ONE OF THE most intriguing aspects of last month’s All-Ireland semi-final clashes between Mayo and Kerry was the Connacht’s side’s decision to drop Aidan O’Shea deep into defence to perform a man-marking job on Kerry’s Kieran Donaghy.
The towering duo, who have both also excelled at basketball, battled it out over both encounters at Croke Park but it was O’Shea who eventually had the last laugh.
In the dying seconds of Mayo’s victory in the replay, Donaghy was shown a red card by referee David Gough for striking O’Shea, as Kerry missed out on a place in this Sunday’s All-Ireland senior football final against Dublin.
Writing in a blog for AIB, Donaghy — who’s backing the Dubs to win “by an inch” this weekend — reflected on his entertaining duel with his Mayo rival.
He said: “Myself and Aidan O’Shea may have been seen smiling away to one another, but the reality was far from that. We were in each other’s faces throughout both games, real physical stuff and when one of us won a ball, we weren’t long in letting the other man know about it.
“Very little of what was said could be printed here but, if you’d recorded it, I’d say RTÉ or even Sky would pay a nice few bob to get a half-hour long show out of it.
“The first day I’d been half-expecting O’Shea to mark me at some stage, but not from the get-go. In the 2014 semi-finals, a couple of high balls worked out for me and really cost Mayo, so I thought what might happen was that if they got a lead, they could throw one of their big men back late on to ensure they weren’t caught again.
“It was good to see that the other team was willing to sacrifice an important player to come back and scrap with me. Early on that first day I got my hand on a bit of ball and was able to lay it off, but I was struck by the reaction of the Mayo crowd the time O’Shea won a big ball.
“Stephen O’Brien sent in a high delivery and I wanted to get up for it, but I felt one hand on my shoulder and O’Shea got his fist to the ball. He then came out with it, and the roar from the Mayo supporters was the very same as if two goals had gone in.
“I learned a lesson from that. From then on, I knew that I had to starve Mayo of that boost so I brought him on a bit of a tour of Croke Park. You can’t give the opposition any sort of juice, you have to find a way around it.”
Regarding his dismissal in the replay, Donaghy said: “In my book, I had a chapter on how you can’t be the reactor in sport, you must be the aggressor. Aidan was the aggressor, and fair play to him, Mayo will need that in spades [on] Sunday.
“I reacted to the dark arts and ended up getting sent off and losing the game. Other than that, it was as enjoyable a season as I’ve had in over 13 years playing with Kerry.”
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A utd thread and the first 5 comments are all ABU….. First season out of the top 4 in almost 20 years and were written off, I suppose when were back in the top 4 we will be accused of “resigning Howard Webb” :-)
I think it’s more the fact that United won last year and this year with the same players they have been shocking! It’s embarrassing to call themselves champions!!
Chin up kev
Every non Man Utd supporter hopes he will be given time.
Arsenal, Chelsea and City have made it interesting? Yes, but does it hurt him that much he can’t even admit Liverpool have been just as impressive? United under Moyes have no chance at winning anything! But I agree, give Moyes time! It’s working wonders for everyone else :)
Damn straight! Give him LOADS of time. Maybe next season they can push for the Europa???
Lets not get ahead of ourselves here. Let them get 6th next season before they even think about Europa. They can dream tho
He did something right though signed Juan Mata
If he fails to beat Olympiacos over the two legs, then it’s time to go. Either look for Jurgen Klopp or someone with true success
Andre Villas Boas is available.
Why would anyone want to go there? Klopp is managing a champions league side and a team that are far better!!
In one way Dave though, Klopp is being pillaged by Bayern Munich. Strategy there seems to be to just buy out the rivals best players!
True, but he has only one team picking off the better players! United have Chelsea, City and even Arsenal getting ahead as the players choices!! And the original statement is still true that United are not as good a team and Klopp would be taking a backward step!!
Two things Dave. 1st off tell me one player Arsenal have signed that United wanted in recent years? Secondly, why would anyone go to Manchester United? If you are seriously asking that question then you know very little about football.
Time to drive them into the ground #lovinit
Love the way Liverpool fans think it’s all lovely and roses in the Liverpool camp, with them doing so well and all, even though the only difference between them and united has been 11 points this season… Hey least united will be in action next Wednesday… I mean is there even a difference between the managers in terms of silverware??? but no, Liverpool to dominate for the next 20 years!!! United to hopefully not be relegated!!!
David Moyes wont last 6 years at Manchester United.
Ok, will settle for 5 :)
I love the way 16 people have red thumbed that comment. If you think United have too much class to sack Moyes you are deluded!
A true united fan clearly. …