KERRY FORWARD KIERAN Donaghy says the pain of defeat lasts longer than the elation that winning brings and re-issued a statement of intent that the Kingdom will be looking to wrestle back the All-Ireland title in 2012.

The 28-year-old was part of the team which lost out to Dublin in last year’s All-Ireland final and although he is not a fan of dwelling on the bad days, explains that they often stick with you.

“The enjoyment you get out of winning is massive but the ones you lose tend to stay with you a bit longer,” he said, speaking at Setanta Sports offices yesterday.

You’re on a bit of a rollercoaster after you win it but after you lose it makes it that bit harder to deal with things.”

Kerry begin their Allianz National League campaign with a trip to GAA headquarters for a meeting with Dublin and when asked if there was an added incentive to claim a first Sam Maguire in three years,  the Austin Stacks clubman stated that they are hell-bent on winning number 37 – but that it is no different from any other year.

“The level of intent is the same every year. Second is no good in Kerry.

“Whether you win it or lose in the final, semis or quarters the previous year, it just doesn’t matter. The initiative is to try for an All-Ireland and that’s the way it’s been for the last seven or eight years.”

Donaghy went on to discuss the tiny margins between winning and losing and re-iterated his belief that bringing technological advances such as video replays into the game would make life for referees, who have to call contentious decisions in a split second, a little less difficult.

“Unfortunately for referees in our game they don’t have the chance to check back to see if it was a score or a foul,” he said.

“When they miss clear-cut things like fellas picking the ball off the ground or hopping the ball twice with a minute to go in the game and you’ve got a player like Brian Sheehan who could put you up with a free (it’s frustrating).”

Debate

It is a topic which has become increasingly popular to debate in recent years and its introduction would also aid referees with off-the-ball incidents. He pointed at examples such as American football, rugby and tennis and added that every game in Croke Park should make use of their visual screens.

“You eliminate fans getting upset and referees and umpires getting grief after the game. Making decisions in live time isn’t as easy as we think when we’re watching it on television. It often has to be a guess.

It definitely would be an option to bring it in for Croke Park. Whether it’s a hurling division three final or a national league final it’s the biggest game for them two teams. If you’ve got two big screens there, why not use them,” Donaghy added.

“It’s hard to move these things forward when you have to put them through Congress and have a 150 people decide on it. Getting the right decision on the day would be beneficial for players, managers and spectators.”

Setanta begin their live Allianz National League coverage with Dublin v Kerry, Kildare v Tyrone and Down v Donegal on Saturday, February 4

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