Aaron Kernan on Football

Could Kerry show composure in a claustrophobic environment to eventually overcome Tyrone in Croke Park when it mattered most?

Could Tyrone stifle the Kerry attack and hurt them with blistering counter attacks to keep their winning run over the Kingdom going at HQ?

As a neutral on Sunday I was amazed at how absorbed I became in the contest. I was on the edge of my seat throughout like it was my own county I was watching.

It actually reminded me of the incredible 2005 All-Ireland semi-final between Armagh and Tyrone in which I played in. What sticks out for me about that game was how intense it was, so much so that the passion from the stands actually seemed to affect events on the field. I got a similar vibe when watching last Sunday.

From the throw-in, the game took flight like no one expected with five points kicked in the first five minutes. No time to sit back and second guess the opponent. Both teams ripped into the contest with huge intensity and physicality all over the field and relentless pressure was put on the ball carrier as soon as they entered the opposition half in particular.

All Ireland semi-finals are all about winning. The game took quite a while for both teams to find some sort of pattern to their play, and truth be told neither team managed to hit their full potential on the day, but that did not take away from an enjoyable spectacle. In fact the misplaced passes, unforced turnovers and missed opportunities all added to the excitement.

When Mark Bradley kicked a superb score off his left foot in the 62nd minute to draw the sides level it looked like history was about to repeat itself. Tyrone had kicked the last three scores and momentum had firmly swung in their favour.

That momentum was short-lived as Anthony Maher showed exceptional composure and skill to ghost in behind the Tyrone defence to kick a terrific score from an acute angle and put his side back in front in the 63rd minute.

However, when Mickey Harte and his squad look back on the passage of play leading up to Maher's point, they will be bitterly disappointed with themselves as four Tyrone players allowed themselves to be drawn around Colm Cooper 50 metres from their goal. Two quick passes later and Maher was on his way towards the Tyrone goal to put Kerry back into a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Tyrone had sufficient numbers in defence to deal with any potential danger but overeagerness or fatigue kicked in, leading to a lack of communication which allowed Maher to find the open ground.

Kerry now find themselves back in yet another All Ireland final, their eleventh in total since 2000. Given the time, effort and money being put in by competing counties, Kerry's level of consistency is remarkable.

The thing about the Kerry lads is that at the end of the season, they can be the life and soul of any party. I've met them on nights out and they have a great ability to just switch off from football and relax when that's the thing to do. They can put things in their right place and enjoy the moment. And when the time comes to get serious again, they just do it and don't fade out like many other teams tend to do.

They have become the first defending champions since their 2008 side to reach a second successive final and they are now in a strong position to win back to back All Ireland titles for only the second time in 25 years.

Everyone loves to see successful teams having their wings clipped and that applies with Kerry as much as any. However, you cannot but admire the hunger and passion they continuously show for the green and gold jersey year after year. Their desire to continuously raise the bar and write themselves into their county's history is inspiring.

Every so often a new team emerges to win All Irelands. They'll be talented, fit, strong, hungry and self-motivated but somehow these effects are short lasting and within a few years they'll burn out and small set-backs, physically or psychologically, are enough to erode their confidence.

On a smaller scale I have been very fortunate to have been brought up in a similar culture to Kerry at club level with Crossmaglen Rangers. From childhood I have idolised the teams that have gone before me. Men with natural talent, confidence and composure. Men who worked hard at the correct things with the right guidance from management and who did it time after time after time.

I enjoy reading stories on successful sports people to give myself an insight into their mindset, their motivation, what makes them tick. There are always small lessons to be learned which can be relevant to ourselves and the teams we are involved with.

I've enjoyed books by Ronan O'Gara and by AFL player Nathan Buckley, while one book I have enjoyed reading a number of times is that of Kerry legend Páidi Ó Sé.

"I have always been driven by winning," he wrote. "Skill, courage, fitness, intelligence and passion are vital components, but rarely can any one be isolated if the end - victory - is to be achieved.

"Quite often I have been painted as a blindly passionate footballer, but this is misleading. As a player I never stopped working on the basic skills. As a manager I've never stopped looking for them in players.

"The successful footballer's journey is endless, he's never satisfied with the last victory, they must go again. More often than not it is the defeats that are remembered in finer detail than the victories. Forego the chance to seize the once-off moment and reap the rewards that collective success will bring in time".

I understand what he means here. For me the best part of winning something meaningful has been the hour or so afterwards in the changing rooms with only teammates and management. Sitting back, savouring the buzz and excitement all around, knowing that all the effort and sacrifices were worth it.

However it is always short lived. No matter what the occasion, it isn't long into the journey home before the anxiety kicks in of having to do it all again the following year and trying to retain the title.

For Kerry a September date with either Mayo or Dublin awaits. There is no guarantees the back to back All-Ireland titles will be achieved but history shows us regardless of this year's outcome, Kerry will return in 2016 as hungry as ever.

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