Rainbow's Verdict - Football Column Sep. 16

This time of year has come around too quickly yet again and after 63 championship games with much blood, sweat and tears shed it’s the powers of Dublin and Kerry that finally get to compete for the ultimate prize – Sam Maguire.

At the beginning of the year I would have predicted Kerry would be in the final and Dublin were never going to be too far off the mark either given their perfomances of the last few seasons.

Sunday has the makings of an enthralling and exciting game and one I hope will go down in the history books.

Dublin
Its hard to believe that Dublin have not played in or won an All Ireland final since 1995. Will the build up and pressure associated with that statistic be too much for them on Sunday? I hope not. Traditionally Dublin v Kerry finals have been amongst the best finals played over the last 40 years.

This Dublin side have left no stone unturned under Pat Gilroys reign. Some players have been preparing for this day for a considerably longer period than him.

A lot of the Dublin players will state that the hype is just for the fans and that the media circus that follows Dublin before big games will have no affect on the players’ prepartions. However, with so many young footballers on this team Pat Gilroy will have to focus on his man management skills to keep their young soles firmly on the ground.

Without doubt the occassion will affect some players as it did with the Kildare team in 1998. It was our first All Ireland final since 1928 but a crucial difference between us and Dublin’s class of 2011 is that we were hot favourites to win the title. Fortunately for Dublin, Kerry hold this tag on Sunday and for the first time in this year’s championship Dublin are the underdog.

For Dublin, tactics will not change on Sunday. The same defensive system will be deployed against Kerry as it has been for their last five championship games. Rory O’Carroll will pick up Donaghy around the square as expected, which will be one of the duels of the day.

Cian O’Sullivan has shown that he is one of the most promising defenders in the game this year but he likely to have the unenviable task of trying to keep Colm Cooper scoreless. ‘Gooch’ has found top form again in the last number of games and if he brings this form into the final he will have a major bearing on its outcome.

The Dublin half back line to me will have the hardest job facing a half forward line of Declan and Darren O’ Sullivan along with Donnachca Walsh. Added to this is the prospect of Paul Galvin joining the fray at some point and really it is only a question of when?.

However, Dublin’s half back line will be aided by the hard working half forwards, Bryan Cullen and Paul Flynn who themselves have to watch the excellent Tomás Ó Sé and Aidan O’Mahony. Dublin will probably win the midfield battle as they have two powerful and athletic midfielders who will work hard for as long as they can before making way for fresh legs to come in.

Dublin and their management team will see this game being won not only with their starting 15 but with what can be added from the bench.

Alan Brogan, my Footballer of the Year after his outstanding performances in the championship thus far, has developed into a real team player under Pat Gilroy.

Diarmuid Connolly’s inclusion in this game will add to the occassion and I’m gald this young man has the opportunity to play in the ultimate game of every GAA players’ career. His partnership with Bernard Brogan has turned out to be one of the most dangerous this year and Marc Ó Sé and Tom O’ Sullivan will have their toughest task this summer. There will be so many fascinating duels in this final and it has added to the hunger for one of the golden tickets.

It has the potential to be one of the best finals in years.

Kerry
After last year’s disappointment against Down and the injuries and suspensions that dogged them, Kerry were always going to be coming out of the blocks with a purpose in this year’s championship. Their first half performance against Cork in the Munster final earlier this summer was one of the best so far. Such performances makes Kerry a joy to watch and follow.

Kerry are so conditioned to playing in All Ireland finals that the hype will never overcome them and it’s never a cause of concern for Jack O’ Connor.

The talk this week in Kerry has centred on the exclusion of a fit Paul Galvin who many in the Kingdom would have starting instead of Kieran Donaghy, with Declan O’ Sullivan moving into the full forward role.

However, Donaghy and Cooper have always had a special telepathy and understanding , which despite not having been so obvious this season, always has the potential to explode.

Galvin will see game time and yet may even start as far as I am concerned. Kerry’s biggest problem this season has been their centre back position but will Eoin Brosnan pick up Alan Brogan? I think not.

I believe the job is for Killian Young who is more likely to pick Brogan up on the 40. This will leave Eoin Brosnan to mark Barry Cahill who will come out the field as he did against Tyrone and Donegal. The role will suit Brosnan and give him the freedom to attack which comes naturally to him.

The Kerry half back line will have a bit more freedom due to the role of the Dublin duo Cullen and Flynn but Kerry will find it hard to find space in a congested Dublin back line. The Kerry midfield have proven everyone wrong this year with Anthony Maher and Bryan Sheehan providing a successful pairing so few would have predicted.

The core of Kerry’s work comes from their half forward line who have pace, strength and the football ablity to destroy the best of defences. And of all this without Paul Galvin in a starting role! This game wont be won in the first 15 minutes and Dublin will be hoping that a repeat of 2009 is not part of the script. It simply can’t be. I see the game going down to the wire and the players who come off the bench could be the deciding factor in who is lifting Sam Sunday evening.

It will be an extremely tight game but I think the experience Kerry hold at this stage of the championship will carry them across the line again. I would like to wish both teams all the best and may we look forward to a great exhibition of what we love most about football - strength, stamina and a game of open and honest football to close the 2011 GAA calender.

My verdict is Kerry.

FinalIy, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the GAA and all of the ‘Round the Square team and followers for giving me the opportunity to be part of the 2011 championship.

It has been a very enjoyable experience.

Yours in Sport, Anthony Rainbow.