Kerry beat Donegal in All-Ireland football final: reaction, analysis and player ratings
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RTÉ News
25 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Enda McGinley: Zonal defence will win you 80-90% of games
And so the curtain has come down on a championship season where the new playing rules have certainly enriched the game of Gaelic football. In last year's All-Ireland final, Armagh scored 1-11 as they won a second title. On Sunday, with the opportunity now there to enhance your score via two-pointers, Kerry registered 1-26 in overcoming Donegal, so delivering a 39th Sam Maguire success for the aristocrats of the code. The zonal defence deployed by Jim McGuinness's side did not result in the frustration of a Kerry side who signalled their forward-thinking approach right from the off. By the 20th minute, the Kingdom were nine points to the good. The game was effectively over. The last play of the opening half saw Kerry with possession, while Donegal stuck rigidly to their defensive structure. In a split second. Paudie Clifford played the ball to his brother David, who just as quick had broken free from his marker Brendan McCole. A two-pointer from the latter was the outcome. Kerry tails were up as they headed for the dressing room; Donegal, quite simply, deflated. Speaking on the latest edition of the RTÉ GAA Podcast, Enda McGinley had his say on the approach deployed by Jim McGuinness's men. "The zonal defensive approach certainly had its limitations exposed on a huge stage yesterday," he said. In essence, football's new world is making it harder for defenders, with the Tyrone All-Ireland winner adding: "Equally, the man-to-man defence can be torn apart with these new rules probably even quicker than the zonal defence. "The quality of football that Kerry played in that first 19 minutes would tear apart pretty much whatever defensive strategy you want to do. The only way of trying to defeat that, when a team has that form and that artillery, is to win primary possession in midfield and not give it away. "If you're out there competing in midfield, you're limiting the attacking options of your opponents." "You can't not park the bus and I think we're all the better for it" A case then of best-laid plans getting you so far, with McGinley stating: "Against the vast majority of club teams and county teams for that matter, the zonal defence as Donegal and Armagh have shown is highly effective and will win you 80-90% of games. Does it have its problems? Yes. And so does the man-to-man. There is no easy solution. "Jim McGuinness said in Killarney (for league game against Kerry) at the start of the year 'you can't defend with these new rules'. I think that's the key. There is no full-proof way, you can't park the bus and I think we're all the better for it. We're all now admiring the skills of players and we're all the better for it." The lack of a defined interpretation as to what is a tackle also makes life difficult for defenders, according to Ciarán Whelan, who also contributed to this week's podcast. The former Dublin asked a pertinent question. "Does anybody know what a tackle is?" The lack of a clear answer only adds to the frustration for players, he feels. "It depends on the referee and a lot of players will play the referee depending on how far he's letting the bar go on the tackle. Both teams yesterday probably felt aggrieved on some of the tackles. You see very few one-on-one turnovers because there is a nervousness of committing to the tackle. "You can be heavily punished for an innocuous tackle outside the arc. Defining the tackle is a frustration for supporters and players. How do you apply it? I don't know whether it's something the FRC ever looked at.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Kerry chairman optimistic Jack O'Connor will remain in charge for 2026
Kerry chairman Patrick O'Sullivan is optimistic Jack O'Connor will remain on for a fifth season in charge in 2026 despite the All-Ireland winning manager's intimations he will be stepping down. O'Connor has yet to make a decision on his future but has indicated this fourth year of his third term in charge will be his last. Asked about his future on Sunday, he said: 'I was going out the door Thursday evening with the with the bag and my missus [Bridie] took a picture of me going out the gate. And I already know that'll be up on the wall, that was my last, so I'd say no, she'll be framing that one.' However, O'Sullivan believes the five-time All-Ireland SFC manager will stay on next season as Kerry look to win a 40th All-Ireland SFC and there will be conversations had in the coming weeks. 'Jack has given a lifetime's service to the association in Kerry with his club and the county,' said O'Sullivan. 'At the start of the year, Jack was edging that way (stepping down) but winning yesterday and with the backing of the players I think Jack will stay on for another year. 'That's a discussion we will have over the next couple of weeks. What is best for Kerry will happen. Jack is an honorable man, he has been and it's a discussion for us going forward.' Sunday's victory marked a third All-Ireland title won during the chairmanship of O'Sullivan, who was also at the helm in 2014 and '22. He pointed to the pain suffered by players in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to would-be champions Armagh last July. 'I'll be honest, going into the All-Ireland final Jimmy McGuinness spoke about the hurt of 11 years ago. In the 11 years since, we had lost three All-Ireland finals and won one so we had hurt ourselves. Kerry County Board chairman Patrick O'Sullivan brings the Sam Maguire cup out of the dressing-room. Pic: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile. 'We had a direction where we wanted to go and when we were beaten by Armagh last year, it was the toughest pill we had to swallow for a long time. From that game, there were conversations among the people in the leadership group in the team and they drove it on and those fellas who spoke were leaders on the pitch.' The Kerry players, management and board officials left Dublin before lunch-time on Monday to visit sponsors Kerry Group headquarters in Naas. They were then travelling by train from Sallins to Rathmore for the beginning of their homecoming, which will culminate in Tralee this evening.
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Danny Healy-Rae has slept on it and decided he won't make complaint about 'shove' from garda
KERRY TD DANNY Healy-Rae no longer plans to make a formal complaint about being 'shoved' by a member of the gardaí while he was in Dublin for the All-Ireland football final yesterday. Multiple videos shared widely online show the Independent TD appearing to be pushed by a member of An Garda Síochána ahead of yesterday's final between Donegal and Kerry. Healy-Rae told a number of news publications yesterday that he intended to make a formal complaint to gardaí about the alleged incident, but speaking to The Journal today the TD said he has decided against doing so. In the most widely shared video, Healy-Rae is seen walking between a large crowd of Kerry supporters just off O'Connell Street. As he passes through, he lifts his arms to the crowds, encouraging them to cheer before appearing to be pushed by a passing garda. Healy Rae-then turns back towards the garda and the pair exchange words before Healy-Rae walks off as the garda follows. Boos are heard from the Kerry supporters throughout the exchange. Speaking to The Journal this morning, Healy-Rae said he was 'upset' yesterday evening when it happened. Advertisement 'There was no need for it and all that, it would be nice if he apologised but I'm going no further with it. Let his superiors deal with it. I'm doing no more,' the Independent TD said. 'I don't know what his problem was, what his story is or what excuse he had. I don't know,' Healy-Rae said, adding that he thinks the gardaí in general did an excellent job yesterday. 'I've been shoved and pushed before and I'm alright today. Look, he was wrong, all the rest of the guards are fine and always have been.' The TD said it was a good day for Kerry in the end yesterday. 'We have the best team in the country and have had for a while,' he said. 'They really deserved this… especially the supporters. The support they had there yesterday was magnificent.' When The Journal sought a comment from the gardaí in relation to the incident a spokesperson responded: 'Anyone who wishes to report the conduct of a member of An Garda Síochána is entitled to make a complaint to the independent policing ombudsman, Fiosrú.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
