Latest news with #ShaunPatton
Irish Times
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Joe O'Connor's talent comes through after early injury setbacks in Kerry career
The goal was a fitting final flourish to what had been a dream-like season for Kerry 's Joe O'Connor. In the dying seconds of Sunday's All-Ireland SFC final, O'Connor skipped by a Jamie Brennan tackle in front of the Hill 16 goal, eyed Shaun Patton and drilled the ball to the back of the Donegal net. The stadium erupted. The job done. It was his second goal of the summer – his first coming against Cork in the Munster semi-final. 'I actually was getting a good few goal chances during the season but I had to work on it because in the Tyrone game I was ballooning them over the bar and stuff, so I actually worked on it for the last few weeks and was chatting a good bit to the keepers and stuff,' says O'Connor. READ MORE What a performance it's been from Joe O'Connor👏 Sealing it with a goal 🏐 — BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) 'But it was a rush of blood really, I just had a pop. It was class feeling, at the Hill and just the way the game was probably over at that stage as well, it was very special.' The final whistle sounded seconds later, bringing an end to what was a special season for 25-year-old O'Connor, who despite making his championship debut in 2022 became something of an overnight sensation this summer. He started all nine of Kerry's championship games and the former Munster rugby player is almost certain to pick up an All Star before the year is out. But his story is one of resilience and perseverance. After starring for county champions Austin Stacks in 2021, O'Connor was nominated by his club to captain Kerry in 2022. However, it was a tricky season for O'Connor who suffered a knee injury in a Munster club final defeat to St Finbarr's of Cork in January and ultimately he had to be satisfied with coming in off the bench for Kerry that season. He was introduced in injury-time of the 2022 All-Ireland final but then in September, O'Connor suffered a cruciate knee ligament tear. 'It was a tricky enough year probably being captain and getting token minutes and getting probably five or six minutes off the bench, it was just a weird enough position for me,' he recalls. 'But I always kind of knew that I wanted to, I wasn't happy with that and I wanted to break in, and I just felt like I wouldn't stop until I would be a starter. I wanted to be a starter and try to be a big player.' Donegal's Hugh McFadden and Kerry's Joe O'Connor. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho The cruciate injury could have been a terminal setback but instead O'Connor used the time away from the pitch to work on other areas of his preparation while also trying to enjoy the downtime. 'I got to focus on other things as well. I was able to go off travelling for a month, I remember my brother's stag for his wedding that you'd never probably be able to go on. So those were things you were able to appreciate. 'I tried to flip it into a positive as much as I could. Then being able to train and get into as the best shape possible in your own routine, that was huge as well.' O'Connor's aerial ability and physical presence in the middle third made him an invaluable player for Kerry this year, but when he looked inside the sight of David Clifford looking for possession made his decision-making easier. 'His ceiling is so high. He's absolutely unbelievable player and a top man as well, so we're just lucky to have him, same with Seánie, Paudie, people double up on David, you've Seánie free or Paudie free. It's just the options we have.' O'Connor is now a two-time All-Ireland senior football championship winner. 'It's very special, to be honest. There's probably an expectation down in Kerry that you should be winning plenty of them but we know that's not the case, you have to just work so hard every year. 'You're never entitled to them so we just really appreciate them. It's so hard to win them and that's what makes it so special.'
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Éamonn Fitzmaurice: A Kerry tactical masterpiece seals Jack's royal flush
Kerry have a habit of winning the historically significant All-Irelands. The centenary final in 1984, the Millennium final in 2000, the 125th in 2009 and now the first final under the new rules. It was a total footballing performance from an exceptional group of footballers, guided by an expert management team. As well as winning everything possible this year, in another Jack Slam, the connection between the team and the Kerry supporters has been consequential and magical. When David Clifford asked for support after the Cavan game in Killarney the Kerry public answered the call with gusto. They have backed the team to the hilt since, and it counts. In return the players and management have delivered three outstanding Croke Park performances to win a memorable All-Ireland. This All-Ireland win was delivered with a total footballing display, enabled by a tactical masterclass and underpinned by workrate. Over the course of the match, Kerry won 15 breaking balls at kickout time. Many of those were from the feared Shaun Patton long-range missile that is flicked on to cause consternation. Kerry were ready for it and read it time and again. Critically the breaking ball men were always in the right position to challenge for it. They also forced 15 turnovers with their tackling. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Take us with you this summer. Annual €130€65 Best value Monthly €12€6 / month
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Donegal player ratings: How Jim McGuinness' men fared in All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry
Here are the Donegal player ratings from today's All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry. Shaun Patton – 6
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Donegal player ratings: Conor O'Donnell impresses at both ends but key men fail to make impact
1. Shaun Patton (St Eunan's) Donegal lost seven of their own kick-outs in the first half, but Patton's success rate improved in the second half. Had no chance for Kerry's late goal. Rating: 5 2. Finnbarr Roarty (Naomh Conaill) After a terrific season he was lost in the swamp of Donegal's zonal defence, like so many others. Had a shot blocked down in the first half. Rating: 5 3. Brendan McCole (St Naul's ) Having picked up trophy scalps all summer this was a bridge too far. Was taken for six scores by David Clifford, three of which were two pointers. Rating: 5 4. Péadar Mogan (St Naul's) Kept going manfully until the end but Donegal have been using their corner backs to launch counterattacks all season and it never materialised here. Rating: 5 READ MORE Ryan McHugh of Donegal in action against Kerry's Brian Ó Beaglaoich during the all-Ireland final. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho 5. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar) Went off injured five minutes into the second half but didn't have his customary influence on the play before that. Not alone in his struggles. Rating: 5 6. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs) Paid attention to Seán O'Shea without being his shadow. On that score he just about survived. Didn't handle much ball and was replaced with 12 minutes to go. Rating: 6 7. Coalan McColgan (Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin) When the Kerry attack was rampant in the first half he suffered like everybody else in the Donegal defence. The game passed him by and was replaced at half-time. Rating: 4 20. Caolan McGonagle (Buncranna) Pitched into centrefield in a deviation from published line-up. He kicked a first-half point but Donegal struggled around in the middle, especially in the first half. Rating: 6 Donegal's Michael Langan in action against Joe O'Connor of Kerry. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho 9. Michael Langan (St Michael's) Donegal needed a big game from him but he didn't deliver against a Kerry centrefield pairing that nobody would have envisaged at the start of the season. Rating: 5 10. Shane O'Donnell (St Eunan's) Kicked a point in each half and when Kerry had the ball he was often the player standing closest to Paudie Clifford, without ever laying a finger on him. Rating: 6 11. Ciarán Thompson (Naomh Conaill) Picked up an injury running through on goal after 20 minutes and was forced off a few minutes later. Had struggled to get into the game up to that point but a significant loss. Rating: 5 12. Ciarán Moore (St Eunan's) His dynamism had been one of the brightest features of Donegal's play this season and had been brilliant in the semi-final, but he couldn't make any impression here. Rating: 5 13. Conor O'Donnell (Carndonagh) Probably Donegal's most effective player. Kicked four points, two in each half, and made a terrific goal-line save when David Clifford rolled a shot past Patton. Rating: 8 Donegal's Michael Murphy in action during the All-Ireland final against Kerry. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho 14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly) After a slow start, he kicked two points in succession from play during Donegal's only productive spell in the first half. Couldn't get his hands on the ball in the final quarter. Rating: 6 15 Oisín Gallen (Seán Mac Cumhaills) Kicked three points from as many shots in the opening 22 minutes when Donegal were hanging on by their fingernails. Was sacrificed for fresh legs late on. Rating: 7 Substitutes Jason McGee made a big difference around the middle when he came on at half-time. Of the other subs, Daire Ó Baoill kicked a point and Paddy McBrearty missed two chances. Rating: 6 Management Donegal's zonal defence was cut to shreds by Kerry and Donegal's failure to tag Paudie Clifford was bewildering. Jim McGuinness and his management team didn't have an in-game solution. Outflanked. Rating: 4
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
The Donegal players, their bench and management team assessed
A closer look at Donegal's starting 15, the substitutes, and their management ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland SFC final 1 Shaun Patton
