Bans for Drogs fans after row
DROGHEDA United have issued a number of bans varying in length to supporters involved in an altercation with Dundalk fans following last week’s Louth Derby at Oriel Park.
Trouble broke out in front of ‘The Shed’ following the Lilywhites’ 4-2 victory over their neighbours in the League of Ireland Premier Division, a result which leaves Drogheda five points adrift of Dundalk at the bottom of the table.
The sides clash again at Weavers Park in Drogheda in the FAI Cup this Friday.
Ahead of that fixture, Drogheda chairperson Joanna Byrne said the club have issued “varying degrees of sanctions, ranging from three indefinite longterm bans to several rest of season and multiple match bans”.
She said: “Firstly, all involved in Drogheda United apologise to everyone in attendance at Friday’s match for witnessing and having to endure the unsavoury behaviour at the end.
Footage
“I accept there were multiple fans of ours involved and having successfully identified them through the outpouring of footage sent to us from fans, TV crews and sports journalists, I have tonight met with those involved and issued varying degrees of sanctions, ranging from three indefinite long-term bans to several rest of season and multiple match bans.”
THE Kerry post-mortem is already well under way.
How did they go from heavy favourites for the All-Ireland, with Dublin out of the equation, to being dumped out of the Championship by Armagh?
Among the nonsense is the bizarre wade in on David Clifford from an element, which implies he should kick them to victory every single day.
Or the Clifford brothers coming back too early after a long three years with club, county and divisional sides.
Most of it is nonsense. There are two primary reasons they lost. The first revolves around the four second-half goal chances in the game.
Kerry had three at the start of the half and converted one. Armagh got one and nailed it.
Four goal chances. Three went with Armagh. One went with Kerry. If one more had gone in Kerry’s favour, it would probably have been enough.
For Kerry’s first goal chance, Joe O’Connor and Tom O’Sullivan might have made different decisions, recycled to David Clifford for a point and a healthy 0-11 to 0-7 lead on 40 minutes.
Then on 42 minutes with four points still in it, O’Sullivan poked wide under considerable pressure from Paddy Burns.
Had one of these chances hit the net it’s unlikely Armagh would have closed the gap.
Up to then, Kerry were in control, their shooting 10 from 12 in the first half, way ahead of Armagh, and their defensive pressure also at a higher level.
When their goal did arrive, on 47 minutes it was 1-11 to
0-9, and it looked ominous for Armagh.
But the fourth goal chance after with KARL O’KANE
the break fell to Armagh and Barry McCambridge showed great presence of mind to stoop and punch home his second goal in two games.
Shane Ryan has been outstanding, but he should have caught the high ball he spilled for the McCambridge goal that put just a point in it.
It wasn’t all luck either as Armagh’s Jason Duffy intercepted Ryan’s short kick out and McCambridge did what so many players don’t. He followed inside and made his own luck.
The goal lifted Armagh and they dominated the final 20 minutes and extra-time.
Derry looked tired when they met Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final and didn’t appear to have the energy to mount a fight in the final quarter.
Break
Derry were on their third championship game in 15 days. Kerry came in off a fortnight’s break.
Kerry were fresh, but they weren’t road tested after romping home against Monaghan, Louth and Meath in the AllIreland group stages.
Armagh, on the other hand, were well road-tested by encounters like the Ulster Final loss to Donegal, the All-Ireland qualifiers against Derry and Galway and the quarter-final versus Roscommon.
They were also fresh, after a two week break.
David Clifford looked to be struggling with cramp late on.
Armagh’s bench was also key. Jarly Óg Burns made a huge impact, with Burns, Ross McQuillan and Oisin O’Neill all hitting big points.
The Kerry bench, bar Cillian Burke didn’t have the same impact they had against Derry.
For Kerry, the All-Ireland group stage draw was something they couldn’t do anything about.
One thing they can alter is their style of play and tactics.
As always, the overriding thing with Kerry is that with their culture and quality of player — particularly with Dublin seemingly on the wane — it only takes small tweaks to get it right.
Less focus on the opposition, which was almost at obsessive levels against a weakened Derry.
A few tactical switches. David Clifford to 11 for spells. Paudie Clifford to wing forward. Sean O’Shea to midfield will come up again. A number six that attacks more.
Hold more men up for longer spells and trust their defence. Challenge more opposition kick-outs.
With three forwards like the aforementioned Kerry should be dictating the terms of engagement.
Kicking isn’t easy in the modern game, but the Kingdom boys still kick better than anyone else.
Their defensive play and structure has improved immeasurably, and it helped them to back to back All-Ireland finals, winning one.
Tweaks
It’s in the locker now, but with three years playing a similar system, expect a few tweaks next year, whoever the manager and coaches are.
None of this lost Kerry the 2024 All-Ireland — it was goal chances (and the piece of luck around them) and more battle hardened opponents — but some of it might be enough to help them win it in 2025.