Kevin McStay column: Time waits for no-one - not even in Kerry
March 24, 2010Their default position with the bookmakers is that of favourites and a bit like Manchester United in the Premiership the last decade has been one of great success. We know the people in charge of setting the odds do not do sentiment so we must accept they base the future on what has happened in the past. It's as good a measuring stick as any other.
And yet there are events and developments that point to a season ahead for the Kerry men that will test them to their core. Teams like Cork, Tyrone, Galway and one or two others will have examined those events and noted the losses Kerry have suffered post September 2009. Those teams might figure the title this year is up for grabs.
Only five months have passed since Kerry walked away from the scene of their latest All Ireland victory. The team and Cup had only just begun their ritual tour of the county when Tadhg Kennelly launched his book telling us all how Kerry go about winning these championships. But there was a problem - he forgot to scan the proofs and so the book found its way into the public domain complete with bits and pieces most Kerry people found a little embarrassing.
And then they had to deal with Tommy Walsh joining the Australian Football League and by early winter the current champions were down two of the key players from their win over Cork. Kennelly and Walsh were headed for Australia - the former making a dramatic return to those shores and the young cub hopeful of a dramatic introduction.
Later, Diarmuid Murphy decided to retire and one of the finest goalkeepers of the past decade is no longer available to the Green and Gold. Throw in the departure of Bryan Sheehan, Sean O'Sullivan and finally the tin hat on matters, Darragh O Se announced his stepping down also. Tom O'Sullivan is said to be thinking about his football future too and Aidan O'Mahony has had a real dip in form.
It might well be the beginning of the end for this magnificent panel - it seems almost impossible to believe a team can take the loss of these key contributors and still mount a defence in 2010. But if football history tells us anything it is that this county don't do famines and it is highly unlikely the barren years of 1987 to 1996 (both inclusive!) will be repeated. But it might be a few years before we see them on the Hogan Stand again.
Kerry dominated the past decade in terms of consistency and yet many consider Tyrone a better team. Kerry have made it to the quarter final every year since they were introduced and took 50% of the available All Irelands on offer in that time. They reached most of the other finals too! And that is why they are the team to beat - every year. With star attackers like Declan O'Sullivan, Paul Galvin and The Gooch Cooper to call upon and the other O Se lads well up for the contest they have more than most when it comes to a solid foundation.
But the Darragh O Se retirement is a massive loss. While it is sometime since he was at his peak he was a big leader in this team, a player with a big personality who had his own way of doing things. He was multi-talented and those talents made him multi-decorated. Six All Ireland medals, three National Leagues titles and another three All Stars awards on top of that point to a career spent close to and predominantly at, the top. When he looks back he will have few regrets: he was a favourite with Kerry fans because he could mix It on the football field; he had his opinions on Kerry football, footballers and managers and was not slow to reveal them. And he enjoyed the successes unlike many players for whom the enjoyment and satisfaction of winning appears too much.
O Se will surely rue the loss of the Club final to Caltra. My own theory on that defeat is that the time of year one needs to peak is simply not acceptable to Kerry footballers. If they win it so be it but under no circumstances will the county prospects be put at risk for a club title. The Gaeltacht club expected to beat Caltra even though the work was not done in the training fields and O Se and his team mates paid the ultimate price. I imagine that will be a regret.
And bolted on to that defeat will be the defeats suffered at the hands of the Ulster boys - especially the finals. But these are only bumps along a road that spanned one and a half decades and O Se leaves the arena having won a lot more than he lost a rare boast for any sports man. His breakthrough year was 1997 and from then on he sipped regularly from the Sam Maguire Cup. While injury, age and suspensions limited his contribution in his last years he will always be remembered for his power and strength, his magnificent fielding ability, his athleticism, soft hands, skill on the solo run and his excellent kicking ability. His accuracy was very decent also and he contributed to the scoreboard most days.
Who will replace him? Can he be replaced? We asked the same questions when Jack O'Shea togged in for good and no doubt the questions were asked when Mick O'Connell left the stage too. The successor is not obvious just now but we can be sure he is out there somewhere in the fields of Kerry, waiting patiently to prove himself worthy of the great Kerry midfield dynasty. Tweet
