Vinnie: Kerry won't win without being defensive

August 26, 2016

Dublin's Vinnie Murphy.
©INPHO.

Vinnie Murphy believes Kerry will have to go against their instincts and adopt a defensive approach against Dublin.

The Dublin legend, who represented the Kerry hurlers during a three-year spell in the Kingdom, is quoted in the Irish Times as saying: "I feel Kerry have to play defensive. I don't see them going 15 on 15, because of Dublin's natural pace. But playing defensive won't suit Kerry. It's not in their psyche, it goes against the grain. Last year was proof of that.

It's not the way they're brought up, where players get a ball at underage level and they keep the head up passing the ball rather than get stuck in to win breaking ball and drive through tackles.

"I feel Sunday will either go one of two ways. Dublin will either beat them comfortably, or Kerry go for the jugular. As they say down there, 'hammer the hammer'.

"I'd expect them to play target men inside and have James O'Donoghue and Darren O'Sullivan at centre-forward and play everyone back and launch balls in to get Dublin on the counter-attack. If Kerry keep it tight, be brave and bold as they can be, playing with one sweeper, they can put it up to Dublin. But I still think it's Dublin's to win."


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