RTE pundit Joe Brolly has likened the current crop of Kerry players as the ‘new Donegal’ and has lamented them for their style of play and their obsession with defensive football.
Brolly was full of praise for Dublin, and also singled out Armagh club giants Crossmaglen for refusing to be dragged into implementing defensive systems.
He said both teams stick rigidly to their principles of playing attacking football, positive football, football the former Derry players describes as ‘real football’.
However, the passionate Gael is very worried about the state of his beloved GAA, and feels fear is absolutely killing the game.
In his column with The Sunday Independent, Brolly wrote about how Paul Mannion’s goal filled him with a sense of delight and euphoria,
Broly wrote, “Donegal’s mindset was one that has become engrained by the repetition of a negative, rules-based game plan.
“Mannion noticed a gap and sped through it. The Donegal defenders gave chase, but not at full speed, as they clearly expected him to do what any Donegal forward would do in that situation, hold the ball up, turn and wait for a colleague to come in support.
“You will notice them running after him, looking over their shoulders to watch for the support players. That hesitation was all Mannion needed. While they were following deeply engrained rules, he was playing football. Another sidestep and he was away.
“The keeper, looking to his last protection, frantically tried to close down the space. Mannion, head up, sped towards him and slotted it beautifully to the net. It was a great moment. I was sitting amongst supporters from various teams, mostly Donegal, and couldn’t help myself. I jumped up in my seat and punched the air.
“Sorry about that, lads,” I said to the Donegal ones.
“Ah you’re right Joe,” said one of them, “we don’t deserve to win playing like that.”
Brolly was also critical of Kerry and their manager Eamon Fitzmaurice, describing their All-Ireland finals in 2014, and 2015 as the most unmemorable in the history of the game.
Brolly wrote, “Kerry are the new Donegal. Half-forwards are defenders now. Midfielders are defenders. The obsession with defending has left them without a forward plan, just a hope that Geaney and O’Donoghue can work their magic.
“That 2013 semi-final was probably the greatest game of football I have ever seen. As I sit here, the 2014 and 2015 finals are impossible to remember, save for that Paul Durcan kickout. I watched their minors against Derry a fortnight ago and marveled at their skill and courage.
“Hopefully, Fitz will be gone before they come through, otherwise they will be toiling in the blanket defence, hand passing and soloing.
“Two paths diverging. The future of the games at stake. Which one will we take?”
