‘Storm in a teacup’
O’Mahony has full support of County Board after ‘adverse finding’
by Sylvester Hennessy
Aidan O’Mahony’s Kerry team mate Tommy Griffin, said this week that Salbutamol, a commonly prescribed treatment for asthma, cannot be considered a performance-enhancing drug.
O’Mahony and Griffin both suffer from asthma, and both use Salbutamol to treat the condition via an inhaler. Salbutamol is a widely-used treatment for asthma, but players are only permitted to use the treatment under controlled guidelines.
O’Mahony will become the first ever GAA player to appear before the anti-doping tribunal, after an ‘adverse finding’ for the presence of Salbutamol in a sample was announced on Monday.
O’Mahony has been an asthmatic since birth and was registered as a user of Salbutamol by the Kerry County Board, which moved quickly to support the three-time All-Ireland winner.
Confidence remains high that the the presence of Salbutamol in a sample taken after the All-Ireland Final against Tyrone, was for medicinal or therapeutic reasons.
According to Griffin, the medication has no effect on performance.
“I get a tightening of the chest if I over-exert myself, so I use this prescribed medication.
“It frees your airways. It does not, however, make you run faster or jump higher,” he said.
Kerry County Board said on Monday that O’Mahony’s asthma has been pre-notified to the Sports Council.
“Coiste Chontae Chiarrai and the player are happy to co-operate with the hearing and are confident the player will be exonerated,” a statement read.
O’Mahony also received the full backing of the GAA player’s body, the GPA.
Under Irish anti-doping rules the GAA has suspended the player pending the outcome of an anti-doping hearings committee on the matter.
The O’Mahony case seems to be remarkably similar to that of Munster Rugby player Frankie Sheahan, who was banned for two years in 2003 for illegal use of Salbutamol, only to have the ban reduced to just three months on appeal.
O’Mahony was reported to have engaged Sheahan’s solicitor in advance of his hearing, in what many in Kerry expect will amount to a storm in a teacup.
Kerry U21 and Minors face tough openers
By Sylvester Hennessy
All Ireland u21 champions Kerry face the most difficult of opening games next season in their defence of both their Munster and All Ireland crowns.
Sean Geaney’s men must travel to Cork on March 14th for a winner takes all clash. This fixture will clash with the proposed National League home tie with Mayo and will pose further logistical problems for incoming Kerry senior manager Jack O’Connor.
The winner of this clash will face Waterford in the semi-final a week later with the Munster final fixed for Marc 28th.
Meanwhile John Kennedy’s Kerry minors are faced with an opening tie against Tipperary in a repeat of last year’s dramatic Munster Final clashes on April 15th. The winners of this tie will then meet the winners of the Waterford/Clare clash in the semi-final, which should present the Kerry manager with an easier route to the Munster final.
The draw opens up the possibility of a Cork/Kerry Munster final due to be played on July 5th.
The full draw is as follows:
ESB Munster Minor Football Championship
Quarter Finals – April 15th. 2009.
A Kerry v Tipperary
B Clare v Waterford
C Cork v Limerick
Semi Final Play Off 1 – 20th. April 2009.
D Losers of B (Clare or Waterford) v Losers of C (Cork or Limerick)
Semi Final Play Off 2 – 25th. April 2009.
E Winners of D (Semi Final Play Off 1) v Losers of A (Kerry or Tipperary)
Semi Finals – 13th. May 2009.
F Winners of A (Kerry or Tipperary) v Winners of B (Clare or Waterford)
G Winners of C (Cork or Limerick) v Winners of E (Semi Final Play Off 2)
Final – July 5th. 2009
Hurling championship reverts to knock out
By Sylvester Hennessy
The structure of the AIB senior hurling championship will revert to straight knock out in 2009 after a meeting of the hurling clubs and members of the County Board decided to restore the preferred knock out format as opposed to the back door system that was in place this season.
There will however be a new emphasis on the importance of the County League as County Board Chairman Jerome Conway explained when he spoke to Kerry’s Eye.
“ The clubs have decided to revert back to knock out and as always we accede to their collective wishes. In 2009 the top 4 teams of the County League will be seeded in a quarterfinal draw and the remaining clubs will go into the other hat alongside South Kerry. This will hopefully give the County League more credibility in the future.”
Jerome Conway also revealed this week that Kerry would not compete in the Munster Minor or u21 championship in 2009.
“After consultation with the minor management it was decided that the team would not benefit from a large defeat like the one suffered against Waterford last season. Instead we have applied to participate in the Cork Minor Premier competition to give us competitive games. This we feel would be ideal preparation for the All Ireland B minor championship.”
Kerry will open their 2009 senior inter county campaign as early as January 4th when Pat Heffernan’s charges take on Waterford IT in the first round of the Waterford Crystal Cup. A decision also remains on the appointment of the new Kerry u21 hurling manager with outgoing manager Brendan O’Mahony thought to be considering his options.
AIB County Senior Football Championship Final
Moran magic mesmerises Mid Kerry
Kerins O’Rahillys 2-8 Mid Kerry 2-8
By Sylvester Hennessy
In some ways this could well go down as the most important county final of the decade. Prior to the final, many in the Kingdom greeted the imminent departure of David Moran and Tommy Walsh to Australia for trials with Aussie Rules side St Kilda’s with despair.
The prospect of losing either or both of the most talented young footballers in the country to the Aussie Rules game was a matter of huge concern for all. The advent of a replay in two weeks time may well be a blessing in disguise and it may also encourage the Tralee duo to forgo their travels for this season at the very least.
Jack O’Connor will no doubt be quite happy too.
Not only will he have been delighted with the fighting qualities displayed by his Kerins O’Rahilly’s side once more, he will also relish the two week rest that his players badly needed.
But last and not least is the very real prospect that he will be able to persuade his two young stars to postpone their Australian adventure.
A replay was also a blessing in disguise for the neutral supporters who must have been thrilled at the prospect of another offering from these two fantastic sides. This was a real spectacle and a great game of football brimful of players with talent and attitude.
The somewhat lenient refereeing of Donal Casey added to the occasion.
His style of only producing cards for severe offences worked and contributed to what was largely a free flowing game. The fact that practically ever player on the pitch had worn the county jersey during their career also shone through in a great advertisement for Kerry football. The game was bereft of any real negativity as both managers asked their teams to go toe-to-toe in a traditional style winner takes all battle.
It is an old and worn out adage, but it rang through on this occasion- neither side deserved to lose this contest.
Mid Kerry raced into a seven point lead and wasted their stranglehold over their opponents. 15 scoring chances to five in the first half was a fair reflection of their dominance in the opening period.
Kerins O’Rahilly’s midfield dominance counted for little as they could not penetrate a very resolute Mid Kerry defence. At the other end of the pitch Kieran Foley could do no wrong and his two goals were real feats of perfect opportunism.
SWITCHES
Jack O’Connor once again showed his tactical brilliance on the sideline however. He moved swiftly and decisively, something that should give all Kerry fans reason for hope in 2009.
Pat Madden was introduced at midfield after twenty minutes for the unlucky Barry John Keane. David Moran relocated to centre forward and Morgan O’Shea was switched in on the danger man Kieran Foley.
With these three switches O’Connor managed to stem the Divisional tide.
Mid Kerry on the other hand began to go backwards and many of their big names disappeared from the game.
They still led by seven points 38 minutes into the contest but a couple of defensive mishaps led to them ultimately surrendering their lead.
There is no doubt that James Sheehan will be more worried than his counterpart Jack O’Connor approaching the replay. Kerins O’Rahilly’s finished much the stronger while major cracks appeared in the Divisional outfit. It may force Mid Kerry into a rethink on their tactics for the replay.
The Tralee side completely dominated the final third of the game, mounting wave after wave of attack.
Benny Quill and Brian Moran had the O’Sullivan’s well and truly in a vice like grip. Kieran Foley saw little of the ball while David Moran and Barry John Walsh were creating havoc up front.
Both Rahilly’s goals were scrambled affairs.
Tommy Walsh had the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net after a fumble by Mike Moriarty. The second goal came courtesy of a finish by Barry John Walsh which would have graced Dalymount Park. He managed to keep his half volley low and his powerfully struck shot billowed the net.
After that David Moran took over and it is incredible to think that all three have yet to reach their 21st birthdays. Sean Geaney, who was present in the ground, must be purring at the prospect of pairing the three Strand Road men together in next year’s Kerry u21 team.
When you add the likes of JB Spillane, Gary Sayers, Paddy Curran, Johnnie Buckley and Jamie Doolan to that list of potential u21 forwards you quickly realise that the Kerry talent line is still in full flow.
Moran’s first point from play was well struck and he then displayed his ability from long range frees with a superb effort that Bryan Sheehan would have been proud of.
It was his final point that will make all the headlines however.
It was an audacious effort that the likes of Mick O’Connell and Maurice Fitzgerald would be proud of. For a long time his attempt from the left hand touch line 45 yards out under the terrace side of the pitch looked to be drifting wide but the ball just crept inside the left hand upright at the final moment.
This dramatic finish sets up a much anticipated replay in two weeks time and Kerins O’Rahilly’s may now be favourites.
They have already displayed against South Kerry that their never say die attitude is difficult to fight.
More importantly they seem to have come up with solutions to counter Mid Kerry. If Kieran Foley is held once more then it is difficult to see where Mid Kerry’s scores will come from. A switch of Donncha Walsh back into the full forward line may yet be necessary. Whatever the outcome there is no doubt that we will be guaranteed another enthralling contest in a thrilling finish to what appears to be a never ending season of football.
Teams and Scorers
Mid Kerry
Mike Moriarty (Beaufort), Aaron Cahillane (Keel), Aidan O’Shea (Glenbeigh/Gcar), Damien Murphy (Milltown/Castlemaine), Fergal Griffin (Glenbeigh/Glencar), Ciaran Kelliher (Milltown/Cmaine), Joe McGillycuddy (Glenbeigh/Gcar), Mike Burke (Milltown/Cmaine), Donncha Walsh (Cromane), Gary Sayers (Keel), Darren O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Gcar) (0-4, 3f), Sean O’Sullivan (Cromane) (0-1), Liam Sheehan (Keel), Donal Kelliher (Milltown/Cmaine) (0-1), Kieran Foley (Keel) (2-2,1f). Subs: Shane Murphy (Milltown/Cmaine) for Liam Sheehan, for Damien Breen (Beaufort) D Kelliher, Colin McKenna (Milltown/Cmaine) for Fergal Griffin, Eanna O’Malley (Beaufort) for C Kelliher.
Kerins O’Rahilly’s
Garry Kissane Danny O’Sullivan, Morgan O’Shea, Giles O’Grady Benny Quill, Brian Moran, Gavin Duffy, David Moran (0-4, 1f, 1’45), Micheál Quirke, John O’Connor (0-1,1f), Barry John Keane, Timmy O’Sullivan, Declan Quill (0-1, 1f), Tommy Walsh (1-0), Barry John Walsh (1-2). Subs: Pat Madden for Barry John Keane
Referee: Donal Casey (Scartaglin)
Man of the Match
David Moran (Kerins O’Rahillys)
A wonderful second half performance by the young Kerry star culminated in a superb equalising score.
Moran displayed maturity beyond his years and grabbed the final by the scruff of the neck at the vital period of the game. While most of this week’s focus fell on Tommy Walsh’s impending visit to Australia the loss of Moran would be equally catastrophic for Kerry football. With Jack O’Connor at the helm in 2009 there is no doubt that both Moran and Walsh would be at the forefront of Kerry’s challenge.