Senan Connell: Five talking points ahead of Dublin v Kerry
Sunday 20 September 2015 08:10, UK
Former Dublin forward and Sky Sports pundit Senan Connell looks at five key talking points ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland final...
Classic encounter? Probably not
The 2013 All-Ireland semi-final between Dublin and Kerry was one of the best we've ever seen but both teams have evolved.
Kerry have adjusted defensively since that defeat, and Dublin have added defensive adjustments to fit their attacking style.
I don't expect we are going to see a classic in a shootout sense. For all the talk about Dublin's abilities going forward, they've conceded very few goals this season. And in last year's All-Ireland final, Kerry kept Donegal to just 12 points.
It may well be a tetchy affair, a few early cards flashed and definitely it will be very physical. A tally of 2-11 or 2-12 could be enough to win this final.
Kerry's midfield and Dublin's kick-out
Huge praise has been heaped on the Kerry midfield of David Moran and Anthony Maher. They are the best pairing in the country and this is an area where Kerry have an advantage.
I don't feel it's massive however - Brian Fenton has improved steadily this championship and both Denis Bastick and Michael Darragh Macauley bring experience and athleticism to the middle third.
Will Cian O'Sullivan start? It's a really big call for Jim Gavin, because with a hamstring injury you don't know if it's healed until you go flat out.
We will see a real battle for possession in this area if Kerry push up on Stephen Cluxton's kickouts and force him to go down the middle, or bypass midfield for the half-forward line.
Encouraged by the results this returned against Tyrone, I fully expect Kerry to do this. But from a Dublin perspective I wouldn't be too concerned; Stephen Cluxton is a cool customer and his kick-outs are pin-point accurate. He will put the ball where his players can win it.
Who has the stronger bench and will Cian O'Sullivan start?
Kerry have 28 All-Ireland medals on their bench while Dublin have been feeling the loss of Eoghan O'Gara and Ger Brennan.
Kerry have a small advantage here with Kieran Donaghy, Darran O'Sullivan and Barry John Keane but Dublin have Kevin McManamon and Alan Brogan to come in.
Will Cian O'Sullivan start or be named on the bench? It's a really big call for Jim Gavin, because with a hamstring injury you don't know if it's healed until you go flat out.
The concern for Dublin is the potential effect of having to call O'Sullivan ashore and being forced to adjust so soon. Thorough preparation is the other issue.
Going into an All-Ireland final, the will is to decide early what the team is so everyone knows the plan inside-out.
The distraction of whether a player will start, and how things might change things if he does, is a distraction for players on All-Ireland week. But if O'Sullivan doesn't start, it's a huge boost to Kerry.
Dublin half-backs v Kerry half-forwards, and the Donaghy factor
For me this is the key area, especially if Cian O'Sullivan doesn't start because Kerry have a great line in Stephen O'Brien, Donnchadh Walsh and Johnny Buckley.
I was hugely impressed by Buckley in Kerry's semi-final win over Tyrone. Before Tyrone could settle he hit some great points in the opening minutes.
Dublin may fix Philly McMahon against this line. Kieran Donaghy has not been picked to start but he may well feature if Eamonn Fitzmaurice wants to shake things up. If so, Dublin's Rory O'Carroll is perfectly suited to mark him.
Who is going to win?
The teams are so evenly matched that this All-Ireland could be decided by the smallest mistake.
Last year, Paul Durcan's miscued kick-out sealed the result when it fell into the hands of Kieran Donaghy but at the same time I think Dublin have improved further this year and the semi-final replay win over Mayo highlights that improvement.
I think Dublin can edge it by two points.
Watch the All-Ireland SFC final between Dublin and Kerry live on Sky Sports 3 HD on Sunday from 2.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
