Galway’s old frailties in the full back are showing no signs of disappearing.
It’s 1-10 to 0-8 and Galway would want to come out a very different team in the second half if they’re to change it.
Kerry are the best team to exploit a team’s weakness, and we’ve known this for quite some time.
The Tribesmen went into Sunday’s Croke Park showdown on the crest of a wave, after recovering from their Connacht final loss at the hands of Roscommon, to ruthlessly dispatch of Donegal next time out.
The Green and gold of Kerry are a much greater challenge than the green and yellow of Donegal, and Kevin Walsh’s men are finding that out today.
The Kingdom are playing to their strengths in deploying a high ball tactic that is reaping significant reward.
Kieran Donaghy is one of the most physically imposing forwards in the game, and his four inch height advantage over Galway full back Declan Kyne is playing into Kerry’s hands.
The Kerry midfielders and half forwards are well aware of this, and appear instructed to pounce on it. They are raining high ball after high ball on top of a helpless Galway full back line.
In fairness, Paul Geaney and James O’Donoghue aren’t too shabby in the air either.
Donaghy’s first goal was the most typical Donaghy goal you’re likely to see.
A high ball was lumped in on top of the Austin Stacks club man, and he lapped it all up, catching, turning, holding off and passing to the back of the net in true Kerry style.
In fairness, it’s harsh to blame the full back line, the line of supply must be put under greater pressure from their outfielders.
Galway manager Kevin Walsh tried to act in moving David Walsh on to the towering Kerry man, but a finger still wasn’t laid on him.
Donaghy made four clean catches from high, hopeful balls, won two frees and scored 1-1.
Not too bloody shabby.
Kerry are deadly at playing in the long ball. It's class to watch and causes some damage. #feedthebear #keeperlit
— Michael Conlan (@Adolfcoors) July 30, 2017
Literally any class of a high ball into the Kerry ff line, they catching them. What's changed for Galway since the Tipp game?!
— Michael Foley📚🖊 (@MickFoley76) July 30, 2017
Kerry 1-5 v Galway 0-5 Another high ball into Donaghy on edge of the square, a free in then awarded! 27 min #GAA #KERvGAL #PhillysUpdates
— PhillyMc (@MoysPhillyMc) July 30, 2017
