‘The Meath players will rally to the Kerry challenge’

KERRY VIEW Kingdom legend isn't a fan of the split-season

The one and only Jack O'Shea had many roles in the GAA down the decades. There was, of course, his playing days with the great Kerry team under Mick O'Dwyer. A team that went very, very close to winning five successive All-Ireland SFC titles.

They were only denied, of course, by Seamus Darby's famous last-gasp goal in the 1982 All-Ireland final, the Offaly man securing the ball and firing to the net after what O'Dwyer later described "as a little nudge" on Tommy Doyle.

After his Hollywood-scripted playing career that yielded a profusion of All-Ireland medals and All-star awards, O'Shea coached, taking charge of the Mayo footballers, among other teams. He was also asked to help out the Walterstown footballers, assisting them to Keegan Cup triumphs in 1983 and '84.

The Blacks also reached two All-Ireland Club finals in the early eighties where they lost to Cork giants St Finbarr's and Nemo Rangers.

Bizarrely back then both the semi-final and final were played on successive days over the same weekend, something, O'Shea insists, was manifestly unfair to the Meath champions.

"A small rural club like Walterstown trying to play two big games in two days, one after another was totally wrong, it degraded the competition. What an achievement for Walterstown to even get to the final with such a small parish at the time against the likes of St Finbarr's and Nemo, powerful clubs."

That ludicrous situation bears some resemblance to the current All-Ireland SFC series where teams are required to play games in quick succession; something that clearly favours the big powers with deep resources.

O'Shea is not a fan of the split season as it is currently structured. It's hard on players, he says, and, by extension, those counties with thin manpower resources.

"If a player picks up any kind of a knock he could be out for half the championship, there's no recovery time. Even from a spectators point of view it's far from ideal because there are too many matches on the same days. I just think the promotion of the game is suffering because of all that, affecting attendances."

O'Shea reflects fondly on the days during his own playing days when there was a lengthy build up to big games, sparking a frisson of excitement and anticipation throughout those counties involved.

He feels the season could be extended out for a few more weeks at least.

In this summer's campaign Kerry play Monaghan before they travel to Pairc Tailteann on the weekend of the 1st/2nd June for the second group game and if O'Shea attends the fixture he will surely reflect back on that day in 1976 when he too made his way to Navan for a game between the Royals and the Kingdom.

Famously O'Shea, then just a teenager, was named among the subs for a NFL fixture with the circumstances of how he was selected unimaginable in today's game. It's a story of how important it is for people to take the chances that come their way - in life and in sport.

"One of the cars bringing some of the Kerry players to the game was late arriving in Navan. I was put in the starting team and I held my place from then on."

"League games back then were great occasions, you had huge crowds. I was marking Martin Coyne that day against Meath, a fine footballer, a fine athlete. I can't remember much about the game but it was dream come through to make my debut on the Kerry team."

Looking to the current Kerry side, O'Shea feels they just haven't clicked yet. They are much better than they showed, he thinks, in defeating Cork (by three points) and Clare (by seven) on the way to yet another Munster title. "I don't think Kerry are anywhere near where where can be. I think they will improve with each game they play."

He points out how fortunate the Kingdom is to have princes of the pigskin such as David and Paudie Clifford available but there are others on Jack O'Connor team such as Sean O'Shea, Tony Brosnan, Jason Foley and Joe O'Connor who can help ensure the Munster side will be in the running at the business end of season, although he doesn't think they'll win the Sam Maguire. Dublin look odds on for that prize, he adds.

He points to Dublin’s depth of talent, their rich resources that can be used to augment the strength of thier starting 15 no matter what the selection.

When he looks at Meath, O'Shea sees a team "who seem to be going in the right direction" if short on experience. "I think they are a good side, ok they probably are lacking in experience that would be one thing, but they will still be a very proud county playing at home against Kerry, that's going to be worth a few points to them.

"It will be a huge occasion for Meath football, big crowd at Pairc Tailteann. The Meath players will rally to the Kerry challenge."

So who does he think will win? " I fancy Kerry but I think it will be tight." So now you have it from one of the legends of the game; another true prince of the pigskin. The one and only Jack O'Shea.