The best day in the Calendar. The third Sunday of September, All-Ireland final Day. Thirty-three teams started out at the start of they year in the hope of reaching the final at Croke Park. Despite a spirited effort, Donegal just fell short. But there is always next year, as any liverpool fan will tell you.
However, the show must go on, and Kerry and Dublin will play out one of the most eagerly awaited finals in recent memory. After 16 long years, the Dubs are finally back on the third Sunday, and I have to say, I'd be delighted to see Brian Cullen hold the Cup at the end of the seventy minutes.
Cullen, Stephen Cluxton, and Alan Brogan in particular, have been great servants to Dublin and the GAA, and they deserve their day in the sun.Pat Gilroy has superbly managed his team this year. He has killed the hype and managed to keep his players grounded. He even took the unprecedented step of hosting their press day two weeks before the final. They are focused and are well prepared for the Kingdom, showing their brilliance against Tyrone, and also the abilty to grind out a result against Donegal.
Kerry, on the other hand, have had a reasonably easy passage through to the final. They dealt with Tipperary and Limerick (Twice) without much fuss, and got over a stubborn Mayo side in the semi without ever looking like being defeated. However, they did struggle against Cork for 30 minutes of the Munster final, as the Rebels showed up Kerry's defensive frailties.
In my opinion, the game will be decided by the full back lines. Kerry's has looked dodgy all year, and they will be severly tested by Bernard and Alan Brogan, along with Diarmuid Connolly. In contrast, the Dubs have received plaudits all season, for their mean defence. But they have not encountered anything like the ability of Colm Cooper, Kieran Donaghy, Darran or Declan O'Sullivan, thus far.
The big talking point is the omission of Paul Galvin from the Kerry starting line up. He is far too important to the team, to be sitting on the bench. And while I understand what an impact he would give to the team if he arrived in the second half, you simply don't confine one of your best players to the role of 'super sub'. Tipperary learnt that the hard way two weeks ago, when they didn't start Brendan Maher. I don't expect the Kerry management to make the same mistake.
Kerry have been accused of having to much milage on the legs, but this also means a lot of experimence. They have a lot of big game temperment, and they come alive in Croke Park. They are a team of winners, and I can't see them doing anything else but win on Sunday. The kingdom by two.
