Former Meath captain Anthony Moyles gave us an insight into the Dublin attacking shortcomings and Kerry’s firepower on Monday’s OTB AM.
Moyles spoke after the opening game of the Allianz League on Saturday night at Croke Park which ended in a 1-19 to 1-19 draw.
“I definitely think Dublin and Farrell need to unearth a real scoring forward in that full-forward line. I think they need something different,” said Moyles.
This came after Dublin’s full-forward line that started the replay of the 2019 All-Ireland final scored just one point from play in the whole game.
Dean Rock remained piercing from the dead ball - his contribution ended with all of his 1-6 coming from set-pieces.
In contrast, Moyles was complimentary of Kerry’s attacking players.
“Kerry have some really really talented forwards. All of them can hurt you. All of them can kick scores. I don’t think Dublin have that at the moment.”
In his first game as Kerry captain, David Clifford stole the show with 1-3, including one of the goals of the season and a last-gasp free from distance to level proceedings.
“Once Clifford started to get on the ball, Kerry started to roll. I felt sorry for Davy Byrne, he wasn’t having a bad first 20 or 25 minutes on him.
But the goal was just unbelievable. Clifford takes it on his right side and is able to just roll Byrne and as soon as he went to ground that was it.”
Dublin key players
In the time between Clifford’s 18th-minute goal and half-time, 2018 footballer of the year Brian Fenton took control of the game and showed everyone why he is a two-time all-star.
The Raheny club man kicked four points from four shots in the first half at a time when Dublin needed a calming influence.
“The three scores he [Fenton] kicked in a row were equally as ridiculous as Clifford’s goal. It was a real sign of leadership,” said Moyles.
Kerry corner-forward James O’ Donoghue has largely failed to recapture his form on the inter-county scene since his footballer of the year win in 2014, due to injury, poor form and competition.
However, the 29-year-old showed why he is a two-time All-Star, scoring three points and dominating Eoin Murchan all night.
“O’Donoghue was their focal point,” Moyles noted.
“He looked really good. I haven’t seen him looking as fit in a long time. He kicked some absolutely beautiful scores [and] he gave Murchan a really torrid time.”
Kerry challenging
It seems that Kerry are more of a competitor to beat Dublin in the Championship than last year.
However, Moyles believes they are a “little bit ill-disciplined in defence.”
“[I’m a] bit disappointed with some of the defending, I have to say. [Shane] Enright fouled a number of times again, in vital times. Even the goal, like [Brian] O Beaglaoich was a bit rash, he jumped in a bit”
The Dublin goal was excellently-converted by Rock from the penalty spot after Kilkenny was fouled.
Rock has now scored 15-25 in the league and championship in a Dublin jersey, and he now needs just 22 points to overtake Jimmy Keaveny as Dublin’s highest-ever scorer.
Next weekend, Kerry host Galway at Austin Stack Park, while Dublin will travel to Elvery’s MacHale Park in Castlebar to play James Horan’s Mayo.
At the start of the year, it appears likely that it will be Kerry that try to stop Dublin’s six in a row.
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