ALL-IRELAND SFC FINAL KERRY v TYRONE:EVERY PLAYER knows that Kerry's full forward line can make any defence bleed. A rejuvenated Tyrone, however, have turned the smothering of opponents into an art form. On that premise, we turned to one of the Kingdom's five eight-time All-Ireland winners from the 1970s-'80s golden era for analysis of how the tactical breakdown could unfold on Sunday.
"There is no way that Tyrone are going to start man-to-man with Ryan McMenamin, Justin McMahon and Ciarán Gourley," said Mikey Sheehy. "There is no way the three of them will be inside the full back line.
"I think (Conor) Gormley will probably pick up (Kieran) Donaghy or the Gooch and I think, possibly, Justin McMahon will pick up Tommy Walsh because Tommy Walsh is a very strong player. I think Joe McMahon will end up somewhere around the back line as well. He played full back in 2005. He is a fantastic utility player."
Sheehy's assertion that "Ryan McMenamin could play comfortably in the half forward line" also carries weight from recent performances and the corner back, more famous for his annoying man-marker reputation than an excellent attacker, has shown an engine to rival a younger Brian Dooher or a fully-tuned Paul Galvin.
Sheehy was merely suggesting what we already know; players may well start in their numbered positions but many will drift into more defined roles once this eagerly awaited All-Ireland final settles into a rhythm.
"One thing I hope is Kerry don't get bogged down trying to negate Tyrone, particularly their wing backs coming through."
This brings matters nicely to the topic of Paul Galvin. "If I was in Pat O'Shea's boots, and I'm glad I'm not, I'd start him. There are two reasons. One, Kerry have a problem at wing forward and I think two wing forwards are going to be crucial against Tyrone, the way their two wing backs attack. Number two, if you start him and he is not playing well you can replace him."
Sheehy feels the current crop will prevail but the memory of past defeats lingers in every Kerry brain this week. "The one thing I will say about this final is this team were beaten by Tyrone in the '03 All-Ireland semi-final and the '05 final. They are going for three-in-a -row. The team they haven't beaten, and this is their fifth All-Ireland final in a row, is Tyrone. I think there is more pressure to beat Tyrone rather than win a three-in-a-row."
