The GAA rumour mill has an interesting life span and the most intriguing rumour of this week, and perhaps this season, is that Eamonn Fitzmaurice was plotting a move right out of the Louis Van Gaal handbook for Kerry's upcoming semifinal against the Dubs: throwing deadball genius Bryan Sheehan into goals.
Heard very interesting solution to @Kerry_Official 's team sel probs.Put #BryanSheehan in goal-he plyd there as minor-& let him take frees!
— John FitzGerald (@Jdbfitzgerald) August 3, 2016
Fitzmaurice is facing something of a selection crisis in midfield. Kieran Donaghy has been moved to midfield from full forward this season but there are major doubts over whether he has the legs for a game against Dublin. Anthony Maher sat out the league and has only been used as a sub this season. Sheehan, Kerry's most reliable free taker of the last decade, has been used mainly as a sub as well.
Kerry's vulnerability with long-range frees and 45s was glaring against Clare. David Moran was the man tasked with the job early in the game. Though Moran would be known as a decent long-range free taker, his efforts were disappointing, to say the least.
Kerry's deficiency in this respect was immaterial against Clare. That will not be the case against Dublin on August 28th. Kerry will have to take every chance they get.
Usually, Kerry are reliably deadly from dead ball situations - but that is when Bryan Sheehan is on the pitch. It was not until the second half against Clare that Sheehan entered the game. The Kerry captain knocked over one point.
Kerry's issue with Sheehan how do they get him on the pitch. If Kerry are to beat Dublin, they need the midfield partnership of Moran and Maher - which has been once of the best in inter-county football in recent years - in place.
The half-forward line is also somewhere crowded with other options. If he's fit, we'll likely see Colm Cooper at centre-forward. Paul Murphy - the most prominent Kerryman in the Footballer of the Year betting - will take up one of the other places. Donnchadh Walsh is virtually guaranteed to take the other spot.
That is one of the reasons why a rumour doing the rounds about Sheehan is so believable.
Another factor which makes that Sheehan whisper hold credibility is the 30-year-old's history of playing in goal. He played there at school level for Colaiste na Sceilge and also for the Kerry minors.
Sadly, according to Kerryman and Irish Examiner sports editor Tony Leen, the rumour is untrue though there is talk of other Kerry tactical surprises. .
Contrary to a widely circulating piece of misinformation, @Kerry_Official has no intention of playing @BryanSheehan9 in goals v Dublin.
— Tony Leen (@tonyleen) August 12, 2016
There are a couple of interesting tactical manoeuvres afoot mind you...
— Tony Leen (@tonyleen) August 12, 2016
So far in the Championship, Brian Kelly has been between the posts for Kerry. It's probable he will remain there for Fitzmaurice in the All-Ireland semi-final. Rabbits will have to be sprung from green and gold hats though if Kerry are to dethrone this Dublin team.
