Kingdom's record means it's not a rivalry of equals

DERBY DAYS 2009 ALL-IRELAND SFC QUARTER-FINAL:This is a modern rivalry. Or at least, it should and could be. It began in 2001, not 1923 or 1976, in Semple Stadium, and it's 3-0 to Kerry

Dublin

v

Kerry

Monday, August 3rd

Croke Park: throw-in, 2pm.

Live on RTÉ 2

FORGET WHAT you’ve been told. This is not an old rivalry. For most, it’s fresh and new. A 21st century duel.

The joke doing the rounds two years ago before their All-Ireland semi-final meeting was that Elvis was still alive the last time Dublin beat Kerry. That mocking gag still stands today, and, if past battles are anything to go by, will be coming to a mobile phone near you again after next Monday evening’s clash at headquarters.

Perhaps even more pertinently, out of the Dublin side that started against Kildare in the Leinster final earlier this month, only Jason Sherlock was alive the last time his county defeated Kerry in championship football. The seasoned Dublin forward was a year and a half the day of the 1977 All-Ireland football semi-final.

And for many of the spectators at Croke Park next Monday (and surely at least 90 per cent of those occupying Hill 16) the great battles of three decades ago are as relevant as the clashes in the early 1930s were to those who watched the counties trade blows in the late 1970s and early ’80s.

Since 1977, Dublin haven’t beaten Kerry – a losing streak which includes four All-Ireland final defeats. And up to the meeting the year before, in 1976, Dublin had not overcome the Munster giants in 42 years. Presumably the joke doing the rounds in the build-up to the 1976 decider was along the lines that, the last time Dublin had beaten Kerry, WB Yeats was still alive and well. Two memorable victories in eight decades does not a great rivalry make.

While Dublin did a celebrated double over their “rivals” in 1976 and ’77, Kerry have more than gained revenge – giving the home side two unmerciful beatings before the end of that decade – by 17 points in 1978 and 11 points in 1979. And the southern grip was almost as tight in the finals of 1984 and ’85, despite Dublin being the reigning All-Ireland champions in 1983, when Cork pipped their neighbours by a point in the Munster decider thus ensuring Dublin avoided a meeting with Jack O’Shea and Co.

Excuses or not (and pointing to injuries such as Brian Mullins’ unfortunate car accident for Dublin’s slide is as relevant as blaming John Joe Sheehy for being anti-treaty and therefore missing the 1923 All-Ireland final when Dublin beat Kerry by two points) the Kingdom’s record in the derby games means it’s not a rivalry of equals. Traditionally, it’s been merely a step on the road for one side.

Even after the 1923 defeat, Kerry did not have to wait long to avenge a rare defeat by the Jackeens. In the following year’s decider, played in April 1925, the sides met again and, coincidentally considering what is occurring off Jones’ Road at the moment, the pitch was resurfaced especially for the occasion.

The build-up – though not quite the hype-filled mushroom cloud we’re now used to – nevertheless reflected the enthusiasm in the football heartlands and 30,000 turned up at headquarters, 10,000 more than for the previous year’s decider.

The scoreline perhaps does not do the tie justice, as match reports talk generously of the skill level. Still, neither side managed a score in the first 20 minutes, and by the break Kerry had their noses in front, three points to two. In fact, the teams managed just one more score each in the second period – Kerry winning by a point.

Witnesses on Monday will demand more accuracy. But more than that. For this rivalry to have any credibility, it demands a win by Dublin. Otherwise, the rivalry sits with Armagh and Roscommon, who also played out several classic contests in the late 1970s and early ’80s. That Kerry men are again falling over themselves to emphasise how much the rivalry with Dublin means is not particularly relevant. There are other motives at work.

Kerry’s rivalry is with Cork. In fact, they have more reason to celebrate a victory over Down than Dublin. The Ulster county have had the good sense to avoid the Kingdom when they’ve been at their strongest, and are the only county with a 100 per cent record against Kerry. Four championship clashes. Four victories – two (1960 and 1968) in All-Ireland senior football finals.

Kerry players, officials and supporters will be happy to watch their fifth column – the multitude of former Kerry players now spread across the media world – talking up the rivalry in the build-up to Monday, and in so doing talking up Dublin’s chances.

History tells us, however, that, for Kerry, clashes with Dublin are not really about life and death. In reality, the battles have almost always resulted in life for Kerry, and death for Dublin.

No, this is a modern rivalry. Or at least, it should and could be. It began in 2001, not 1923 or 1976.

It was started by Maurice Fitzgerald, who stood at the Old Stand side of Semple Stadium and launched a beautiful kick that was roared over the bar by Kerry’s supporters to earn a draw in a pulsating match at the same stage of the championship as Monday’s.

The score in this rivalry stands at 3-0 (with one draw) to Kerry and so its future depends on Monday’s result.