Éamonn Fitzmaurice may appear a cool customer on the sideline.
The Kerry boss rarely, if ever, loses his temper as his team win or lose.
However, the Finuge man was disgusted at the perceived lack of protection of one of Kerry’s key players in Sunday’s 11-point drubbing by Dublin in Croke Park, and has used pretty strong language to express it.
Kieran Donaghy started the National League final at midfield, but roamed all over the pitch and found himself inside at full-forward for the final minutes of the game.
Kerry's persistence in lumping aimless high balls on top of Kieran Donaghy was an insult to Dublin's defenders https://t.co/FGLI5FniAx #GAA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 24, 2016
Kerry aimed high balls at the Austin Stacks man, repeatedly, but Dublin broke the ball and the former Footballer of the Year was left massively frustrated as Kerry slumped to a fifth straight loss to the Dubs in Croke Park.
Cian O’Sullivan, Johnny Copper and Philly McMahon all combined to successfully counteract Donaghy’s aerial threat, in scenes reminiscent of last year’s All-Ireland final.
The tactics to Donaghy simply did not work, but after the game, manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice used the strongest possible words to criticise referee Eddie Kinsella for not protecting his player.
“One of the reasons we decided to move him out the field was to give him a bit of freedom and a chance to play a bit of football, which he has done very effectively for us during the league.
“Before half-time, when he was inside there, he caught a ball inside and there was a very soft free given out. There was basically rape and pillage going on inside in front of the goals at the other side in the second half and we didn’t get anything. It’s frustrating but it is what it is.
“We knew it coming up. We know playing the games that that’s the way it’s going to be and we just have to keep going.”
The phrase “rape and pillage” may be more suitable for Game of Thrones, and perhaps Fitzmaurice was just caught up in the moment, but the frustration felt by the Kerryman was also echoed by others.
Eddie Kinsella….😤 #lemon
— Ashling Thompson (@AshlingThompson) April 24, 2016
Kieran Donaghy has to work harder than anyone else for free in GAA
— Aidan McCarron (@aidanwyliemcc) April 24, 2016
If Kerian Donaghy had been hit by a bus in Croke Park today he wouldn't have got a free #GAA #AllianzLeagues #crokepark
— James McAlary (@tyresone) April 24, 2016
Whatever hope against Dublin you need: (i) to maintain discipline; (ii) decent kick outs; (iii) a fair ref. #kerry failed (i) & (ii) #gaa
— Flor O'Donoghue (@FToD) April 24, 2016
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