Kilkenny recounts All-Ireland final replay delight

Ciarán Kilkenny, man of the match in the All-Ireland SFC final replay, has pointed to a change in mindset for improvement between the drawn encounter against Kerry and the second day out.

“We had a meeting with the guys after the (drawn) game,” said Ciarán, "the management team and a few players, they just said, ‘Ciarán, we need you to get scoring’.

“So my mindset completely changed for the second game.

“I was like, ‘as soon as I get this ball I’m going to take my man on and I’m either going to get a shot away or I’m going to put him under pressure to try to create a free’.

“So my mindset shifted.

“Our inside forwards were playing really well all year, they were electric all year, so my mindset for that (drawn) game was as soon as I get the ball, give it to the best man in the best position.

“Get these guys on the ball, look up for them, see if I can get them (on the ball), look up and move the ball forward to them.“They said, ‘We need you to get into these positions, we back you 100 per cent. Just go out enjoy the game, be yourself’.

“I remember Declan Darcy was just saying to me, ‘Pretend that you’re a kid, that you’re an eight-year-old again.

“Do what’s instinctive to you. Don’t be worrying about what’s going on. Just go for it and enjoy it’.

“That was the simple message, ‘Just go for it and enjoy it and do your thing’. That was it.”

It worked out well for the influential Castleknock clubman as he kicked four points from play in a superb display.

“When that final whistle blew, I’ve never felt anything like that before in my life.”

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Dublin Statistical Analysis:

• Dublin’s shot efficiency improved on the previous two campaigns at 66% compared with 64% and 62% in 2018 and 2017 respectively
• Dublin improved their ability to maintain possession allowing just 26 turnovers this year compared 44 in 2018
• Dublin maintained a pass completion rate of 96% which is on par with 97% in 2018 and 2017
• Scores from play were a key factor in deciding the replay versus Kerry. From play, Dublin converted 18 of their 28 scoring opportunities, while Kerry only managed to score 11 of their 24 chances
• Dublin won 85% of their own kickouts and won 27% of all opposition kickouts

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Ciarán Kilkenny statistical analysis:

• Kilkenny’s shot selection appears to have improved year-on-year according to the statistics. While he attempted fewer shots this year, his shot efficiency rose from 61% last year to 74% in 2019
• Kilkenny appears to have an increased focus on passing with his total foot passes increasing from 24 to 37 and hand passes from 145 to 176 between the 2018 and 2019 season. Despite the increase, he maintained an overall pass completion rate of 96%

• The contrast between Kilkenny’s stats in the drawn final and his man of the match performance in the replay are also revealing;

• He scored 0-4 in the replay, while he didn’t take a shot in the drawn game
• His number of possessions improved from 37 in the drawn game to 43 in the replay
• He also went from a personal championship low for passing accuracy of 92% in the drawn final compared with a high of 97% in the replay