The 16th Man

As Robert Kelly prepared to strike Kildare’s 21 yard free and his team’s last chance of progressing to an All-Ireland final for the first time since 1998, Johnny Doyle tried to calm himself. This was to be the end. You could not fictionalise this game if you tried. It was truly one where heroes rose and fell. As the ball shattered off the crossbar so did Doyle’s dream to be remembered ‘as someone who achieved the ultimate honour of winning an All-Ireland with Kildare.’ This quote from the Allenwood man dates back to November 2000 from Hogan Stand magazine (Volume 10; Issue 37). Doyle is now 32 and one wonders was 2010 the closest he will ever have come to fulfilling his ambition. Reinforced with such a steely composure by McGeeney, this Kildare team was the one that looked like reaching the heights not attained since 1928.

Doyle will certainly finish this year’s championship as top scorer. He has notched up an impressive 1-49. However his record in front of the sticks is more impressive considering his Trojan work rate. He is both a hunter and gatherer type forward. He shows beautiful agility, a trait solidified by his outstanding catch from Kildare’s last kick out when possession was crucial to kick start his teams last throw of the dice. The old timers perched on barstools often state in pots match analysis that ‘no honest man ever gives up’ and if that is the case then Doyle has proven himself in 2010 as a very honest man indeed.

Since his debut back in 2000 he has never missed a championship game, a noteworthy achievement considering the amount of punishment his lean physique takes on the field. He is literally the tip of the battering ram which forges the Kildare attack. Doyle wins his own ball and plays his football as a simple cog in a well-oiled machine. The essence of his general play is his consideration. He always does with the ball whats best for his team, and not for himself. His subtle winning mentality is showcased by his refusal to be shackled by what lies within all of us. When things go against him he refuses to be discouraged by doubt or bound by fear.

While many feel Bernard Brogan is a shoe in for Footballer of the Year, in my opinion Johnny Doyle’s performances this year match no other. He kicked nine points against Louth in their opening game, including a vital free just before half time which ended a seventeen minute barren spell for the Lilies. Against Antrim he was balanced throughout the encounter, kicking four first half points and three after the interval. In the replay of that match, his 21 minute goal gave the Lilies a 1-4 to 0-5 lead going in at half time.

He showed grit in the downpour against Leitrim where despite missing kickable frees, he persisted and finished with three (two from placed balls). In Round 3 at Derry they found themselves 1-2 behind but spearheaded by Doyle points they reeled them in by the half hour mark and never relinquished their lead. In Mongahan he displayed the strength of his psychological game where despite kicking six first half wide’s he contributed to 1-6 of his teammates scores and eventually broke his own drought by pointing two frees.

There was a five minute spell in the opening half against Meath which explains the procedure of how Doyle operates better than anything. The Lilies found themselves 1-3 down after fifteen minutes. Doyle, in a supreme moment, pointed from a difficult angle on the sideline. Moments later he managed to slip a 21 yard free in front of the goal to the wrong side of the post. Undeterred, he gathered the ball around the middle of the pitch from the kick out and after finding a teammate made a fifty yard dash to find himself on the receiving end of a sweeping move where his tricky running resulted in him being dragged to the ground for another 21 yard free.

Although Brogan’s lone scoring was a joy to behold, it was Doyle’s willingness to sacrifice that impressed. The man looks like he’s always nursing a bad hangover but he throws himself into action without hesitation, taking hits his body shouldn’t be taking, wining frees and pointing them. However he does not just express himself through set pieces as he demonstrated by scoring 1-17 of his 1-49 from play, an impressive percentage of 36%.

Doyle’s tears at the final whistle on Sunday exposed the indignities which haunt the game. Had referee Pat McEnaney performed as well as the Kildare captain, then perhaps Doyle would have the privilege of leading out his team in Croke Park on September 19 and the privilege of leading them up the steps of the Hogan Stand to collect Sam Maguire after an eighty two year wait. While he will end another year without the ultimate prize above his fireplace, Johnny Doyle is destined to collect his first ever All-Star award and I’m sure no man would disagree if he was recognised as the greatest player on the pitch in 2010 either.

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