Cork hurlers catch strays during Jack O'Connor's triumphant RTE interview after Kerry outclass Donegal
Moments after
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A proud O'Connor saw his men run out 1-26 to 0-19 winners
Credit: RTE
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The pre-match favourites only scored two points in the second half against Tipperary
The 64-year-old branded it a "tough ole year" as he cited
But the veteran boss noted that he sensed a good feeling off his players throughout the morning in the lead-up to today's 3:30pm throw-in.
He also pinpointed David Clifford's walk-off two-pointer as a critical score that stretched their lead out to seven as the teams headed in for half-time.
It was when recalling something he said during the interval that the inadvertent jibe at their neighbours' limp second half in the hurling decider came up.
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O'Connor said bluntly: "I think that two-pointer was a massive score by David. That was a massive fill-up at half-time to put us up by seven.
"Then we said to each other in the dressing room that what happened to Cork last weekend wasn't going to happen to us.
"We were going to come out and play and try to win the second half. And we did win the second half by three points so overall two good halves."
O'Connor's was the only eye-catching post-match interview either as a pumped-up Paudie Clifford called out their detractors.
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The playmaker vented: 'We felt disrespected, to be honest. People were writing us off, saying we weren't the same since 2022. But we knew what we had in us.
'We hadn't really done the full 70 minutes in a while – not since the last time we won Sam.
Henry Shefflin picks RTE Sunday Game Hurler of the Year but wants no blame for selection for best 15 picks
"But today we did. We emptied the tank.'
He also shut down talk that Kerry are a one-man team carried by younger brother.
He added: 'Look, David is unbelievable, everyone knows that.
"But we've 15 lads on that pitch and plenty more ready to go. This is a team – and always has been.'
KINGDOM COME AGAIN
The Kingdom produced a ruthless display at Croke Park to see off Donegal and claim their 39th All-Ireland football title.
The Clifford brothers were outstanding, with captain Gavin White and Joe O'Connor also starring as Kerry dictated the tempo from the outset.
Donegal battled bravely and got to within four points early in the second half, sparking hopes of a comeback. But Kerry responded like champions, pulling away again to seal a deserved victory.
Jim McGuinness' men had their moments. However, they'll rue how their zonal defence was continually exploited by a savvy O'Connor game plan.
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