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The Irish Sun
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Jack O'Connor lets rip at Kerry critics and hints All-Ireland glory could be his last dance
JACK O'CONNOR felt that he had to hit back at the critics as Kerry's season began to come to the boil. Advertisement 2 Kerry manager Jack O'Connor hinted that he may not continue in 2026 2 Kerry manager Jack O'Connor during homecoming celebrations in Tralee after his fifth All-Ireland with the Kingdom Despite a host of his top men being unavailable against the Royals in Tullamore, O'Connor's side faced a wave of criticism inside and outside the county after defeat cost them top spot in their All-Ireland series group. But they responded with an preliminary quarter-final win over Cavan and then produced sizzling displays to see off Armagh, Tyrone and, on Sunday, And after Sunday's masterful display in a decider won 1-26 to 0-19, he said: 'It wasn't about me personally. Advertisement read more on gaa "It was just that we were putting in an incredible effort, everybody, but on the back of one bad day out we were being written off and disrespected. 'Sometimes you just get p***ed off with that because the people who are doing the criticising are most of the time hurlers on the ditch who don't put in the same effort themselves with teams. 'I was just pig-sick of some of the people that were criticising me and the team. Because as I said, that's the easiest thing in the world to do is criticise. 'We were working like Trojans, working like dogs to try and get this right and when you've people throwing out loose comments, it does annoy you. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football 'That was a case of me having my fill of that, saying, 'To hell with this'. That's all I was doing. "I'm normally not like that. You've listened to me a long time, I normally give stock answers at these press briefings but I had reached a point where I was just up to my tonsils with it, you know? 'Sad to see him go' - GAA fans emotional seeing Michael D Higgins attend last men's All-Ireland final as President 'I had a bit of a rant, but sure there is no harm at times to leave off a bit of steam.' Advertisement But O'Shea excelled in the Armagh game, Clifford was everywhere in the final and his brother David was destroying all before him in the run-in, with a host of the county's less heralded stars also hitting peak form in recent weeks. Despite all his panel coming together to silence the critics, O'Connor, 64, admitted after Sunday's win that it could be his last hurrah as boss after winning his fifth Sam Maguire in his third stint in the job. After a tough year, the Dromid Pearses man is not sure if he can do it all over again — but no decision has been made. Speaking yesterday, he said: 'It isn't like I'm playing hard to get. It's not like that. I'm a long time at this now. Advertisement 'I found last year particularly tough, I have to say, and I'm not sure I can put myself through that stuff again because when you reach a certain age, your priorities change a bit. 'There's a lot of other things I like doing. I like playing a bit of golf. I like spending time with my grandson Jack, who's mad for golf as well. He'd be around the lawn with a golf club, learning to swing it. I live in a nice part of the country and I enjoy being out in nature and going out at my old homestead in Dromid, stuff like that. 'We'll see. I'll leave it settle for a couple of weeks. I won't hang people out to dry or keep people hanging on. Advertisement 'I'll have a think about it. I had only one or two hours' sleep last night, so now isn't a great time to be making a decision.' Kerry capped their summer with their best performance of the season on Sunday. They schooled Donegal by ten points to storm over the line as star man David Clifford fired 0-9, O'Shea hit 0-6 and Paudie conducted the orchestra up front. Joe O'Connor scored a smashing goal to cap a brilliant individual display and season, while captain Gavin White was influential from start to finish as Donegal's swift running game never took off. Advertisement From the throw-in, Mark O'Shea got the touch and White picked up and stormed forward to feed Dylan Geaney to score after 12 seconds. The tone was set and Kerry never looked back. PROUD AS PUNCH A proud O'Connor said: 'What pleased me was that on the biggest day of the year, we had probably our best performance. That's what pleased me. 'And what pleased me was the way that the lads took the game to Donegal from the off. 'Gavin winning the breaking ball from the throw-in, driving on, slipping it to Dylan Geaney, a young forward in his first All-Ireland, kicking a great score off his left foot. Advertisement "A young lad in a final kicks a point with his first touch, a lot of good things happening there. 'Our midfielder gets a tap down, playing in his first final, a lot of good stuff happening in that move. That's the start you want. You set the tone, the captain leads by example.' Kerry ultimately thrived under football's new rules this year. They fired five two-pointers to Donegal's none on Sunday, which proved a big part of the difference. O'Connor admits the changes have revolutionised the sport in their first Championship. Advertisement He said: 'By and large, they've got an awful lot right. It's a much more enjoyable product now. 'I would say that it's almost taking the game back to where it used to be where there was a bit more kicking and a bit more space. 'It's still pretty tactical, particularly against opposition that set up zonally, you have to pick your moments and work your scores but it's a far more enjoyable game than it used to be."
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Kerry carry weight of history into All-Ireland final clash with fearless Donegal
YOU'RE NOBODY in Kerry unless you have a couple of All-Ireland medals on the CV. Not even one is good enough and that's why the bulk of their current team have to get their hands on a second Celtic Cross. Advertisement 2 David Clifford and Kerry carry the weight of history into All-Ireland final clash vs Donegal on Sunday 2 Michael Murphy and Donegal will be looking to win their first All-Ireland since 2012 There is massive expectation down there — they went all the way in 2022 but Dublin took The expectation is massive for Of course, But it doesn't always happen that way when you get there. We saw it in the hurling final last week when Cork totally collapsed in the second half, and I know all about it. Advertisement read more on gaa My Meath side hammered Kerry 2-14 to 0-5 in the 2001 All-Ireland semi-final. And Donegal did something similar to Meath two weeks ago. But I can say from experience, it's not good going into a final where you feel you're nearly invincible. I know beating that Kerry team of 24 years ago and beating the current Meath side are different things, but we definitely went into the 2001 final in the wrong frame of mind. We didn't have the attitude we probably should have had and we paid the price against Galway. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football They taught us a real lesson and won by nine, so you probably want to be tested a bit coming into the biggest day. It's an All-Ireland final — the last game of the season — and you want to put in your best display. Kerry and Donegal battle for Sam Maguire in GAA All-Ireland football final That doesn't happen for everybody, the Cork hurlers know it and no one knows more about it than me. Coming into the 1996 All-Ireland final against Mayo, I was having a brilliant season. Advertisement I was named man of the match three times that summer and probably had one of my best games in a Meath jersey against Tyrone in the semi-final when I scored 1-4. It's 70 minutes but when you're out there, it goes by in a flash and can so easily pass you by. I listened to a lot of the hype about myself, I was in line for Footballer of the Year and different stuff. But when it came to the crunch, it was a disastrous two finals personally. Advertisement I got a point in the drawn game and didn't score in the replay. Thankfully, we won but I was so disappointed in my performances. If you feel the time has run away and you're chasing the game, it's very hard to get it back and that's when you make mistakes. That's why with all the pressure on David Clifford, I want to see him playing well today. He got 1-9 against Tyrone in the semi-final and has scored 8-53 in eight Championship games this season. Advertisement Those numbers are off the charts and every neutral wants to see him perform again today. If he doesn't, Donegal have a massive chance of winning just the third All-Ireland in the county's history. Jim McGuinness will have something up his sleeve to try to stop Clifford, or at least limit the damage, but what that will be is anyone's guess. Brendan McCole is one of the best man-markers around but Clifford can mock the best of them. Advertisement He took Tyrone's Pádraig Hampsey to the cleaners but Donegal definitely won't let that happen and will have a plan to shut down the Kerry attack. Those around David Clifford haven't got a lot of the credit they deserve. His brother Paudie is such a fine playmaker and we all know what Seán O'Shea can do — he's kicked 11 two-pointers in this Championship, having missed games through injury too. They could have beaten Tyrone by a lot more had they taken their chances and I think Paul Geaney can have a massive influence off the bench. Advertisement He was playing the best football of his career until he suffered concussion and a shoulder injury in the group-stage win over Cork. But he hasn't featured since, missing the defeat to Meath, after which the vultures started to circle in Kerry. But that 1-22 to 0-16 loss was the kick in the backside they needed. They were waiting in the long grass and had not been tested at all up until then, but that defeat kick-started their season. They regrouped and took out Cavan with ease before dethroning Armagh with a masterful display and cruising past Tyrone, setting up a clash with a fourth Ulster team in a row in today's final. Advertisement MURPHY'S MOMENT? But what Kerry have in Clifford and his sidekicks, Donegal have in Michael Murphy. To hit the form he has after two years in retirement has been phenomenal and it's hard not to think Donegal would have beaten Galway in their semi-final last year if he was there. When they're in trouble, he pulls them out of it. The man is a 35-year-old playing like he's 25. He got a bang two weeks ago but the word is he's OK — and every Donegal person will be praying that he is. Advertisement At the same time, Oisín Gallen, Conor O'Donnell, Shane O'Donnell and Ciarán Thompson are all flying in their firing line as well and they had 12 different scorers against Meath. But the midfield battle will be key. We can talk about Clifford versus Murphy all we want, but Joe O'Connor's showdown with Michael Langan will be every bit as important. Kerry's midfield has been Jack O'Connor's problem child since Jack Barry went travelling and David Moran retired, but his namesake Joe has been incredible and has solved the puzzle. Named at No 10 again today, he will be everywhere. Advertisement Langan has been equally impressive for Donegal and the attacking threat he brings is so dangerous considering he's chipped in with 1-25. Both teams have shown during the season that they can perform under pressure and there is that calmness about them when they get into sticky situations. O'Connor and McGuinness are two cool customers on the line and seem to make the right decisions when they need to. It's the final everybody wanted to see between the best teams, as far as I'm concerned. Advertisement It's a toss of a coin really but for me, the Clifford factor is probably just swaying me on the Kerry side. If he gets going, there's not a man in the country that'll stop him. It's a massive occasion for both teams and I'm just slightly on the side of Kerry. I've stuck with them from the start
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Cillian O'Connor sheds light on his decision to step away from Mayo GAA panel for entirety of 2025
CILLIAN O'Connor has revealed a few extra details around his opting out of the Mayo panel for the 2025 inter-county season. Back in November Advertisement His exit from the elite end of Gaelic football had a touch of vagueness to it since it's unusual for someone his age to step away whilst not officially retiring. The 33-year-old has now added a bit more detail to his outlook when he made that call. Appearing on William Hill's He outlined: 'I didn't say anything (to make the news public), I think someone did an interview and said that. Advertisement Read More On GAA 'I didn't put anything out. I rang the management, and met the management. I rang a few senior and younger players and told them. 'I met Kevin McStay in the autumn and we had a few good, frank conversations. "Kevin was keen in the end, when he had accepted I was going, to ask me not to draw a line under anything and not to be definitive. 'If he had asked me to draw a line, one way or the other, I would have been happy to go and leave it at that. I wasn't going to put out a statement anyway.' Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Reflecting on his new vantage point this summer from the sidelines rather in the thick of it, he added: 'It's been different obviously. I'd say elements of it have been enjoyable. "It's been nice in a way too, first time since 2011, and even including Minor and Under-21 since 2008 to be outside it. Sharlene Mawdsley takes part in hilarious road race as part of Tipperary's All-Ireland celebration "To step off that roller coaster for a bit and enjoy it a bit more and appreciate the skills that everyone's showing at the weekends and not be as intense and uptight. 'When you're watching games, it could be two teams at the other side of the country, but if we're still in the Championship, you're thinking 'if we get one of these now, what am I gonna do?' Advertisement "It's nice to be able to breathe a bit.' The Green and Red remain without a manager after McStay's tenure was somewhat 1 The hitman has registered 46-533 for his county since making his debut in 2011 The county board's statement informing supporters of the 63-year-old being "relieved" of his duties drew widespread criticism for being needlessly cold in its tone. Advertisement That McStay had had to take an enforced leave of absence for health reasons in May made large swaths of Mayo's fanbase particularly irritated at their officials. In the days afterwards the county board In a meeting between the Executive and Mayo club representatives, Vice Chairperson Michael Diskin issued an apology on behalf of Mayo GAA. Advertisement Per 'The manner and tone of the original communication didn't adequately reflect the deep respect and appreciation we hold for Kevin. For this, we offer our heartfelt apologies.'
The Irish Sun
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I don't see any flaws' – Joe Brolly in no doubt as he predicts All-Ireland winner between Kerry & Donegal
CALL him the Gwen Stefani of GAA predictions because Joe Brolly is in no doubt that Donegal will end up lifting Sam Maguire. Brolly has 4 He's certain the cup will be heading up to Ulster on July 27 4 Oisín Gallen was one of three goalscorers in their semi-final rout of Meath 4 Paudie Clifford's brother David is the only person who could ruin Brolly's prediction according to the man himself 4 'Don't speak' might be Jack O'Connor's advice for Brolly at this stage And he's done so again despite them really seeming to have kicked into a new gear on the back of Speaking on his "The only possibility is that David Clifford would do something extraordinary." It's an interestingly emphatic prediction given bookmakers actually have Kerry as one-point favourites. Read More On GAA Boss Jack O'Connor would certainly disagree with the ex- The Kingdom chief said: 'I know we wasted chances — two or three at the back post that looked like tap-ins, it's disappointing, because we prided ourselves throughout the league on scoring goals. 'At least we created the chances — and the last day we were creating two-pointer chances. I think it's a sign of the team that they recognised what's in front of them. 'There was a bit more space inside this time and they put the ball in and created those chances. Of course we'd have had an easier afternoon if we'd converted a few of them. Most read in GAA Football "This is a mature team. Most of the boys are a good age. They are in their mid-to-late 20s — 27, 28, that is a good age group. They're mature lads and that was a mature performance. 'We slowed it down when we had to and we sped it up when we had to. I thought we kicked the ball through the lines well and found David in one-on-one situations, and that is always good for us.' 'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal In the same post-match briefing captain Gavin White revealed their shock defeat to Meath was the kick in the backside the Kingdom needed to reignite their season. The Munster champions blew top spot in Group 2 of the All-Ireland series when the But O'Connor rallied his troops as they saw off Cavan, Armagh They battered the Breffni 3-20 to 1-17, WHITE NOISE White put in a trademark captain's display, sparking Kingdom attacks as his side fired 0-9 without reply in the second half to send sorry Tyrone packing. Their skipper knows the Meath performance was not a true reflection of their talents and the wing-back gave an insight into the dressing-room mood after the loss. White said: 'After the Meath game we were all very disappointed in our performance. We knew that wasn't us. 'We got a bit of slack for it but we tried to keep all that out of the camp. We knew the quality that we have in training and we believed in what we were capable of. 'So we just battened down the hatches going into the Cavan game, went back to basics and built from there. 'Obviously the Armagh game was huge considering what happened last year, so we wanted to rectify that and thankfully we were able to bring that into Saturday as well. 'I'm over the moon that we're able to play as well as we are at the business end of the year and we look forward to an All-Ireland final in two weeks' time.'
The Irish Sun
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Joe Brolly refuses to back down over Kerry criticism even after Jack O'Connor called him out following upset of Armagh
JOE Brolly has defended his criticism of Kerry's panel prior to their decisive All-Ireland quarter-final win over Armagh. The nature of 3 The 1993 All-Ireland winner had tipped the Orchard to come out on top 3 But Kerry's run of 14 successive points propelled them to a 0-32 to -1-21 triumph 3 Sean O'Shea led the way as he contributed 0-12 His comments were placed under a far greater microscope when manager Jack O'Connor O'Connor acknowledged: 'One of the great motivators in life is trying to prove people wrong. We were being portrayed as a one-man team. 'I saw somebody writing this morning that said the only Kerry player worthy of being called a Kerry player was David Clifford. "Now, David is a great player but David will tell you that there was a fair supporting cast there today.' Read More On GAA Brolly has now defended the offending article which also branded O'Connor's charges "useless altogether". The ex- Speaking on the The Derry native insisted: "You're like one of these people on Twitter who read the headline of the piece and now go then, 'Well, what do you say now?!' Most read in GAA Football "Let me try to explain this to you. My pieces are an entertainment, they're a conversation in the pub. They're written before the games - you understand that? "I don't have a crystal ball, games are chaotic and unpredictable! Anything can and often does happen. 'Lots of fight' - RTE GAA pundits react to Sean O'Shea's 'very interesting' interview after Kerry dethrone Armagh "These pieces essentially - I'm not one bit irritated! - they're fun. "That's why they're read, that's why people get into it and enjoy the conversation and the debate and all the rest of it." Despite dealing with an extensive injury list, Kerry stormed into an All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone on Saturday July 12. No part was played at Croker by Paul Geaney, Mike Breen, Tadhg Morley, Diarmuid O'Connor, Tony Brosnan or Barry Dan O'Sullivan. Tom O'Sullivan limped off in the first half and Paudie Clifford was only fit enough to be subbed on at the break. Still, O'Connor acknowledged that his introduction 'gave everybody a lift' and the Fossa man had a big impact as the Munster champions seized control.
