IT’S BEEN TWENTY years since Kerry last won an All-Ireland minor title, far too long as far as Jack O’Connor’s concerned.
Far too long as far as most Kerry people are concerned no doubt, but after reaching a first final in eight years after yesterday’s semi-final win over Mayo, their manager is hopeful the whole county will now get fully behind his team.
“It’s been loo long, yeah. The likes of Denis Dwyer was on that last team, and sure he’s long retired. It will be a massive one, with a big build-up, and I just hope the whole county gets behind us now.”
Despite winning somewhat comfortably in the end, Kerry actually trailed Mayo at half-time yesterday, a first-half in which Mayo captain Cian Hanley was withdrawn through injury.
“I found it very frustrating because I thought we were the better team in both halves and it wasn’t being reflected on the scoreboard, but we were a bit nervous,” explained the vastly experienced Kerry boss.
“I’m hoping the Croke Park nerves will be gone out of the system the next day and we’ll relax a bit and play the game we’re capable of playing.
“I think we’ve a right good chance in the final, it was just that we snatched at chances in the first-half. They’re young and they were nervous. We settled them down at half-time and we played much more controlled football in the second-half.
“I kept saying (when we were missing early shots), we’re better than this, we just had to settle down and that happens with young lads. They were very nervous but just delighted now that we’re through, even though we weren’t as fluent as we’d have liked.”
The performance of both Mayo and Kerry’s goalkeepers, Matthew Flanagan and Shane Ryan respectively, were highlights of a high quality minor contest.
While Ryan caught the eye with a 50 metre free in the second-half, Mayo goalkeeper Flanagan was full of energy and he saved a Jordan Kiely penalty.
“(The penalty miss) was a four-point swing because they went down and got a point off us. We had contemplated telling him to go for a point.
“But it’s a huge pressure occasion. It’s normal that they make mistakes.”
Among Kerry’s star performers on the day was young Killian Spillane, a nephew of Kerry legend Pat, while substitutes Liam Kearney and in particular Liam Carey also stood out.
“Killian’s a good young fella, with a fantastic attitude.
“Liam was a bit unlucky not to start and he gave us a real injection of energy when he came in and we’ll be hoping there’s huge competition for starting places now for the final.”
Next up for Kerry; the winner of Dublin and Donegal, who like Kerry are both well fancied after their provincial successes. But the three time All-Ireland senior winning manager, who has also led Kerry to U21 All-Ireland glory, says he isn’t quite looking to the final yet.
“Ah we’ll enjoy this for the moment, and give our thoughts to the opposition from next weekend.
“But it’s a great feeling to be in the final. There’s nothing like the month of September, preparing for an All-Ireland final. It’s what we live for.”
