Jack O'Connor lifts Kerry to All-Ireland No39 but says he's still just ‘trotting after Micko' in Kingdom's golden legacy

The Irish Sun

7 days ago

AFTER five All-Irelands across three stints in charge, Jack O'Connor refuses to emerge from Mick O'Dwyer's shadow.
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Kerry players, staff and family celebrate with after their 39th Sam Maguire cup win
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Kerry manager Jack O'Connor hailed the late and great Mick O'Dwyer after the triumph
Micko made All-Irelands a right of passage in Kerry. Sam Maguire is their trophy, and only ever on loan when it goes elsewhere.
Nobody knows that more than
But he still carried Micko's mantle to win his
O'Dwyer won his first Sam as boss 50 years ago this summer, and his last 11 years later in 1986.
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After the final game, GAA president Jarlath Burns said from the Hogan Stand steps that it's time for Jacko and Micko to be mentioned in the same breath.
Not many can argue with that now, even if O'Connor did his best after their 10-point mauling of Donegal.
Five as manager ends the debate over his greatness as a manager, even if his credentials in Kerry were often questioned. Those queries can no longer be asked.
One of his proudest moments was visiting O'Dwyer in Waterville with Sam - a memory he will cherish forever.
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Micko led the way - and Jack has only followed.
He said: 'Sure look, the rest of us are only trotting after Micko. He's created a great history and tradition in Kerry and the rest of us are only trotting after him now.
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"It's a bit sentimental for me because I brought the cup to him, to his house in 2022. We had a nice half an hour of a chat there and there was a nice photograph taken of the thing.
'So I'll treasure that always because he was an idol of mine. As I say, he's created history, and the rest of us are all trotting after him.'
When Micko took them to the top, O'Connor ensured they stayed there.
They say you should never go back - but the Dromid Pearses man's third coming has delivered TWO to titles on top of their glory in 2004, 2006 and 2009.
He is now the the third most successful manager in the history of Gaelic Football - only behind Micko on eight and Jim Gavin on six.
Their 2022 title was one thing, but this was another. Dublin stealing their crown in 2023 hurt badly.
But a new, darker and angrier shade of blue proved their class at Croker.
Kerry were down and out after their shock group stage
O'Connor warned us how dangerous they can be when they are questioned as Armagh, Tyrone and Donegal bore the brunt of and as they stormed home to title 39.
This was no classic, but Kerry won't care. One medal is never enough in the Kingdom and now the bulk of this squad have two, and Paul Geaney and Paul Murphy won their third.
CLIFFORD CLASS
His coronation as the greatest of all was rubber stamped in 2022 and cemented here - even if Donegal full-back Brendan McCole did a half decent job on him.
His brother, Paudie was equally devastating and the cheer of the day rang out at Croker when the siblings and David's son, Ogie, held Sam aloft with glee.
Clifford had barely touched the ball until his first orange flag on nine minutes, and Kerry laid down a marker that this game would be played on their terms.
Donegal's zonal defensive shape was torn apart, as Gavin White made Croke Park his own and capped a stunning captain's display with 0-3.
Kerry devoured Donegal on kick-outs and breaking ball - two facets of the Ulster champions that led them to this final.
But leaving McFadden on the bench yesterday hurt them in the middle, and those wounds opened even more when Ciarán Thompson hobbled off after 23 minutes.
Joe O'Connor was the main reason for Kerry's midfield conviction - and his journey to the top has been a hell of a story.
The Austin Stacks clubman was their captain in 2022 yet could not get into O'Connor's team. He was only 22 at the time, and still getting grips with life in that daunting green and gold jersey.
The man who could not be picked for their All-Ireland final win over Galway three years ago cannot be left out, and his heroic display won this Sam Maguire.
He annihilated Donegal in the air, set up countless Kerry attacks and sealed the fairytale ending when he hammered the ball past Shaun Patton into the net in front of Hill 16.
And his manager could only gleam at O'Connor's journey from the side of the stage to the main act on the biggest day of all.
KINGDOM COME
He said: 'Yeah, Joe was inspirational. I said it here a few weeks ago, a man that played a bit part here in 22, even though he was captain - he played five minutes of that final.
'The way that man has got down to work, improved himself physically and football-wise is just a credit. He's a great lad and he's got a massive effect on the rest of the players.'
Donegal are on their own journey and will be back. McGuinness has unfinished business, and keeping comeback legend Michael Murphy on board - who turns 36 next month - will be crucial heading into 2026.
O'Connor might well bow out at the top, and what a way to do it. There will be no photograph this time, but he will take Sam to Waterville first.
As long as Kerry are winning All-Irelands, Micko's mantra is alive and well.