Seventh All-Ireland final beckons for Kerry's self-styled football outsider
'This group have been in a few finals like. They were here in '22, '23…,' he begins.
'They were here in '19, sorry — '19, '22, '23 — so this will be their fourth final, most of those boys.
'Paul Murphy, Paul Geaney were there in '14. And '15. So there is a good bit of experience in the group, yeah.'
And what it means, of course?
'Sure of course it counts. Where it counts more than anything is in the build-up to it. You know to avoid getting carried away in the euphoria of the thing, and keeping the main thing the main thing, if you know what I mean.
'Keeping your priorities right, and keeping the focus on arriving here in your best physical and mental condition. To play the game rather than the occasion.'
If there is one thing he laments, in what he calls the 'old days', it was the month of a lead-in to the final. But that can't be helped either.
The season starts with the bang of a gun and teams have to put their head down to make the early yards. There's barely a chance to get the head up and see where everyone else is. All you can do is take nothing for granted, and Tyrone are not a side that O'Connor has learned to take for granted.
Advertisement
O'Connor shakes hands with Peter Teague. Tom O'Hanlon / INPHO Tom O'Hanlon / INPHO / INPHO
'Tyrone had some big results that almost went under the radar. They beat Donegal above in Ballybofey, very few teams do that. I don't think it was picked up too much in the media,' said O'Connor.
'Beat Dublin here; I don't care what they say about Dublin, Dublin are still a hard team to beat here in Croke Park. They would have come into this game with a lot of confidence and there was lot a noise about our game, which meant Tyrone were coming in under the radar.
'I thought that showed early on. I thought, in the first 15 minutes, Tyrone were the better team. They settled quicker and had us in a lot of bother on breaking ball around the middle of the field. As soon as we got to terms with that, I thought the game changed and David's goal settled us.'
The kickout count was heavily in Tyrone's favour before Kerry arrested that. In the second half, Tyrone simply couldn't cope. A good part of that was the man sitting beside O'Connor in the press briefing. Gavin White won three break balls from Niall Morgan's kickout in the third quarter alone.
'No better man than this man here,' said O'Connor of the Dr Crokes man.
'That was the thing that was killing us early on. There was a bit of a disconnect between Shane's kickouts and fellas getting to the pitch of the breaks. We spoke about that at half-time and that was a big factor in the second half.'
This win was less of the Catherine Wheel spectacular of the win over Armagh, but it could have been even more impressive. It doesn't feel like a performance is being magicked up out of nowhere.
'It was a more rounded performance because I thought that spell against Armagh was a bit freakish. It was like they just couldn't get their kickout away and we kept the ball up that end of the field,' said O'Connor.
David Clifford celebrates. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
'I think this was a more rounded performance because Tyrone are very big around the middle of the field, Kennedy and Kilpatrick are big men and they have a lot of targets, and Morgan has a serious weapon of a kickout. The two boys (O'Shea and O'Brien) plugged away great for most of the game, and then Joe finished up midfield and what a game Joe had. Powerful game, he is getting better all the time.'
Kerry supporters have had all sorts of things thrown at them. Occasionally, outsiders paint a pretty vulgar picture of their assessments of players.
But this team seem to be reaching for a deeper connection. You can see it in David Clifford most of all. He has been appealing for greater turnouts of fans, and when he plundered his first-half goal here, made a huge show of trying to raise the decibel level among the Kerry support.
It's working.
'I mean it was no secret that Armagh seriously outnumbered us here at this stage last year,' said O'Connor.
'And I know I got stick for it but I said at the time that they were a factor in the game. And I don't think anyone could dispute that.
'(The) Kerry crowd were a factor today big time. So delighted with that. The support travel in huge numbers.
'And long may it continue. I mean these boys are giving everything for the cause. And they're playing good football. So they deserve to be supported. And we're delighted that, you know, I don't have the language to describe it.
'But it's working both ways, you know. They're getting energy from the crowd. And the crowd are getting energy from the players.'
Meanwhile, O'Connor noted at the end of his press conference that Paul and Conor Geaney, along with Tom O'Sullivan, will be in a position to make a contribution in the final.
*
Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
'You don't know what's around the corner': Conor Lehane resilient through Cork ups and downs
The last time I sat opposite Conor Lehane was at Midleton's 2021 county final press evening. The last question I put to him inquired about a return to red. After 10 seasons on the inter-county stage, 2021 was his first time out of the Cork loop. His focus was exclusively trained on club matters. He was tearing up the same club arena. A top-scoring total of 0-42 - 0-25 from the placed-ball - in Midleton's five game run to the local decider. And so as our conversation was approaching full-time, I asked if he was hopeful of a Cork recall in 2022. 'I wouldn't think anything past tonight even,' replied Lehane. 'If your head is elsewhere, you wouldn't be fully in where you are, so you don't want to be doing it for other reasons, which is unfair to everyone.' His 2021 story, not that everyone doesn't already know the ending, finished with a winning 0-13 county final haul and a return ticket to the Cork set-up. That red sequel, mind, has been neither smooth nor straightforward. His introduction three minutes into second-half injury-time against Waterford on May 25 was only his third involvement of 2025 and first championship involvement in 337 days. His 65th minute point last time out against Dublin was his first Croke Park score going right the way back to the same semi-final stage of the 2018 championship. 'I didn't realise that. That's kind of sad,' he half laughs in reply to our pointing out of that seven-year stat at last week's All-Ireland final press evening. 'You genuinely don't know what's around the corner. As you get older, you'd understand that a bit better, and you've to go through the ups and downs of something to appreciate that a bit more. 'You're always aware of it but until it actually happens, you get a real insight then of how gutting it can be when things don't go as expected. But it's your reaction to it and how you apply yourself to the next thing is key, and that starts way, way before something might happen. 'Seven years later, the good mentality for that could happen years prior, so it's key just to make sure the disappointment that's there is addressed, parked, and then it's what's up next and make sure you're bringing your best self to that.' His 56th minute point against Limerick seven years ago shoved Cork six clear. Limerick roared back and roared on. Lehane was sat at home for the 2021 All-Ireland final defeat to the same green machine and sat unused in the Hogan Stand 12 months ago when Clare kept the famine going on Leeside. All thrown together, he's still waiting 12 years later for further All-Ireland final involvement. The events of 12 months ago were the latest example in Lehane's red story that very few sporting careers run in linear fashion. Of the 10 outfield players on Cork's 2024 All-Ireland final bench, only two - Lehane and Pádraig Power - didn't get a look in during the 90 minutes. His response is fascinating. He doesn't shy away from how he felt when overlooked. He's also a brutal realist. His is an outlook hardened by so much of 2025 being similarly overlooked, even if there were interrupting injuries during the League. 'Obviously I'd love to have been involved,' he says of last July. 'I'd have loved to have been a part of it and try and make an impact, but it's about being a grown up as well and if that's not the case then you've got to take it on the chin and regroup again. You've no other choice, really. 'Every player that's involved wants to be getting as much game time as humanly possible, everyone wants to be impacting positively, and when it doesn't happen, you'd be heartbroken in a way. But that's the whole gig. It's sport, it's not meant to be this kind of nice, everyone gets a go. Every player here has experienced the highs and lows of coming on, hopefully, with a big win on the team and others not coming on at all and mentally dealing with that.' Wayne Sherlock was also present at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last week. He heaped praise on the 32-year-old for never raising his voice and forever keeping his head down during those barren times. Read More Seánie McGrath: Tipperary yet to prove they can live with destructive Cork trio 'He came back this year and have I ever seen him complain or look pissed off? No. There's a lot of fellas who are pissed off and should be because they're not getting game-time, it's very, very hard, but I've never looked at him once and said, 'he's not happy tonight',' Sherlock remarked. 'He just comes in, keeps the head down, gets his work done. The way he has performed [in training] since before the Munster final, he deserves every minute he gets on the pitch.' The doors slid favourably and fortunately for him on the night of the Munster final. He was sent into action at the end of the third of four injury-time allotted minutes. Aaron Gillane was lining up a potentially match-winning free further down the Mackey Stand. The free was off-target, as were Ciarán Joyce and Darragh O'Donovan in an erratic and exhilarating finish. Had any of the three pointed, Lehane would never have got the 20 extra-time minutes where he spectacularly re-emerged in red. He sniped a pair of points. He assisted a third. He nailed the penalty that resuscitated Cork early in the shootout. 'It's brilliant to get that opportunity to have that 20 minutes and just showcase or do whatever you can to impact the game,' continued the Bulmers employee. 'It was unreal to experience [penalties], especially the way I'd been out for a while and not really involved, and then when the opportunity came you don't be thinking about that because you'd be a bag of nerves otherwise. 'To be involved in the way it ended, the aftermath and the dressing room, it's worth any bit of hardship you went through throughout the year to experience that. And I know it's not guaranteed but when it did happen, you just try and take in the moment as best as you can.' One more moment he craves, one more opportunity.
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Meet the former Rebel who makes the hurleys for Cork legend Patrick Horgan
Former Cork senior hurler Aidan Walsh knows more than most about hurling. The Kanturk man, who now makes hurleys in his spare time, also knows that in the hands of a wizard like Cork hurling ace Patrick Horgan, a hurley is not just a piece of wood — it's a tool he can use to write another chapter in the storied history of the GAA. For over a decade, Aidan has been crafting the sticks that have helped the Glen Rovers sharp-shooter, renowned for his trademark accuracy from play and placed balls, become the highest scorer in championship history — three goals and 50 points this season alone to bring his championship total to a staggering 32 goals and 679 points. Cork's Patrick Horgan shoots over a point against Clare. Picture: Eddie O'Hare He has ensured that every curve, every ounce of weight, every grip on every hurley he has crafted for the lethal forward meets his specific requirements — each hurley built for moments when inches matter and split-second reactions decide games. He'll be watching closer than most on Sunday as the Rebels bid to end the 20-year drought, and Hoggie bids to win that elusive All-Ireland medal. 'He'll be playing on Sunday with the hurley I made him before the league final,' Aidan says. 'I make about three or four whenever he needs them, but he doesn't break many of them.' Aidan, who makes hurleys in his spare time in a small workshop in Kanturk, prefers to get his ash from England, Scotland or Wales, because the ash grown further east is of a lesser quality. 'It's a little lighter, so at the moment English ash is about the best,' he says. 'When I get a delivery in, I can see which planks look best, which have the best grain to suit Hoggie and I will pick those out and set them aside for him for when he needs a hurley.' Wood chippings fly as Aidan works on a new hurley in his workshop. Picture: Howard Crowdy And he makes a batch while Hoggie stands watching. It means that tweaks can be made at every stage of the production process to ensure the bespoke handcrafted product is just what Hoggie needs. 'The days of throwing a bag of hurleys on the ground and telling players to pick one are long gone,' he says. 'Most players at this elite intercounty level, especially if they are passionate about the sport, know exactly what style of hurley and what weight of hurley they want. Aidan cutting out the shape of the hurley. Picture: Howard Crowdy 'They will have a number one hurley that they will always try to use and number two, three and four as well. 'And to be honest, of all the hurleys I make, this one takes the longest time. 'I am fairly familiar with what he wants in a hurley, but we're able to make the small changes as we go to make sure that he's 100% happy with it.' A former intercounty footballer and hurler with Cork, Aidan won an U21 All-Ireland football medal in 2009 and went on to play senior under Conor Counihan. He played both codes during the 2014 season, winning a Munster Championship medal that year but focused on inter-county hurling only for 2015. He rejoined the Cork senior football team in the summer of 2016, and committed to the football team for the 2017 and 2018 seasons, before committing to the senior hurling squad from 2019 onwards. Aidan seen checking on a hurley during the sanding process in his workshop in Kanturk. Picture: Howard Crowdy However, later that year, he was told he would not be part of the management team's plans, and that spelled the end of his intercounty career. But he's played at that level, he knows the players, and what they need. So what is it about a Hoggie hurley that's so special? 'It's heavier than a normal hurley, it's almost the weight of a goalkeeper's hurley and it has a very big or thick bás,' Aidan says. 'The grip is more rounded than square and the champfer on the bás all the way down to the heel is deeper on one side than the other; it's the side that faces the ground when he's lifting the ball for a free. 'That makes it easier for him to get the bás closer to the ground and easier to pick the ball. 'It's the small details like that that are so important to get right.' He feels a certain amount of pressure but more so a sense of responsibility to make sure that Hoggie has the right hurley to do the job on the pitch. 'But I certainly have the easier job of the two of us. I just have to make the right hurley. He has to go out and perform on the pitch,' he says. 'Of course, I always want him to do well — they say if Hoggie's doing well, Cork is doing well. Aidan with his nearly completed hurley. Picture: Howard Crowdy 'There was panic stations the week before last year's All Ireland final when he broke his number one hurley and I had to drop everything to make a replacement. 'So I'll be a bit nervous alright this week hoping that he doesn't crack his number one hurley. 'He could go a whole year without breaking a hurley but anything can happen in a training session — one flick, one block here, or one clash there. Ash is very unforgiving that way. 'But rest assured, if he does break a hurley over the coming days, I will drop everything to make sure we will get it sorted.' Fanzone Meanwhile, as the scramble for All-Ireland tickets continues, free tickets to the Rebels' Fanzone event in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday are set to be released for booking on Thursday morning. The free, family-friendly, alcohol-free event will be fully ticketed, and u16s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets will be made available from 7.30am on Thursday via Cork GAA's website Cork City Council's website and from Tickets will be limited to a maximum of five per person, and capacity is limited. Organisers have appealed to fans to only apply for tickets if they are certain they will use them A ticket transfer and cancellation window, including the ability to cancel or transfer some of your tickets, will be open until midnight on Saturday.
Irish Independent
7 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Kildare referee Brendan Cawley to take charge of All-Ireland senior football final
It will be the Sarsfields club man's first time taking charge of an All-Ireland senior football final, having made his senior inter-county debut as a referee six years ago. He officiated Kerry's All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Armagh last month as well as the Ulster final between Donegal and Armagh, which Jim McGuinness' side won after extra-time. He was also the man-in-the-middle for their provincial first-round victory over Derry. Monaghan's Martin McNally is his stand-by referee on the day, which will be Cawley's 30th championship game as referee. Kildare GAA lauded Cawley's 'dedication, consistency and composure' in a statement on X saying it was a matter of when rather than if he'd get the top job, having previously taken charge of the All-Ireland club football final in 2024 when Derry's Glen defeated Roscommon's St Brigid's. 'His dedication, consistency, and composure have long marked him out as one of the very best in the game, and it is fitting that he now takes charge of this prestigious fixture,' wrote Kildare GAA. Cawley follows in the footsteps of Sean Hurson who threw the ball-in for last year's decider between Armagh and Galway. He'll be the first Kildare man to referee the final since 2005 when Michael Monaghan took charge of Kerry's victory over Tyrone.
