After years of torture and torment, the Mid Kerry club finally struggles over a major psychological hurdle to claim its first Kerry Junior football title, writes Tony Leen

ÉAMONN Fitzmaurice was referring to Stephen Cluxton’s radar kickouts, but he might have been subconsciously alluding to Kerry’s inexplicable no-show in last year’s All-Ireland final.

Darran O’Sullivan: I’d love to playing soccer like Lionel Messi...

Darran is a fan of shepherd's pie, House of Cards, Dave McIntryre, Messi and especially Giggsy.

For 37 minutes on Sunday, seven of Kerry’s team were either over 30 or in Darran O’Sullivan’s case turning 30 this year.

Eamonn Fitzmaurice was not able to provide a prognosis on James O’Donoghue’s shoulder injury following yesterday’s All-Ireland quarter-final.

James O’Donoghue claims Kerry would prefer more games if they had the opportunity to change the All-Ireland senior football championship structure.

The big issue is making sure the appetite isn’t sated:

For some reason, I was never overly fond of the word ‘mobility’. 

Tonight's spolier-free guide to the best of the telly.

Dublin’s James McCarthy believes Darran O’Sullivan’s decision to step away from his job for one more conducive to his football commitments proves how focused Kerry are on retaining their All-Ireland title.

Kerry’s Darran O’Sullivan admits he quit his job so he could concentrate on saving his football career.

Growing up in Cromane, Donnchadh Walsh had no ambition to play for Mid Kerry.

Eamonn Fitzmaurice was midway through his post-match media conference after Sunday’s defeat of Galway when Paul Murphy was ushered into the room under the Cusack Stand and into a seat beside his manager.

Truth be told, Darran O’Sullivan was surprised he started the semi-final against Clare. To be taken off at half-time wasn’t all that earth-shattering.

Clare 1-13 Kerry 1-17

Eamonn Fitzmaurice admitted Kerry’s humbling defeat yesterday has changed his mind about their 11-week break until their championship bow.

Colm Cooper admitted he initially feared he would never play again after sustaining his season-ending cruciate injury last month.

Colm Cooper insistsKerry’s players didn’t snub Ireland boss Paul Earley as many believe but weresimply forced to choose club over country in this weekend’s action.

The name of Kieran Donaghy is missing from the Kerry team announced last night for their All-Ireland SFC semi-final clash with Dublin at Croke Park on Sunday (throw-in 3.30pm).

Welcome back, Declan O’Sullivan. By our reckoning, it’s over two years since his words appeared in a national newspaper.

Feale Rangers 0-19 Mid Kerry 1-15 (aet)

Darran O'Sullivan, the scorer of Kerry's second goal against Tipperary last Sunday, has failed to force his way into the team to face Waterford in tomorrow night's Munster SFC semi-final at Fitzgerald Stadium (throw-in 7pm).

Anthony Maher insists the pressure for places within the Kerry dressing room will ensure that there is no complacency when the Kingdom meet Waterford in their Munster Championship semi-final this weekend.

With Bryan Sheehan not about and neither James O’Donoghue or Kieran O’Leary starting, it seemed a reasonable decision to award the Kerry penalty kicking duties to someone with a strong soccer background like Darran O’Sullivan.

For Kerry, tomorrow is another day, another gambit. Eamonn Fitzmaurice will entrust the No 14 jersey this time to Darran O’Sullivan for the daunting trip to Ballybofey to meet All-Ireland champions Donegal.

Jim McGuinness says that Donegal cannot afford to be as picky as Kerry when it comes to the manner in which they seek to win All-Ireland titles.

With a smile and a laugh, Colm Cooper puts one theory to bed quickly — him wearing the number 14 jersey has nothing to do with a ‘piseog’.

Revenge? Retribution? Resurrection? None of the above.

Darran O’Sullivan has been held in reserve for Kerry’s All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Tyrone at Fitzgerald Stadium tomorrow.

Carney: Years at the top have taken their toll

They grasped silverware again in April yet the applause did not come tumbling down from the stands to greet Cork’s third successive league title.

Kerry face Cork in Sunday’s Munster semi-final with 11 of the team that beat Tipperary last Sunday week. Bryan Sheehan has been ruled out with a knee injury, while there’s a recall for Kieran Donaghy, a used substitute in Thurles.

DARRAN McCANN

Colm Cooper makes his first appearance of the year for Kerry as he captains the side against Mayo in Sunday’s Division 1 game in Fitzgerald Stadium.

Colm Cooper makes his first appearance of the year for Kerry as he captains the side against Mayo in Sunday’s Division 1 game in Fitzgerald Stadium.

IN the end they fell just short.

MID Kerry’s inter-county contingent will have a major say in the outcome of Sunday’s Kerry senior final, according to team captain Colm Kerins.