Peace and harmony break out in the Kingdom
After more than two weeks of controversy courted from that infamous newspaper interview given by Páidí Ó Sé, the team manager is now believed to be back on terms with selector John O'Keeffe.
The pair had fallen out because Ó Sé hinted to the media he wanted to take over team fitness coaching duties from O'Keeffe. This in turn led to fears O'Keeffe would tender his resignation
Last night, county board chairman Sean Walsh drawing on a "turbulent and chastening" experience said differences between the "very contrite" pair had been resolved at a meeting in Tralee on Sunday.
Neither Ó Sé nor O'Keeffe attended last night's press conference at the county GAA headquarters in Tralee, but statements from both were read out by Mr Walsh.
In his statement, Ó Sé apologised unreservedly to O'Keeffe and his family, saying he had the greatest respect for his professionalism; had total confidence in him, and his training programmes were "consistently appropriate and effective".
O'Keeffe, a teacher in Tralee, welcomed the unequivocal statement from the manager, adding he was gratified to note Ó Sé's remarks regarding his physical training programmes.
Ó Sé also apologised to the Kerry supporters, whom he had described as "fucking animals".
At the press conference, Mr Walsh, flanked by county secretary Eamon O'Sullivan and PRO Willie O'Connor, said he had strongly advised Ó Sé not to give the RTÉ interview in South Africa to which O'Keeffe took serious exception. This interview had brought the crisis to a head.
"I advised him that under no circumstances should that interview go ahead, but Páidí took a decision himself and he probably regrets it now," Mr Walsh said.
"Both men and the selectors are now willing to work together for the rest of the year. It was also the express wish of all the members of the Kerry senior panel that the same management team should remain intact."
On the original interview with the Sunday Independent, Mr Walsh felt the manager used "inappropriate" language to get his message across.
Meanwhile, regarding reports that a number of holidaying GAA players frolicked naked around a swimming pool in a Cape Town hotel during a raucous night, Mr Walsh said no Kerry players were involved.
"All the Kerry players were in bed. They weren't involved in that behaviour that night," he insisted.
