O’Keefe: we must take our chances
In a media briefing immediately after the team's arrival from Perth, he said the key to attaining this goal would be a greater conversion of chances whenever they enjoy a period of dominance.
It was back to the serious business of preparing for the second test shortly after the team settled into their luxurious hotel in downtown Melbourne.
By prior arrangement, the squad had been given a two days break after last Friday night's opening game in Perth, or as the manager put it, a "release" from the strict regime of the previous week.
Leaving their Perth base at 8am and arriving into Melbourne Airport at 5pm (losing three hours in crossing from Western Australia), they had a rigorous work-out in the hotel gymnasium.
This morning they will train twice in the MCG and will have further sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.
"We had a good meeting on Sunday night. The fellows had two nights off, but I know now that they are back on terra firma," said O'Keefe.
"They are very focused and they're very anxious to get going again to rectify our situation.
"I had decided beforehand they were always going to get two days off. The build-up to the game was pretty intense. They are having to put up with a lot of discipline and they obviously needed a bit of release.
"Some of these players from different parts of the country don't actually know each other well, so it was an ideal opportunity to socialise and meet each other under different circumstances."
O'Keefe said there was "a lot of confidence" in the squad that they could do better. Such confidence, he said, was largely based on appreciating the capacity for improvement in the quality of their shooting.
While he was pleased with the overall commitment particularly to winning the ball and making marks he felt that their poor shooting at critical stages had been "inexplicable".
"That's a Gaelic football skill and it left us down badly not only in our shooting but in some of our passing outfield as well. We were unable to find the man for marks," he added.
"We played very well in the first quarter, when obviously we were fresh. But, as the Aussies put in the hits, they took their toll. Fatigue must have had a bearing on some of the kicking, or else it was a mental thing, that they felt the pressure in that sometimes these kicks were 'a must make', if you like."
The Irish manager once again accepted the big Aussie full-forward, Barry Hall, represents a significant threat and the management will have to try and counteract it.
It won't be as easy task, taking into account his mobility, physical strength and skill.
"That is a concern for us," he agreed.
"It will be important for us to settle in well. Obviously we need to stay in touch. But I don't think we need frantically to go for six-pointers early in the game. Eighty minutes is a long time. Our main concern is that we are still in touch going into the final quarter.
"The Australians scored only seven points in the final quarter last Friday night. Their constant support and running for one another does tire them out nearly as much as having to take the tackles.
"The third quarter is the vital one. Having looked at the goals again, some of their's were a little fortuitous. Maybe we'll have the few breaks the next time.
"I feel that the way Gaelic football is played, we should be scoring more goals. The nature of our game says we should have more ideas in front of goal. I notice that the Australians are playing the ball more astutely in front of goal, so they are getting six-pointers!"
Meanwhile O'Keefe hasn't given up hope of having Declan Browne available, but says his recovery is taking more time than they have.
"He would nearly want to be jogging by today to have a realistic chance. Other than that we have no injuries. The four players who didn't take part are very anxious to be involved and we'll take a decision on them during the week."
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