Play it again, Sam: the Kingdom make it 33

KERRY selector Ger O’Keeffe today offers a rare insight into the planning and precision behind one of the most devastating All-Ireland final displays in modern times at Croke Park yesterday.

In the first extract from a special diary commissioned for the Irish Examiner, O’Keeffe speaks of the players’ sense of “mission and focus” ahead of yesterday’s 1-20 to 2-9 All-Ireland final victory over Mayo - and the criticism that drove the Kingdom to their 33rd title.

“There is a sense of unity and focus that I have never seen,” he says. “Fellas are relaxed and smiling, because they know they are ready. They know they will produce. I hope they do. This team deserves to show people what they are made of.”

Later he adds: “This has been a great year for Kerry football. We have taken an amount of criticism, and scarcely got the plaudits when we deserved them. We had rough patches, but looking back to the first League loss in Longford, it was a watershed.”

Yesterday’s 33rd title for new coach Jack O’Connor and selectors O’Keeffe and Johnny Culloty completed a magical 2004 for the Kingdom - winning the League, Munster title and All-Ireland in their first campaign in charge.

More than 79,700 fans watched spellbound as Kerry rebounded from an early Alan Dillon goal for Mayo to overwhelm the Connacht champions.

Man of the match Colm Cooper was described as a “genius” by his coach after scoring 1-5, the goal a memorable solo effort. It was the Kingdom’s first All-Ireland final goal since the decider against Tyrone 18 years ago.

Cooper, too, felt a sense of vindication. “Everyone was so determined to come back after the last few disappointments and prove a point - that we could win an All-Ireland, that we weren’t just a flash in the pan who only succeeded when the football was flashy and loose. We heard all the whispers - ‘when things are tight, they don’t want to know about it’. Now people might see us differently,” he said.

Kingdom legend Seamus Moynihan returned to action after four frustrating months on the sideline for his third All-Ireland winners’ medal - and toasted the first-half display of his colleagues.

“It was the most complete display I have seen from a Kerry side in my career,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tyrone won the All-Ireland minor title with a three-point victory over the Kingdom.