We’re still looking for right blend, says unhappy O’Connor

YOU waited to hear Jack O’Connor say straight out that Kerry were poor and that they wouldn’t win the Munster final on this performance.

At the same time, though, you knew it wouldn’t be his style.

But, in so many words, the Kingdom’s manager admitted his team’s display wasn’t up to scratch, and he was critical to a degree about some aspects of their play in Fitzgerald Stadium yesterday.

Specifically, he wasn’t happy that there had been a “reluctance to put ball into the full-forward line”. That was a worry, he conceded, and something they would have to work on — once he gets his players back after county championship games next weekend.

“We’re still not firing on all cylinders up there (in the forward line). That’s fairly obvious. We didn’t threaten the goal, which is always a bit of a worry. We’re still looking for the right blend. We’ll keep looking and keep working.

He also felt that his team “went into a bit of a malaise” after they opened up a six-point gap — allowing Tipp back into the game after scoring a goal. On the positive side, it pleased him that they pulled away comfortably to win at the end.

Overall, he felt their attitude and general application was much better.

“There was nothing wrong with our attitude, which was grand.”

While he said he didn’t “buy in” to talk about Kerry not being psyched up to play Waterford and Tipperary, at the same time he didn’t exactly rule it out. From Kerry’s perspective, it was all about them setting their own standard and trying to meet it.

“We set certain targets and if we don’t live up those, that’s not their fault. The lads will have no problem tuning in for a Munster final here in Killarney. Sometimes it can be a motivational thing, and attitude can dictate the way you play.’’

For his part, Tipperary manager Seamus McCarthy reacted with a mixture of pride and disappointment.

His team had answered critics who might doubt their right to play in the championship, and he said: “We did compete today. We will always compete and we’ll pick ourselves up again.’’

He was disappointed for the reason that, tactically, they fell into the trap of allowing Kerry to dictate the way the game was played over the opening 20 minutes. Their cause wasn’t helped by their inability to make the most of the opportunities which came their way.

“I felt for a long time we let them dictate to us which was the one thing we said we wouldn’t do. They slipped away and got six points. The goal certainly brought us back into the game and the point that came after it was very crucial. We were competitive from there to half time,’’ he said.

Believing that they were in a “reasonable position” at half-time, he was relieved to see Declan Browne get the first score of the second half. But that came in their third attack, and from there on they had to work extremely hard for scores.

“We got sucked back a good bit into defence and our inside forwards were very isolated with two and three Kerrymen around them,’’ he added.

“There was a wall in front of Declan, trying to find him and Brian Mulvihill. It was difficult for us, with a lot of new boys. This was some cauldron to come to, but we were happy with them. About nine of that team weren’t playing a year-and-a-half ago.’

As far as the final is concerned, he feels that while Kerry are beatable, he wouldn’t dream of writing off.

“They are (still) a formidable outfit,’’ he stated.