O’Mahony says Kerry far from a spent force

AIDAN O’MAHONY reminds you his declaration was hardly boisterous. His buddy Tom O’Sullivan’s was worse, declaring to a rapturous Rathmore the evening after the 2007 All-Ireland final win that Cork wouldn’t see Sam as long as that team were around.

By comparison, his homecoming speech in the border town after the 2009 triumph was tame: “I told you last year you would not have to cross the border [with Cork] to see Sam Maguire,” he piped into the mic. “I’ll tell you again.”

He laughs at the mention of it now. The Monday following an All-Ireland final glory is a strange day, pregnant with self-satisfaction, burdened with relief, laden with pride. Anything is liable to be uttered.