O’Donoghue feared he wasn’t up to it

The negativity that cloaked Kerry prior to the Munster final made James O’Donoghue question his claim to wear the county jersey, he admits.

O’Donoghue was taken aback by the sense of despondency among supporters prior to beating Cork by double scores. Some of it motivated him as did Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s own brand of stimulus.

“It’s tough being down in Kerry sometimes with that stuff because Kerry people are so forthcoming with their opinions. You ask if they’re going to the game and they’ll say, ‘Nah sure why would I go down to see them get bate?’