O’Connor reckons fear factor gives Kerry psychological edge over Mayo

Three-time All-Ireland winning Kerry football manager Jack O’Connor says the Kingdom hold no fear of semi-final opponents Mayo.

The westerners have not secured a championship victory over Kerry in 18 years, with two of O’Connor’s All-Ireland final triumphs — 2004 and ’06 — arriving at Mayo’s expense.

O’Connor believes Kerry will carry a strong edge in the psychological stakes this weekend as footballers in the green and gold shirt are well accustomed to bettering football’s perennial bridesmaids.

“I don’t think Kerry will have any fear of Mayo. That is a big thing,” stressed O’Connor.

“I think it will be very tight. There is very little between the teams. I think Kerry have a great chance. The Kerry forwards are really functioning at the moment. I am not sure you could say the same of the Mayo forwards.

“It depends on the middle eight. Mayo are very big and physical there. If they get possession there, they have half-backs who are very strong and who love to drive forward. That is where the game will be decided. I believe if Kerry get the upper hand at midfield, they have the forwards to win the game.”

O’Connor has been most impressed by the defensive role adopted by Dromid Pearses clubman Declan O’Sullivan this summer; O’Sullivan, though wearing the number 14 shirt against Galway last time out, spent much of his time soldering at the other end of the field.

“That is his natural game and that is the way he has been playing for years at club level. I am sure he often considered that centre-half back would be a good position for him. His age has nothing to do with the role he has been given, it is more about the head at this stage. He looks after himself. He is probably not as mobile as he was in recent years, but he has a very good record against Mayo. There are many Mayo men that would attest to that.”

He added: “I am not sure you could say Mayo have regressed in 2014. A part of it is that they peaked in the quarter-final last year. If they had produced that performance in the final, they would have won it. Maybe they are coming a bit slower this year. They peaked too early last year. All-Ireland titles are never won in the first week of August. Much like a racehorse or greyhound, they have to learn to peak at the right time. They don’t appear to be playing as well this time by comparison with last year. Maybe they are planning it as such.”