O'Connor keen on Kerry improvement

In the aftermath of yesterday's Munster final, Kerry manager Jack O'Connor warned his side they will need to further improve if they are to retain the All-Ireland SFC title.

The Kingdom's 71st senior provincial football title saw them run out one goal-winners - 1-11 to 0-11 - over Cork, who impressed O'Connor in the stifling heat of Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

"Credit to Cork, they showed how fit they are - they started well and had us on the back foot. They will provide tough opposition in the qualifiers. We were lucky to be only a point down at half-time, but the one thing is that we have been in this situation before and we showed that bit of experience," admitted O'Connor, after guiding his charges to a third straight provincial success.

"We didn't lose the head, we just tipped away and I think the goal by Declan O'Sullivan after half-time turned the tide a bit - gave us a bit of breathing space."

Kerry are at Croke Park for their next outing - an All-Ireland quarter-final on August 7 - and O'Connor knows his side will need to pick up the pace against one of the top back-door sides.

"I'm hopeful this game and the one against Limerick will bring us on. The county championship's on next weekend and we'll bring them (the squad) back in a week's time, see what shape they're in. Hopefully, the games will bring us on because we have to improve if we're going to go further."