Jerry O’Sullivan: 'This is supposed to be the premier competition in Kerry, it deserves more respect'

East Kerry manager Jerry O’Sullivan was magnanimous in defeat, but believes that the competition needs to be treated with more respect

East Kerry’s ambitions of claiming a three-in-a-row of Kerry SFC titles was brought to an unceremonious conclusion at the first hurdle. Picture: Domnick Walsh

With East Kerry’s ambitions of claiming a three-in-a-row of Kerry SFC titles brought to an unceremonious conclusion at the first hurdle in Tralee on Saturday night, it would be easy to focus on the factors that brought about the champions’ demise. But that would only do a disservice to deserved victors Austin Stacks.

While the back-to-back champions undoubtedly suffered, as all divisional teams did, from the lack of preparation afforded them in this Covid-influenced season, and from the loss of the key Spa contingent in Dara Moynihan, Dan O’Donoghue, and the Cronins, the undisputed truth at Austin Stack Park is that they were never even at the races until the dying moments of the contest.