Tomás Ó Sé: ‘This team wasn’t fancied to come out of Munster or do anything’

PRAISE FOR HIS SIDE: Tomás Ó Sé was full of praise for his Kerry U20 team despite coming out on the losing side in the U20 All-Ireland final against Tyrone in O'Moore Park. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Tomás Ó Sé was full of praise for his Kerry U20 team despite coming out on the losing side in the U20 All-Ireland final against Tyrone in O'Moore Park.

They went down to a superb Tyrone team who kicked 1-20, 1-18 from play.

“The better team won on the day,” Ó Sé said post-match. “There is no doubting that. They had firepower up front, but they have defenders who run from deep and hurt you.

“We played a certain way all year, the nature of this competition going from week to week, it is very hard for young fellas to change it up for one game. So we went the same way. That meant any slip could hurt you.” 

Kerry showed huge heart throughout the tie. They conceded a body blow of a first-half goal when Joey Clarke’s effort beat Michael Tansley after bouncing off Charlie Keating. Even still they were just three down by the 42th minute. Tyrone responded to go eight up, but a Luke Crowley penalty and point saw them claw it back to four late on.

“Every game they have showed their character. That is why, in fairness, they got great respect and people are talking about them. Even at the end there when it was gone in the second half, they still chased and harried and tackled. I take my hat off to them. Every day of the week they show up.

“People don’t realise, at the start of the year this team wasn’t fancied to come out of Munster or do anything. For them to do what they have done is fantastic. I have no doubt, there are three or four lads who put their hand up for the senior squad straight away. They had a great year and they have been a credit to deal with.” 

Meanwhile, victorious manager Paul Devlin hailed the way both teams approached the final.

“For the spectator looking in, I’m sure people all over Ireland far and wide, enjoyed that. Full credit goes to the lads. Both teams. I spoke to Kerry there, go out and play football. They are talking about new rules for football. Maybe that is a help for them, heads up and playing football. That is what people enjoy.” 

There was a touching moment post-match as GAA President Jarlath Burns paid tribute to Tyrone captain Michael Rafferty’s late brother, John.

“There is an empty seat today in O’Moore Park that should be taken up by his brother John but unfortunately the A5, which has been a graveyard to Gaels in Tyrone and beyond, has claimed yet another life,” said Burns.

“It is testimony to your resilience that you are here today leading this team out. I also pay tribute to the Gaels of Tyrone for what you have done to turn the A5 dream into a reality.” Devlin also lauded his centre-back.

“Michael Rafferty is an outstanding individual and a great lad. We identified Luke (Crowley) was a superb footballer for Kerry. We knew we had to limit his game. Michael did a mighty job. It was like that. Dillon inside, Joey Clarke had an immense goal on him.

"It was brilliant to see Joey down one end kicking it into the net, Dillon down the other putting it over the bar. A brilliant battle. A great perspective of Gaelic football.”