Jack O’Connor: ‘The lads don't take a whole pile of notice of outside noise’

Kerry will be without Diarmuid O’Connor next week as he continues to assess the shoulder injury suffered against Armagh.

OUTSIDE NOISE: Jack O’Connor was understandably delighted to finish the league with impressive wins over Armagh and Galway, securing a spot in the decider against Mayo next week. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Five games in a row and three defeats left Kerry with serious relegation concerns. Jack O’Connor was understandably delighted to finish the league with impressive wins over Armagh and Galway, securing a spot in the decider against Mayo next week.

It was Mayo who defeated them for that fifth week in a row, but Kerry responded after the break to kick 5-45 in their next two games.

“Listen, you're back is to the wall every week in Kerry,” said O’Connor post-match in Pearse Stadium. “That's the way things operate down there. But look, the lads don't take a whole pile of notice of outside noise or what other people outside the camp think.

“We were fairly sure we were doing a lot of good work internally and that's the main thing. If the players start losing faith in me or the coaching team, then you'd have a bit of a bother. But we were happy enough and the players were happy enough that we were going in the right direction.” 

Sean O’Brien was taken off after a knock. They will be without Diarmuid O’Connor next week as he continues to assess the shoulder injury suffered against Armagh.

"He has a bit of damage on the shoulder. It showed up in the scan so he's going up to the Santry to get it checked out."

For Galway, they advance to the championship with some causes for concern. Firstly, form. They head Stateside without a win in their last three games.

“Can’t say much when you lose a game by that much,” said Pádraic Joyce.

“Again, the way the league went I think we are lucky we survived in Division One. To see a team relegated on seven points, I think it is the first time ever. Disappointing performance by us overall.” 

John Maher and Finnian Ó Laoi were replaced while Dylan McHugh and Shane Walsh did not tog in Salthill.

“Shane wasn’t involved. He had a back injury last week and had a routine procedure to be done during the week, which he got done. He didn’t respond properly from the injection he got.”

“It is only a small thing really, he is fine. It is not going to be long-term or anything.” 

Galway had conceded one goal before heading to Croke Park last weekend. They have now been hit for five in two games. Joyce knows the new rules have resulted in a better spectacle and he knows where they need to improve ahead of the Connacht championship.

“You can see the football being played there. I think it is in a better spot. The crowd that was there today was a great crowd, again, watching the game. I think it is overall (better), because it was hard to go watching the 15, 14 behind the ball the whole time.

“But we have to go up now as coaches and see for championship how we get defensive structures set up, because we can't be that open, obviously, down the line.”