Inside Kerry’s All-Ireland final prep: recovery vans, suit fittings, and hotel chess

The logistics and other non-management Kerry backroom members pride themselves on their diligent levels of preparation. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor

Just as it was absent after their stunning All-Ireland quarter-final win over Armagh, the Kerry team bus wasn’t near their dressing room following the semi-final victory against Tyrone.

Instead, parked outside the door of it under the Hogan Stand beside trusty kit man Colm Whelan’s van was a truck with C11 Recovery emblazoned along the side. Eagle-eyed viewers of The Open Championship in Portrush last week may also have noticed it in the players’ area. On Instagram, would-be champion Scottie Scheffler and former Masters winner Jon Rahm were pictured outside it.