Marc Ó Sé: 'I'd like to think Kerry minors will still have a say in this championship'

Kerry boss has regrets from extra time loss to Cork in Munster MFC decider, but reckons there's a kick. in the Kingdom yet

Kerry minor manager Marc Ó Sé: 'It’s reset now for us. We’re in the quarter-final, and we’ll be ready for whoever we play'. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

While defeat was Kerry’s lot after extra-time at Páirc Uí Rinn Monday night, manager Marc Ó Sé was full of pride for the effort of his players. From a ten-point tonking by Cork two weeks earlier, to parity after 60 minutes this time, there was significant improvement.

“When you come down for a Munster final you want to win it. I’m immensely proud of our fellas, the way they played, the way they rallied, the way they battled on that field. We’re immensely proud of the performance they put in,” he said.

“I suppose, two weeks ago, we felt we left ourselves down. We left the Kerry jersey down. There was a lot of soul-searching. We knew if we got over Clare that we’d get another opportunity at Cork. Thankfully we got that opportunity.

“We knew we had loads of areas to work on. I think we identified those and we went after it. Ultimately we left it after us in the end, unfortunately, but I’m very proud of the boys. We’ll be keeping our heads held high.

“The performance they gave was outstanding, and even faced with adversity, with injuries and players coming back. Fellas had knocks and fellas even sick, and they still performed. They still rallied. We’re in an All-Ireland quarter-final now, so it’s reset for us, and we have to go again.

At the same time, a loss is a loss, and Kerry may well feel that they could have secured a memorable victory in normal time. Two points up with ten minutes to go, still ahead in the 59th minute, that was possibly their moment to strike.

“There probably was (an element of winning the game in 60 minutes). We had the chances, I thought. Some days those breaks go for you. Other days they go against you. I felt there was a few, maybe a decision or two, that went against us there. That’s the way it goes,” he added.

“I think they went against us, unfortunately. But, look, that’s football. You take those breaks when you get them. I don’t think we got them. Hats off to Cork. They stuck at it in the end.

“It’s reset now for us. We’re in the quarter-final, and we’ll be ready for whoever we play. We’ll be ready now. We’ve a few weeks to get ready for this. So, get the bodies right again and we go again.” 

Cork’s greater physicality, and their stamina reserves, held them in good stead throughout the 20 added minutes, even though their shooting was erratic. For the visitors, losing three key players was a blow that they couldn’t recover from.

“Daragh Keane, Maidhc Ó Sé and Lúc MacGearailt were huge losses (in extra-time). They’re players who have been huge warriors for us all year. You’re going down the stretch then without your players who have been producing all year.  They’re the breaks you get. Sometimes you don’t get them other days. That’s what a panel is for. You’re learning the whole time. You’re learning from your panel, players you put in and players that do the job out in the field. It’s unfortunate we didn’t come out the right end."

BATTLING: Cork's Tom Whooley braces for the challenge of Kerry centre back Cian Stack in the Munster MFC final at Páirc Uí Rinn. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

One particular individual who stood out for Kerry was centre-back Cian Stack. He had missed the previous clash with the Rebels through injury. The Kingdom boss is hopeful that a few more players will be back in the mix for the All-Ireland quarter-final.

“(Cian) is an awesome player when you consider he only played 20 minutes in the last game. He’s come straight in there from playing 20 minutes in the last game to 80 minutes. I don’t think our S&C coach, Jamie, will be too happy.

“He’s been outstanding. He was a warrior there. He fought. He led the charge, and he was outstanding. It’s great to have him back. Hopefully, we can get a few more players back in the next few weeks, the likes of Conor Lynch and Seanie Clifford.

“If we get those back, we bolster our panel. Maidhc Ó Sé was sick again tonight, and he fought valiantly out in the middle of the field. There are lots of areas that we feel we can still improve on going into a quarter-final. So, hopefully, we’ll make those gains, and take on whoever we have to take on in the quarter-final.

“Ultimately, it’s the bigger picture you have to look at. We’re still in the All-Ireland series, and we’re still in this championship. I’d like to think that we’ll have a say in this thing going forward. So we’ll see where it brings us.”