Wary Kerry GAA fans fail to see funny side of Mayo roadside gag

Motorists on the main Killarney to Killorglin stretch had to do a double take when they saw Kingdom boss Jack O'Connor in a wedding dress - and Andy Moran, the Mayo manager, as the bridesmaid

COCKY KINGDOM? All in good fun, say the lads at Brand Geeks in Killorglin. But a local backlash prompted them to remove it within 24 hours

IT lasted 24 hours, maybe less.

The week before an All-Ireland final, one thing no-one in Kerry wants to be charged with is pre-match arrogance or over-confidence – even if it’s marinated in humour.

Motorists on the main Killarney-Killorglin road, which include Kerry manager Jack O’Connor, had to do a double-take Thursday when spotting a newly-erected poster featuring Jack as the bride and Mayo manager Andy Moran as the bridesmaid. The punch line was too easy – Best of luck on your big day Jack – Andy…always the bridesmaid.

The Killorglin-based Brand Geeks agency were, at once, creator and perpetrator – but by mid afternoon Friday, the sign was removed from the side of the road, though not before social media lit up with comment and criticism.

“Not in our name. Not Kerry,” posted former All-Ireland winning Kerry skipper Dara Ó Cinnéide.

Added Cork fan Alan Holland: “And they said Cork were cocky because people bought refundable train tickets….” Said well known Kerry referee, Maurice Murphy: “I’m all for humour and a joke (but) this is ridiculous.” 

Others though saw the funnier side and kept it in perspective. Well, kind of. 

The lads at Brand Geeks fessed up Friday and said they’d taken it back down – quam celerime.

“We took it down,” said a Brand Geeks spokesperson. “There something else to go up after. It’s a two-parter, but we’re not too sure on the second part now!

“There was something else to go up as well, there was other bits to go with it.” 

And they will proceed with Part II? 

“Unsure at the moment, that’s pending.”