The build-up to this year’s All-Ireland football final between Kerry and Mayo has seen a distinct lack of yerra-isms from the famous Kerry footballing mafia.
Since Kerry dumped out Armagh in Fitzgerald Stadium, we have seen nothing but outward confidence from the Kerry football clan, barring a few exceptions.
The Kingdom took some time to get going this year, with heavy defeats to Donegal in the league final and in Round 1 of the All-Ireland casting a touch of doubt over their All-Ireland aspirations for some.
For the second year running, Kerry’s attack laid waste to Armagh, a statement win. With not only Armagh gone but Dublin taking care of Donegal and Galway, Kerry appeared the clear favourites for Sam Maguire.
Two more solid wins over Tyrone and Dublin leave Kerry with the surprise packet of 2026 Mayo in their way. This confidence albeit fairly well-founded always has the potential to rub people up the wrong way and it would make you wonder what is the point of it all.
When Mayo put away Louth with a level of ease that surprised many, it left a few pundits wondering whether they should have written off all the other contenders so early.
O’Connor intervenes to have bridesmaid banner removed
Some in Kerry seem to have totally put away their cautious predictions with Tony Leen of The Irish Examiner sharing a picture of a hopeful poster in The Kingdom. The poster has since been taken down and received a disapproving reply from Kerry legend Dara Ó Cinnéide.
Hmmm. Between Killarney and Killorglin. #kerryness? pic.twitter.com/8NnDTp5jUV
— Tony Leen (@tonyleen) July 17, 2026
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Not in our name. Not Kerry.
— Dara Ó Cinnéide (@ediennico) July 17, 2026
Interestingly, Irish Examiner sports editor subsequently reported that Kerry manager Jack O’Connor intervened to have the banner taken down. O’Connor was speaking at the Kingdom’s media day on Saturday in Killarney.
“I thought it was disrespectful to a great footballing county, and to a great man in Andy Moran, who was a great player himself and has transferred the enthusiasm and the toughness he showed on the field onto his players now.
Elsewhere, enthusiastic Kerry supporter Aaron Leahy has even declared that Mayo have been playing Tailteann Cup football for the last few months warning that this All-Ireland final won’t just be lobsided but there may be ‘a historic score line’ on the cards. This clip came via the Kingdom Calls podcast.
— Ah Ref! (@RefComeOn) July 17, 2026
It hasn’t all been one way traffic to be fair to Kerry, Paul Galvin has been one of the main men trying to hold down the pegs on the yerra tent to prevent it blowing away.
💭”They looked different and they acted different…”
Watch Paul Galvin break down how Mayo got their goals in the All-Ireland Semi-Final against Louth🔴🟢 pic.twitter.com/D8ETrvy3ZP
— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) July 17, 2026
Whether this confidence among supporters and pundits will come back to bite Kerry fans or not is another thing, although it is hard to believe that any complacency will actually reach the camp with Jack O’Connor manning the gates.
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