While Kerry will enter this weekend’s All-Ireland final against Mayo as heavy favourites, nobody in The Kingdom will take the challenge posed by Andy Moran’s side for granted.
Mayo have steadily improved over the course of the season, culminating with a top class display in their semi-final win over Louth. As for Kerry, they have not quite been at their best over the last couple of games.
It is clear that Jack O’Connor does not want to give his opponents any extra motivation for the game, as evidenced by his approach to a sign that appeared in the county in recent times.
The sign had shown O’Connor in a wedding dress alongside Andy Moran in a green and red dress, with the text ‘Andy, always the bridesmaid never the bride’. The Kerry boss had the sign taken down.
Pat Spillane Not Impressed By Mayo Sign In Kerry
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A sign of that ilk is not something that fits with the usual ethos of Kerry GAA, something Pat Spillane was keen to point out.
Speaking on the Indo GAA Podcast, Pat Spillane summed up why the sign was in bad taste and not in keeping with the usual attitude in the county.
It was a marketing ploy by a company. Well done, they got their publicity.
Did I see it as funny? No. Did Jack find it funny? No. Was it good for the Kerry team? No…
It’s one thing of the things in Kerry that Kerry does to you. Kerry keeps you grounded, I swear to god. It keeps you humble.
You have that pride in representing your county, but there’s a humility to it and respect…
Very rarely do Kerry players, managers, or supporters give opportunities for the opposition to be annoyed.
That guerilla marketing was not funny and (it was) stupid, it didn’t help the cause. I’m glad Jack got it removed.
A fair point.
Mayo aiming to pull off big Kerry upset
Irrespective of any signs down the country, Mayo will not be short on motivation coming into this game. Not only after they in search of an All-Ireland title to end their long famine, but the manner in which they have been written off in many quarters will no doubt be a part of Andy Moran’s team talks this week.
Kerry will be favourites, but the result is far from a foregone conclusion. Mayo have shown us in recent weeks that they are capable of performing on the big stage.
As to whether they have one more huge display in them, all will be revealed on Sunday afternoon.