PAT Spillane has told of how the Kerry panel opted not to celebrate their semi-final win over Tyrone as their focus is entirely on lifting Sam Maguire.
They beat the Red Hands on July 12 so they’ve had a full fortnight to prepare for Sunday’s decider against Donegal.
Spillane won EIGHT All-Ireland medals in his playing days
Seán O’Shea stepped up against Armagh in the quarter-finals to ease the scoring burden on David Clifford
Clearly, no reasonably-minded person would begrudge them toasting making it back to the showpiece game with a few drinks.
Yet despite that, the panel en masse turned down the opportunity to go on a night out that evening as their eyes remain fixated on the biggest prize.
Appearing on The 2 Johnnies podcast, the 69-year-old shared that he’d heard they’d had little interest in revelling in that triumph over old foes Tyrone.
He stated: “They were told that they could have a drink. None of them did.
“They said ‘no, two weeks to go, we will have a drink after the All-Ireland final’. That’s what it’s all about now.”
The eight-time All-Ireland winner is quietly confident that it will be a case of them toasting victory rather than drowning their sorrows.
He’s been doing the rounds…podcast rounds that is, and while on the Indo Sport podcast, explained his rationale for backing them.
He argued: “Donegal’s running game is a hard game to sustain for 70 minutes.
“Zonal defence is a weakness. There’s space to be exploited there by a kicking team.
“The first half against Monaghan showed that as Monaghan switched the play from one side to the other. They’d an overload and took them on one-on-one and were very impressive.
“So zonal marking, running in transition and Michael Murphy – no different from David Clifford – if he’s contained (Kerry can win).
“The new rules suit Kerry, Croke Park suits them as a heads up kicking team.”
He also added that his “hesitant vote for Kerry” was partly down to the weather forecast being good for Sunday with dry conditions further helping their prospects.
However, based off latest Met Eireann predictions, we’re in for a rainy Croke Park affair so that sounds like it’ll favour Donegal’s running game more.
The two counties did of course contest the 2014 decider with McGuinness saying this week that he’s still haunted by their under-performance in what was a forgettable game.
One instant improvement this time around will be that there won’t be a colour clash on full display.
The Kerry county board have confirmed that Jack O’Connor’s charges will line out in their alternative dark blue kit whilst Donegal will wear their secondary white kit.
Following on from the overload of green and gold on show between Donegal and Meath in the semi-finals that’ll come as a respite for the not insignificant number of fans who struggle with their eyesight.
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
