Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Kerry manager Jack O'Connor.Leah Scholes/INPHO FreeKingdom Jack O'Connor: 'We’ve gone seven games in eight weeks, which is bonkers for amateur players' Kerry are getting set for an Allianz Division 1 league final tie against Mayo on Sunday. 10.20am, 26 Mar 2025 Share options KERRY BOSS JACK O’Connor has taken issue with the lack of ‘breathing space’ provided in the inter-county league schedule as his team gear up for Sunday’s Division 1 decider against Mayo. Last Sunday’s impressive success over Galway in Pearse Stadium catapulted Kerry into the final in Croke Park. Their qualification has been unexpected but welcomed by the Kerry camp. Advertisement Yet with just seven days between the last round of the league and the final, and then only another week’s break until the commmencement of the provincial championships, O’Connor has questioned the crammed nature of the fixture programme. “Look, it can’t be right where teams are out in the championship the following week. It is not doing justice to the league at all, which is a very good competition. There has to be a bit of breathing space, even for simple things like promoting the games. “We didn’t realise we were in the final until Sunday evening. The promoters then are looking for players to go up to Dublin this week to promote the final, but we happen to be training the same night, so logistically it can be very difficult to give the competition a bit of fair play and breathing space. “It can’t be right that the likes of Donegal more or less came out and said openly that it wasn’t a huge priority for them to reach the League final because they were out the following week. “I am not giving out about them. I am giving out about the fact that there isn’t breathing space. Sooner or later, that breathing space is going to have to be found. “We’ve gone seven games in eight weeks, which is bonkers for amateur players. I can’t see where (the breathing space) will come, unless they push back the All-Ireland series a bit, and go into August.” Injury wise, Kerry may have to plan without midfielder Diarmuid O’Connor afer he damaged his shoulder in the league win over Armagh, while Dara Moynihan continues to be absent with a hip problem. Kerry’s opening championship assignment is a Munster semi-final on 19 April against Limerick or Cork, who meet in a quarter-final on 5 April. After claiming 11 of the 12 Munster titles on offer since 2012, Kerry are strong favourities to again dominate in Munster this season. But O’Connor, who expects Cork to emerge as their last four opponents, is wary of the challenge they would face there. Related Reads Tally confirms Conor McCluskey, Brendan Rogers and Anton Tohill out for Donegal clash Here's this week's GAA inter-county schedule and TV coverage Who's left celebrating a good GAA football league and who has all the regrets? “Cork have been down a few players, and if they get those back, they’re going to be a massive test. “I would never, ever buy into the thing that Cork aren’t competitive. They can always raise their game against Kerry. The game above in Páirc Uí Chaoimh two years ago was fierce tight, two points in it, and the game in Killarney last year was three points.” Fintan O'Toole Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Jack O'Connor: 'We’ve gone seven games in eight weeks, which is bonkers for amateur players'”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Jack O'Connor: 'We’ve gone seven games in eight weeks, which is bonkers for amateur players'”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. 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