Sport
Layoff concerns, Spillane v Spillane and injury updates: Jack O’Connor’s post-match press briefing

Kerry enjoyed an easy win over Limerick in the Munster final last weekend. What did Jack O’Connor make of it all? Adam Moynihan was at the post-match press briefing to record the Kerry bainisteoir’s thoughts.
Of course, you’d probably prefer to get a stiffer test.
O'CONNOR ON THE ONE-SIDED NATURE OF THE GAME
We set out our stall, we had certain targets in the game, and by and large we met most of them. We only had three scores from eight attacks early on, so I thought we were a bit wasteful there.
But towards the end of the first half and the start of the second half in particular, we upped the ante. We were comfortable enough after that.
APART FROM THEIR SLOW START, THE KERRY MANAGER WAS PLEASED WITH HIS TEAM'S PERFORMANCE
I’m not too sure now. I’ve a bit of an idea that the Limerick corner back was gone AWOL there for some reason. I’m not too sure where he was. Killian seemed to be inside on his own.
O'CONNOR DOWNPLAYED THE SUGGESTION THAT KERRY'S GOAL WAS A TRAINING GROUND MOVE
Killian Spillane has been patiently waiting for his chance for a while and he kicked 1-3 from play, which was good. Killian has been going very well in training and we went with a very offensive team because we felt we’d have a lot of the ball.
Adrian Spillane (whom Killian replaced) has had a brilliant year for us so far and he’ll have a big part to play for us from here on in.
THE DROMID NATIVE ON THE reasoning behind replacing one Spillane brother with the other
Sure, of course people will talk like that, but what can we do? We just have to play the games that are in front of us and do as good as we can. That’s for somebody else to decide that.
The Kerry manager wouldn’t be drawn on the furore surrounding the lack of competitive matches in the provincial championships
Of course four weeks is an issue. That’s why the system next year is going to be fairer for everybody.
I’m not too concerned by the game today but I am relatively concerned about having four weeks off. I’ve gone on record as saying that we played eight games in 10 weeks in the league, and we’re playing three games in 12 weeks in the championship. Sure that can’t be right. That system had to be fixed.
O’Connor feels that next year’s championship structure will be an improvement
He picked up an injury against Cork. We weren’t being clever or anything, it just took longer than we thought. The medical advice was not to play him in this game. I’d say he’ll be doing a good share of training next week, hopefully.
David Clifford’s injury is not serious, the Kerry boss confirmed
What you’re trying to do is break it up for the players. It can become a bit routine if you’re coming in to Fitzgerald Stadium and training. That’s what we’re trying to avoid.
We played Roscommon last Saturday and it was a good game for us. We learned a few things.
I’d consider [having another challenge match before the All-Ireland quarter-final]. You’re running out of teams at this stage because, think about it, how many teams are going to be available? We’ll have a look at it.
ANOTHER CHALLENGE MATCH MAY BE ON THE CARDS
I’m more interested that the inside forwards score. When backs score it’s a bonus. Killian Spillane scored 1-3. Geaney scored four. Tony scored three. They’re your finishers and you want your finishers getting scores because it’s all about confidence in there.
ON KERRY'S SPREAD OF SCORERS (11 PLAYERS SCORED IN TOTAL)
He plays a defensive role in general but Jack Barry is a good footballer and he can play on the front foot as well. We just wanted to mind Jason [Foley] because he actually picked up a bit of a tweak during the week as well.
o'connor on jack barry switching back to full back
Unfortunately it looks like Dylan Casey might have jarred his ankle or something so I hope he’ll be okay next week.
the stacks man is an injury concern following the munster final