O Se philosophical in defeat

FOR A MAN who has enjoyed more success than failure in his Kerry experience, Paidi O Se was surprisingly philosophical about the failure of his side to reach his county's first All Ireland final since 1986.

The Kerry team has gone through some bleak and lean days since then and at least two of O Se's colleagues from those vintage years of the 70s and 80s have tried and failed to restore the county's supremacy.

After yesterday's defeat by Mayo, while the players sought the solace of anonymity, O Se was prepared, however briefly, to reflect on a job not fully accomplished.

"No matter how you look at it they were the better team. We were poor in the opening stages and were lucky to be in touch at half time. If they had taken their chances we wouldn't have been in with a chance," said O Se as he conceded defeat with considerable decency.

"When we struck back for a goal after they scored their goal, I thought we might have a chance and they might fold up. Fair play to them they didn't. We didn't manage to close their forwards down. Two great saves by Declan O'Keeffe kept us in the match.

"I believe that Mayo can now win and I would be pleased if they do that since I have Connacht blood in my veins. They have a very well balanced team. They have some very experienced players and some youngsters as well but, above all, they have John Maughan, who is a very shrewd man and who knows the game.

"We have no reason to feel depressed. We got back into the game midway through the second half and we were always in with a good chance, but they spread the ball around very well and took their chances better than we did."

The Kerry dressingroom was deserted long before the Mayo players had completed their ablutions. O Se didn't dally either, but he was prepared to look to the future and to put the recent past behind. "We have a young team and we have a lot of potential. Once they put this behind them they will realise that they are in a learning process.

"We are still involved in the under 21 championship and we have many young players coming up from under age competitions, including the minors who won today and are in the All Ireland final. I believe that there is great potential in Kerry football and, although we are disappointed, we are going to get down to business in the autumn and we'll be back next year," he said.