Manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice has said his side reacted to “a right trimming” from Cork in their Allianz Football League win over Donegal on Sunday.
Kerry battled to a 2-13 to 2-11 victory over Donegal in Tralee on Sunday, a week after being comprehensively beaten, 3-17 to 2-09, by the Rebels.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the win over Donegal, Fitzmaurice hailed his side’s ability to bounce back from the defeat.
“It was important that we responded today, because, you know, we were disappointed with the way we played in Páirc Uí Rinn last week. Cork were a good bit better than us, and they gave us a right trimming, really.
“So it was important for us to react, and thankfully we reacted, and we got two points on the board against a very good Donegal side.”
“In fairness to Bryan Sheehan, he was really on today, because that breeze was really tough" - Éamonn Fitzmaurice
Kerry played the first half against Donegal into a stiff breeze, and Fitzmaurice highlighted the performance of Bryan Sheehan in dealing with the conditions.
“In fairness to Bryan Sheehan, he was really on today, because that breeze was really tough, and he kicked some massive frees, even ones from the wrong side, normally, for a right-footed kicker.”
Sheehan went off at half-time with a rib injury, something which Fitzmaurice said he hoped was not “too serious”.
In the second half, two goals propelled Kerry toward victory. Fitzmaurice said both were needed and arrived at the right time for his side.
“We needed both of them. I think Barry John [Keane’s] came at a time when we had a good bit of possession but we weren't converting it into chances. And thankfully we got the goal at just the right time. And David’s penalty, obviously, then, was well taken.
“And it just gave us that bit of breathing space, which we needed at the end after Donegal got their goal.”
