Eamonn Fitzmaurice is hoping that Kerry veterans Declan O'Sullivan, Marc O Se and Aidan O'Mahony don't follow the likes of Paul Galvin, Tomas O Se and Eoin Brosnan into retirement just yet.

The Kingdom manager singled out second half substitute O'Sullivan - who he has nicknamed Paul McGrath - for special praise after he battled tendinitis in both knees to win his fifth All-Ireland medal.

"I hope (they stay on), I wouldn't see any reason why they wouldn't," Fitzmaurice said.

"Declan has to have his knees sorted out. Paul McGrath is what we've been calling him for the summer because his sessions have had to be managed very carefully, because too much pounding and his knees are swelling up.

"He was having fluid drained and what that man has gone through this summer is absolutely incredible. His wife is due today.

"He's been absolutely immense, but he'll have to get surgery to sort out his knees. And after that I don't see any reason why anyone should be moving on."

The Finuge clubman added: "The two lads (O Se and O'Mahony) are in superb condition, the older lads are in incredible shape. I know there was a bit of analysis about Aidan that his legs, if Michael Murphy went out the field and all that… I was laughing when I saw that.

"We have fitness tests, he's always one of the last standing. Whether that's out of thickness or legs or whatever… by thickness I mean stubborness!"

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