Kerry manager Jack O’Connor is confident his players can put the hype leading to Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC final and “concentrate on the performance” against Galway.

In his first year back at the helm, O’Connor has steered the Kingdom back on to the biggest stage in football and they are set travel to Croke Park as 1/3 favourites this weekend.

Speaking to GAA.ie, the Dromid Pearses clubman knows Galway will be coming into their first All-Ireland final in 21 years quietly confident and hoping that the expectation can weigh on Kerry’s stars.

“Of course, there is that danger,” admitted O’Connor. “I mean, look, that’s why you have to insulate the players as much as possible from the public. They all want a piece of the lads but I’ve been in this situation a good few times. I think this is my eighth or ninth final and I know the pitfalls that are there, players are in a different bubble to supporters.

“Supporters see All-Ireland finals as occasions with razzmatazz whereas players have to divorce themselves most of the time from that.

“They have to enjoy the build-up, of course, they can’t go into a cave for two weeks, but they have to understand that this is about performing on the big day and not getting carried away with any sideshows.

“You have to absolutely park all of that stuff and concentrate on the performance because like I said the Dublin performance will be well forgotten about if we can’t get over the line now.”

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