Disruption made semi-final preparations difficult for Kerry, says Keane
August 28, 2021
Kerry manager Peter Keane during his team's All-Ireland SFC semi-final clash with Tyrone ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Kerry boss Peter Keane says the disruption to their All-Ireland SFC semi-final with Tyrone made preparations for the game difficult.
The Kingdom waited five weeks between their Munster final win and today’s clash at Croke Park after it was postponed twice due to an outbreak of Covid-19 within the Red Hands’ camp.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his side’s extra time defeat to the Ulster champions, Keane admitted preparations for the game were difficult but offered no excuses and congratulated Tyrone before wishing them well for the final against Mayo in two weeks’ time.
"You have your plans done around initially three weeks, then it was four weeks, then it was five weeks. It was difficult," he said.
"You were trying to get ready. It's difficult. You're wondering, are you at the pace? Are you not at the pace? And you're doing the training. Into the third week, we were easing up on training. In the fourth week, we had to do the same. But that's not offering excuses here today. We congratulate Tyrone and we wish them well in the final."
On the possibility of having underestimated their opponents, Keane added: “We expected these (Tyrone) fellas to be at 100% and with a full squad. We had hopes to get to the final and we didn't. That's life."
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