Kerry's O'Connor admits Mayo had more 'energy' and 'hunger'

Kerry boss Jack O'Connor admitted Mayo's superior "energy" and "hunger" were key in driving them to a thrilling win in Sunday's All-Ireland Football final.

O'Connor was hoping to claim his sixth All-Ireland title as Kingdom boss and go back-to-back for the first time in his managerial career after last year's comfortable win over Donegal.

But Mayo produced an indefatigable performance to end their 75-year wait for a fourth Sam Maguire triumph with a 1-20 to 1-17 win.

"It's very disappointing. Obviously it wasn't the ending we envisaged after a tough enough year but you have to take your hats off to Mayo, I thought they had more energy than us, more legs, more hunger," said a crestfallen O'Connor.

"Even though we fought to the end and could have snatched a draw and taken it to extra time, one or two passes went astray there in the end.

"I just thought on the balance, Mayo were better than us on the day."

Chasing a record-extending 40th title, Kerry started well and led by seven points at one point in the first half, with David Clifford scoring a fine individual goal before Mayo battled back.

Helped by Darragh Beirne's goal, Andy Moran's side surged clear early in the second half and eventually hung on to complete a famous victory amid emotional scenes at Croke Park.

"I felt we started well, went up seven and I just thought we took a few bad shot selections," admitted O'Connor.

"I think we had four attacks where we didn't register a score and that was significant, just kept Mayo within touching distance.

"They kicked a couple of two-pointers then from out on the right-hand side towards the Hill, which was the sweet spot and that just got them back in the game.

"We responded well just before half-time to get that score and go in a point up. It just gave Mayo the belief that they were within touching distance and that was enough."

O'Connor said that while some of his squad were "slightly undercooked" after periods on the sidelines with injury, he insisted there was "no reason" why Kerry would not have been hungry for more success.

"Hunger is a great driver but there was no reason why our men shouldn't have been hungry," said the 60-year-old, who claimed his team "only hit our straps two or three times" during the 2026 season.

"We have an ambitious team that want to win more All-Irelands and we felt we were hungry as well. There was nothing wrong with our hunger against Tyrone and Dublin out here, but no excuses, Mayo were better than us today."