Jack O’Connor justifies comments about Kerry fans after 2024 criticism

O'Connor also reveals his favourite All-Ireland win

O’Connor says he received criticism last year for suggesting the Armagh crowd had a big part to play in their All-Ireland semi-final defeat at Croke Park in 2024.

Clifford then appealed to Kerry fans ahead of the All-Ireland quarter-final in June of this year against Armagh, saying: “When you hear the Kerry crowd behind you it’s worth five and six points to you in a game.”

Kerry won that game with a superb second-half performance, before going on to win the All-Ireland the following month.

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O’Connor, who has been named Gaelic Writers Association Football Personality of the Year, says that he received criticism for his comments last year, but would say them again.

“I got criticism for it at the time but I would say it again tomorrow if I had to say it, because it was a factor.

“We were well outnumbered in Croke Park that day. The crowd, in a tight game, are a factor. To be fair to the Kerry supporters, they responded in spades. David has the standing in Kerry, that whatever he says, goes.

“If I had said [what Clifford said in June 2025] they might not have responded. But when David said it, they did respond. 

“He was playing so well this year, there were neutral supporters going to games to watch him perform. Why wouldn’t Kerry come out in big numbers?”

O'Connor on favourite win and 2024 personal toll

O’Connor has also revealed his favourite All-Ireland victory, and has opened up on the personal toll of the 2024 defeat by Armagh.

“For me personally, 2004 was a big one because it gave me some credibility. I was replacing a legend like Páidí. As I said before, it wouldn’t be much good, the county board putting me in to replace Páidí if I hadn’t been able to win an All-Ireland.”

On the Armagh defeat, O’Connor said: “That was a tough defeat on the back of losing the final the year before. Then the situation where the management broke up and having to basically deal with the whole fallout of that on my own and trying to put a new management together, that was tough going. No question about it. Well documented, it hit me pretty hard.

“The fallout from last year with the defeat from Armagh and trying to put a new management together, that took its toll on a personal level. I had discussed this with my wife Bridie — there’s no way in my life I would be putting myself through that again.”