All-Ireland win could be 'last hurrah' for O'Connor

Jack O'Connor won his fifth All-Ireland title with Kerry against Donegal

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor says Sunday's All-Ireland final victory over Donegal could be his "last hurrah" in charge of the Kingdom.

O'Connor guided Kerry to a 1-26 to 0-19 victory at Croke Park and Sam Maguire will head back home with the Munster champions for the first time since 2022.

It is a fifth All-Ireland for O'Connor, who has led the Kingdom across three spells since 2001.

The 64-year-old's current term is set to expire this year and he said his future would be sorted in "due course", adding there was "no hurry" on a decision.

"I think I went on record earlier in the year that it would probably be my last hurrah," he said in his post-match press conference at Croke Park.

"I don't want to be telling you lads [the media] before I tell anyone else, there are more important people down the corridor."

He added that his wife, Bridie, had captured a special moment before he headed to Dublin with his team in case it was his last time with Kerry.

"I was going out the door on Thursday evening with my bag and my wife took a picture of me going out the gate," he said.

"I've a fair idea that will be up on the wall as my last. She'll be framing that one."

Star forward David Clifford, who said comparisons to Lionel Messi motivated him in his 0-9 performance in the final, said O'Connor also had additional fuel due to praise given to opposite number Jim McGuinness.

"He's a winner," Clifford said on his manager.

"I don't think Jack was happy with the commentary around the Donegal manager and all he could do.

"I think there was a lot of disrespect around that for Jack so that was for him today."