PLAYING FOR A PLACE IN THE PANTHEON

Either Jack or tomorrow as contrast in style tees

- BY KARL O'KANE

DONEGAL or Kerry. Old money or nouveau riche. The wily campaigner against the charismatic general. Jack or Jim. The winner takes it all.

Jack O'Connor, the man who painted himself as an outsider in his autobiography, is in danger of becoming an insider.

O'Connor is in his third stint as Kerry manager and looking for his fifth All-Ireland title, a victory which would surely guarantee total respect - even among those with seven or eight Celtic Crosses jingling around in their pockets.

Mick O'Dwyer (8) and Jim Gavin (6) lead the way.

O'Connor is heading towards that realm with a record in finals that currently reads, played seven won four.

His teams have never gone back to back though, or beaten Dublin in a final, losing to them in 2011 and 2023, but O'Connor did manage sides that inflicted capital punishment in two All-Ireland semifinals and a quarterfinal.

These are the standards Kerry managers are judged on.

It's hard to know why people put so much store in going back to back, but they do. O'Connor went close twice, losing deciders in 2005 and 2023.

In 2009, Kerry were struggling, but had an outstanding forward line, featuring every type of attacker you could possibly wish for in Paul Galvin, Kieran Donaghy, Colm Cooper, Declan O'Sullivan, Darren O'Sullivan, Donnchadh Walsh and Tommy Walsh. They had by far the best players in the country.