'THERE HAS TO BE A BIT OF BREATHING SPACE'

O'Connor says Leaque finals too close to summer

- BY PAT NOLAN

KERRY boss Jack O'Connor insists that the season needs “breathing space” to allow teams to go after the League.

O'Connor's side almost accidentally fell into Sunday's Division One final against Mayo last weekend, with both them and their opponents dicing with relegation at various stages over the course of last Sunday's games.

After a flying start to the League, Donegal looked a shoo-in to reach the final but they pulled the handbrake with their Ulster preliminary round against Derry, which falls on Sunday week, coming into view.

At the end of it all, Kerry's win over Galway in Salthill and Mayo’ victory at home to Donegal left them in the top two places, as they meet in the final for the third time since 2019.

"Look, it can’t be right where teams are out in the Championship the following week, it can’t be right,” said O'Connor, speaking at the launch of the Munster Championships at Muckross House in Killarney.

“There has to be a bit of breathing space, even for simple things like promoting the games.

“The League final is on this weekend above in Dublin, and we didn't realise we were in it until Sunday evening.