O'Connor hits back at critics as Kerry 'flip the script'

Jack O’Connor compared Kerry’s stunning All-Ireland SFC quarter-final victory over Armagh to their demolition of Dublin at the same stage in 2009.

Stung by the fierce criticism that followed their dismal defeat to Meath in the round-robin series, the Kingdom reeled off 14 unanswered points in a devastating second half display at Croke Park to send the All-Ireland champions packing.

"I thought it was a bit more like 2009, to be honest," the Kerry manager replied when asked about the 2006 quarter-final win over the Orchard County.

"I don't think too many people outside the camp saw that performance there. But we were very, very determined.

"There was ferocious determination in the camp that we weren't going to let the season fizzle out after the Meath game.

"It may have been difficult for Armagh not to listen to the outside noise where we were being written off and they were being written up."

O'Connor added: "It's a big performance and a big Kerry support came up and backed the team, which is great. We love seeing that because a lot of people had us written off during the week.

"But obviously the supporters felt there was another kick in the team. They've seen it happen before. They saw it happen in 2006, they saw it happen in 2009.

"Kerry is a proud county and we weren't going to fizzle out of the championship without a hell of a fight. We saw that fight out there today."