The Kerry dugout on Saturday was once again notable for the absence of selectors Mikey Sheehy and Diarmuid Murphy, despite GAA president Liam O'Neill giving his clearance for the pair to be there.

A far from impressed Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice explained to the Irish Examiner that his selectors had failed to secure permission from Munster Council officials in Fitzgerald Stadium, and had to watch the game from the stand for the second weekend in-a-row instead.

"We sought clarification before the game and were told that the Munster Council were seeking guidance from headquarters," Fitzmaurice said.

"Despite what Liam O'Neill said in the paper on Saturday, we didn't seem to have the clearance for the two lads so we had Plan B ready. Otherwise it was another cold war on the sideline.

"I'd prefer to have my selectors on the sideline. There's more subtlety to a conversation than through a dugout and over a wire. If Mikey Sheehy wants to say something to me it's through Diarmuid Murphy to Cian O'Neill to me. That's hardly right."

Following their drubbing of Waterford, Kerry face a five-week wait before they meet either Cork or Clare in the Munster final, meaning secondary schoolteacher Fitzmaurice will have plenty of time to prepare for that game.

"Yes, it's fantastic that I'm off over the summer. I'll have a lot more time on my hands to think about things and meet players one on one." Tweet

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