Kerry didn't 'make it easy' on themselves against Tipperary according to manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice but he expects his charges to benefit from the championship run-out.
The All-Ireland and Munster holders were made to sweat for their 2-14 to 2-8 victory over Tipperary in Semple Stadium and, afterwards, Fitzmaurice remarked to The Examiner: "It was a strange performance from us … I think there were patches of very good football, a lot of frustrating stuff.
"Particularly in the second half when we got ahead - seven points ahead at one stage - we got very sloppy in possession after that which was disappointing. And we almost invited Tipperary back into the game.
"We certainly didn't make it easy on ourselves. At the same time it's great to have a game played, to have a championship game under the belt."
A Munster final showdown against arch rivals Cork will focus Kerry minds over the next three weeks.
"We're back into Fitzgerald Stadium for the next three weeks and we'll try to get ourselves right for that Munster final … Cork coming to town, a huge game, it will really get fellows focused.
"The lads in there today played well, they're in a good position but it will come down to form in training; three weeks can be a long time.
"David (Moran) will be fine. Hopefully all of our injured players will be okay."
Fitzmaurice singled out Bryan Sheehan and Colm Cooper for special praise: "Bryan played very well. At one stage he tracked back, turned over one of the Tipp lads right on the sideline and ended up kicking a big free then. We need more lads playing like that.
"It was also great for Colm to get a game under the belt. Just to have that done and behind him and be looking forward to Cork in Killarney is important."
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