"It was the most surreal game that I was ever at"
August 29, 2014
Kerry minor manager Jack O'Connor
Jack O'Connor couldn't believe his eyes as he observed the 2011 All-Ireland semi-final between Donegal and Dublin.
Having guided Kerry through to the decider the previous weekend, the then Kingdom boss was in Croke Park to check out the prospective opposition. What unfolded was a dour defensive struggle, with just 14 points in total scored as the Dubs stumbled through...
"It was the most surreal game that I was ever at. I think after about 15 or 20 minutes there was sustained booing coming from the crowd. I'd never seen that previously.
"Donegal did something that day that had never been seen in Croke Park before. They basically parked the bus on Dublin and said, 'let's see you break this down'.
"To be fair - and I know Jim McGuinness got massive criticism afterwards -one thing stood out for me. You need ferocious courage to go with a game plan like that and stick to it and get the players to stick to it. That takes some convincing."
Three years later, as manager of the Kerry minors who await the winners of Sunday's second MFC semi-final, Jack will be back for the rematch.
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