Seven things we have learned from Kerry win as attention now turns to Down

3 Jack O’Connor is a sore loser and will want to bounce back

Sunday’s post-match handshake between McGuinness and opposite number Jack O’Connor was awkward with the stewing Kingdon boss unable to look McGuinness in the eye and very keen to move on and not make any form of idle chitchat. Kerry will bounce back, and they will no doubt do that like a bear just poked. But the realisation was probably dawning on Jack that Donegal’s blueprint will be adopted by every other single side the Kingdom now comes up against in both Munster and the All-Ireland. But no one does ‘back to the wall’ better than O’Connor. Last season, when Kerry were going through a difficult spell in the championship, the likes of Darragh Ó Sé was scathing in his criticism of his native county. But O’Connor came out swigging after eliminating then All-Ireland champions Armagh. They subsequently see off Tyrone in the semi-finals before pummelling Donegal in the decider. It will be interesting to see if anyone from within has a pop this time out and give Kerry something to pin to the wall much earlier in 2026.