Marc Ó Sé believes those predicting an easy win for Kerry in this Sunday's All-Ireland football final against Galway have misjudged the clash.
"I think it's going to be a lot tighter than that," said the five-time Kerry All-Ireland winner, speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes.
"Of course, the Kerry and Dublin game is huge, and Kerry overcoming that game is really going to stand to them as well. That said, I actually think Galway are a better team than Dublin. Just looking at the match-ups, it's going to be an intriguing battle.
"Mentally, for Kerry, coming through that Dublin game was huge. You have to remember that it was a Dublin team without Con O'Callaghan. That's a very different situation. If you had a Con O'Callaghan there, it could have been a different outcome.
"From a Kerry point of view, they'll be happy that they've overcome that big obstacle, the Dublin team. Now it's about refocusing again."
13 April 2008; Marc Ó Sé, Kerry, in action against Padraic Joyce, Galway. Allianz National Football League, Division 1, Round 7, Galway v Kerry, Pearse Stadium, Salthill, Galway. Photo by Sportsfile
Ó Sé feels that Pádraic Joyce has made Galway a far more durable team.
"Galway have shown that they are well-able to stay in tough, tight games," said Ó Sé.
"We saw the Armagh game, and how it looked as if they were dead and buried. The way they came back, especially in extra-time... Shane Walsh, who went down with cramp towards the end of the match, he pops up and takes a penalty.
"Since Pádraic Joyce has come in, he's really brought a bit of steel to them. We all know the Pádraic Joyce who played, a fantastic footballer. We all remember that 2001 performance that he gave against Meath - unbelievable.
"He's got these guys eating out of the palm of his hands. You just need somebody like that, a figure like Pádraic Joyce to take charge. It's really added to Galway's mental resolve. Coming through a tough game like that [against Armagh] will really stand to them."
See Also: How Kerry And Meath Kept Their All-Ireland Final Dream Burning Brightly
