"Jesus I'm Buzzing": Kerry Manager Couldn't Contain His Joy After Reaching Minor All-Ireland Final

Kerry have booked their spot in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Football Final after defeating Mayo 1-19 to 3-10 in Sunday's semi-final.

It was a pulsating clash that saw both sides trading the lead from start to finish. Kerry came racing out of the blocks, claiming both an early lead and the game's first goal in the 22nd minute. Despite not making use of the strong wind at their backs, however, Mayo would come roaring back into life late in the half, claiming a penalty and a swathe of points to carry a slim 1-point lead down the tunnel.

Just as quickly as it swung in Mayo's favour, the momentum swung back to Kerry after the half-time switch. The Kingdom's Ben Kelliher and Kevin Griffin sending over two sensational two-pointers for a four-point swing.

While an attackingly aggressive Mayo looked to have claimed the level affair with a stoppage-time point, a late Kerry rally saw Gearóid White, Nick Lacey and Ben Kelliher all convert their injury-time chances to book Kerry's spot in the final.

63 Nóim #KERvMAY@Kerry_Official 1-17 (20)@MayoGAA 3-10 (19)

An é seo an scór ciniúnach ??

will this be winning score ??

BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/k9mcy8kamV

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) June 22, 2025

Speaking to TG4 after his side's late heroics, Kerry manager Wayne Quillinan could barely contain his emotions, heralding his side's character to come back from the brink in the dying minutes.

Visibly emotional, Quillinan spoke eloquently as ever about the sense of team within his side, saying the real goal was to earn two more weeks together over the All-Ireland final.

I spoke just before the game about the character of this team, we were under the cosh, in fairness to Mayo they came back at us and showed how good a team they were, but our guys responded again.

That's what I love about our guys, they responded against Cavan, they've responded again today and it takes a special team to do that. I'm just delighted for those guys to get an opportunity.

We didn't talk about the All-Ireland final, we talked about two weeks more together and that's what we get.

The joy of the occasion certainly wasn't lost on the 'buzzing' Kerry boss who wasn't one bit ready to worry about an All-Ireland final, and certainly had no interest in following the traditional media speeches of other managers.

Jesus I'm buzzing. I see managers sometimes and they're after reaching All-Ireland finals and they're all not happy. Jesus, I'm not going to be like that, it's fantastic for those guys, we've another two weeks with them, it's just another great two weeks to look forward to.

I know the challenge, I know Tyrone, I know all of that, but do you know what, not tonight, we'll worry about all of that tomorrow.

Despite the euphoric ending to the game for Kerry, Quillinan was only all too aware of the hurt Mayo were feeling, calling them a credit to their county and saying the pressure on the young athletes was 'unbelievable'.

"I was here for the losing semi-finals in the last two years. I just want to spare a thought for Mayo, what a game they put in today and I know the hurt because I've experienced the hurt in the last two years. Their a credit to Mayo County and that game was a credit to both counties," said Qullinan.

"It's unbelievable (the pressure on 15,16 and 17-year-olds at this level)."

Kerry will now face Tyrone in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Football Final in a fortnight's time.