Kerry's Joe O'Connor not in favour of pre-season competitions like McGrath Cup

Michael Bolton

Kerry midfielder Joe O'Connor says he doesn't support bringing back pre-season competitions ahead of the 2026 season.

With the introduction of the new rules in 2025, competitions such as the McGrath Cup were suspended, with discussions ongoing as to whether they should be reintroduced in January.

While the games are designed for squads to get players up to speed, O'Connor prefers focusing on pre-season training and being ready for the first round of the league.

“I just think there's enough competition, and it's probably a time where players can just focus on getting a pre-season in. If it was there, I'm sure it wouldn't be a big issue as a couple of games to get you ready for the league.

"It's nice to just have a block where you can focus on training.”

“It’s probably done to just get back and get a bit of pre-season done and be ready to go. It's important to get a good pre-season, especially with the new rules.

"The body needs to be in a good place for the league.”

After a serious knee injury in 2022, O'Connor had his best season to help Kerry to All-Ireland glory.

Scoring a goal in the All-Ireland final, and a vital goal against Cork in the Munster semi-final, O'Connor's engine in midfield combined with the new rules was a perfect mix.

"The medical team put a lot of time and effort into me to make sure I was in a good place. I felt good when I was back last year.

“I probably felt like last year I was in my shell a bit and I knew there was probably more in me and that's kind of what motivated me for the winter.

“I just felt like I wasn't playing at the level I could play at and that was my main motivator really, to go after it for the season just gone and it was up and down or whatever but I was happy with how it panned out.”

After much speculation, Jack O'Connor will be in charge of Kerry once again, as he attempts to retain an All-Ireland title for a first time.

With a young squad and talent all over the pitch, it is exciting times for Kerry, with O'Connor excited for the year ahead.

“I suppose we’d a new enough team this year with the selectors coming in, and things worked fairly well for us. There was a nice, fresh feeling down there so we were all keen to get them back, so it is great.”