Kerry football manager Páidí Ó Sé has told RTÉ that he has been in contact with team fitness coach John O'Keeffe and that a training session has been organised for next Saturday morning. The interview took place in South Africa where the Kerry footballers are on holiday, and was Ó Sé's response to the controversy that has hounded him since the publication of his Sunday Independent interview 10 days ago.
On the basis of that interview it was alleged in Kerry that the manager had implicitly criticised O'Keeffe's preparation of the team for last summer's championship. Despite maintaining a dignified silence O'Keeffe - who did not travel on the team holiday - is known to have been annoyed by the comments.
In yesterday's broadcast interview with Marty Morrissey, Ó Sé denied that he had intended any slight on his fellow selector.
"No I didn't. In fact from the very beginning when I wanted to get involved with Kerry football as a trainer, the one person that I did want to get involved with me was John O'Keeffe. He is man of the highest integrity, and that was totally misinterpreted.
"But what I wanted to do was, in conjunction with him, was to bring in some innovative ideas into the training campaign for the New Year."
Asked if he would apologise to O'Keeffe, Ó Sé said the two had already been in touch.
"I've already spoken to John O'Keeffe. He's already organising training for Banna Strand next Saturday morning. I don't know what all this bloody thing is about at all."
He again apologised to Kerry followers for his now notorious comments about them being "f***ing animals".
"I regret very much that in part of interview I offended some of Kerry supporters, or all of my Kerry supporters. They've all been very loyal me, both as a player and a manager, over the 30 years. So basically I say that if I offended them in parts of the article then I'm sorry, I apologise, and we'll continue on from there."
He also emphasised that the controversial interview had taken place ". . . at 2.0 in the afternoon in my conservatory, irrespective of the other allegations that were made against me, that it was held at 2.0 in the morning".
He added that he had no intention of resigning and believed that he had the players' support.
"I would say five fold they are standing behind me."
Meanwhile John Gildea has come out of retirement to assist the Vodaphone All Stars tour to California. The Donegal centrefielder, who retired at the end of last year's championship, was one of two last-minute call-ups for the trip along with Galway's Joe Bergin.
Neither was an All Star nominee but both had good years; Bergin was particularly impressive in his county's All-Ireland under-21 success against Dublin.
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has made six changes for Sunday's Dr McKenna Cup quarter-final clash with Antrim at Coalisland. Pascal McConnell takes over in goal from John Devine, while Ryan McMenamin and Colin Holmes, both impressive substitutes in the win over Fermanagh last weekend, come into the defence.
Kevin Hughes strikes up a midfield partnership with Cormac McAnallen, and, up front, Enda McGinley and Brian McGuigan are drafted into the half forward line.
TYRONE: P McConnell; R McMenamin, C Holmes, M McGee; P Horisk, G Devlin, P Jordan; C McAnallen, K Hughes; E McGinley, B McGuigan, R Mellon; M Harte, O Mulligan, F McGuigan. Subs: S Cavanagh, G Cavlan, J Devine, C Gormley, P Loughran, C McGinley, B Robinson.
