Eamonn Fitzmaurice said he knew Sean O'Shea would score a decisive 76th minute free kick for Kerry in the All-Ireland football semi-final against Dublin.
"It's his character, number one," the former Kerry manager told RTÉ Radio One's Sunday Sport.
"He would have felt there that it was a chance to make up for the penalty in the first half. He would have felt as well that the way he practices, he's so diligent, such a brilliant kicker.
"I knew because it was central, that it was within his range. The only thing I was slightly worried about was fatigue and that tricky breeze. I backed him to get it, I knew he would. That's just the type of player he is.
"All those hours of practice below in the pitch in Kenmare paid off on the big day. That's so satisfying for him."
10 July 2022; Seán O'Shea of Kerry, 11, celebrates with teammate Stefan Okunbor after kicking the winning point in his side's victory in the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The free had been awarded following a foul on David Clifford by David Byrne. The scores were level at 1-13 each at the time.
"Five minutes earlier, Mick Fitzsimons was after getting a brilliant hand in on David Clifford," former Dublin football Ciaran Whelan told The Sunday Game.
"David Byrne tries the same thing. He just comes through the back. It's probably far enough out the field to think you can take a risk, but not when you have Sean O'Shea on the pitch.
"That's the nature of Dublin's game. They were going with that high press. They felt they had Kerry on the rack. What a kick."
Seán O'Shea sends @Kerry_Official through to the All-Ireland final thanks to a last-gasp free. pic.twitter.com/0zcuRKtmaU
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 10, 2022
See Also: Canavan Says Ref Right To Not Send Off Kerry's Sean O'Shea Vs Dublin
