GAA: O'Keeffe: We will be pushed to our limit by Orchard boys; ALL-IRELAND FOOTBALL SEMI-FINAL: Kerry v Armagh.

JOHN O'Keeffe is a footballing legend and one of the all time greats in the famed green and gold.

He commands huge respect in the Kerry set-up because of his deep knowledge of the game and his attention to detail.

He is noted as a strict disciplinarian and keeps a close watch on players at training.

A firm believer in full fitness and the importance of building upper body strength, he has worked hard with players in the gym during the winter.

He is also looking after the Kerry Development Squad along with Mikey O'Sullivan, another teammate from 1975.

While Paidi O'Se is considered to be the motivator of the side - often using fire and brimstone, to rally the troops - O'Keeffe is more measured, though equally as ruthless if neccessary.

O'Keeffe knows the Kerry players will have to think on their feet tomorrow if they are going to counter the Ulster Champions style of play.

"Armagh are going to push us to our limits."I am impressed by Armagh, particularly their movement, constant running and support play, awareness of one another - that makes them an awesome team," he said.

He added: "Armagh have a work ethic which says 'let's regroup and get back when we lose the ball.'

"Their half-forwards and midfielders track back making it difficult to break them down.

"We will have to draw on a spirit that has not been asked from us yet. "

"Hopefully, we will have the wherewithal to break down their defence, although it will not be easy."

When asked about the importance of mental preparation, the Austin Stacks great believes it is equally as important as the physical side.

"The mental side of things has to be right on the day otherwise you are not going to perform.

"Physical and mental preparation has to go hand in hand - one has to complement the other. I would hope that physically we will be able to stay with their runs and match Armagh for 70 minutes.

"Our lads have trained very hard and I can't see them lying down easily. I feel that there is a great desire in the panel to get back to another All-Ireland Final again.

"Mentally I think there are vital passages in a tight game when you must have the desire to go that extra bit. You must have team spirit.

"Because of all the training and all the Championship experience they have, they will have this mental toughness when and if they need it. "

He also believes that it will be easier for Kerry to perform in Croke Park than in Killarney against Cork.

"Most of the panel have played in Croke Park before and, thinking back to my own playing days, I always found that Munster finals in Killarney were more pressurised when you had to perform in front of your own people. The players will find it easier to perform in the surrounds of Croke Park.

"I believe Kerry can handle pressure.

"I think our game against Cork was a big game for us and everyone felt the pressure in the build-up. The lads wanted to make up for last year and we were playing in front of our home crowd.

"But with that game behind us I feel the lads are prepared for anything that Armagh can throw at us and while it is a big game the pressure should not be a major problem. "

O'Keeffe, who also trained Clare and Limerick, knows what it takes to get a team in peak physical condition and apart from the unfortunate injuries to John Crowley and Aodhan MacGerailt he is happy the way things have gone.

"It has been a matter of keeping things ticking over and it has been about keeping the players sharp by doing a lot of ball work and not tiring them. I think we got the balance right in the lead up to this game," O'Keffee said.

Despite the respect he gives Armagh the Kerry great is looking forward to Sunday's meeting with the Ulster champions.

"One has to be hopeful and approach the Armagh clash in a positive frame of mind.

"You are obviously hopeful that the lads will perform the way they are expected to. Whether that's the way things will turn out on Sunday is the big question.

"Another factor to consider is what is the standard like in Munster, we cannot be sure of that. Are Armagh playing the game at a higher pace in Ulster?

"We will just have to wait and see, but hopefully we will be able to match them."

Finally, as O'Keeffe sends his charges for another lap of the pitch during training this week, he enjoys the banter on the way around.

He said that this is most important - especially if the going get's tough on Sunday.

"The closeness and comradship among the squad is very important especially as the big day draws closer.

"Extra qualities may be required in certain situations, so the bonding between the squad is important and will play a vital part in the game.

"All teams are well prepared today for the big day and when the going get's tough it is the team that has the hunger and also the team that is more together that often makes it through.

"I am hopeful that Kerry can do it, but make no mistake about it Armagh are going to provide the supreme test," he said.