“There’s a massive desire in the group, a lot of those lads have no All-Ireland medal. Our experienced lads have a couple all right but a lot of the younger guys don’t have a medal at any grade.

“There’s massive hunger in the group, there’s massive togetherness, there is great spirit there and I think that was visible definitely there today,” he said.

Fitzmaurice reverted to old tactics as he placed Kieran Donaghy on the edge of the Mayo square and this proved vital to the victory.

Mayo did however hold a three-point lead at half-time in normal time and the Kerry supremo commended the resolve of his players as they battled on.

“Throughout the season usually we went in at half-time down and we played better in the second-half,” he continued.

“There was very little between the teams over the two days. It took extra-time the second day and definitely it wouldn’t have been beyond the reasons of possibility to be heading for Dublin next weekend,” said Fitzmaurice.

Kerry will go on to face the winners of tomorrow’s semi-final between Dublin and Donegal in the decider and Fitzmaurice has identified some areas of weakness where his team can improve upon.

"Right at the end of the game we lacked composure. Twice in extra-time we had the ball when we were coming out and we turned it over and Mayo came down and went looking for goals that could have sent it to Dublin next weekend.

“We did show good composure at times, but again like every game there’s plenty we can improve on and we will have to improve again for an All-Ireland final,” he said.