"It was only when Tommy Walsh came in that we went more the direct route," explained O'Connor.

"I think that substitution changed the game a bit. It was our aim to get off to a fast start, but you have to tip your hat to Meath - they made a great fight of it and that game was in the balance for long periods.

"Tommy reacted extremely well to not starting, and isn't that the way you want fellas to react?

"When he came on he really made a huge difference and I'm thankful that he did."

O'Connor felt that the half-time introduction of Walsh gave his side a much-needed boost, as Meath had started to come back into contention before the interval.

"That game was really in the balance at half-time and the quick start we got to the second half with Tommy's goal really got us off to a good start and helped us settle.

"I wasn't surprised because Meath are an improving team with great heart and great spirit and they had big strong men out there."

The Kerry supremo could not hide his delight that neighbours Cork are now next up for his side in the All-Ireland decider.

He added: "The objective to playing in an All-Ireland semi-final was to try and get over the line and get to the final.

"We got the battle from Meath that we knew we would get. People writing Meath off all week was a perfect scenario for them.

"It was a difficult game for us to come in to after the high point of the Dublin game, but we are delighted to have got over the line and we are now looking forward to the final against Cork."

Meanwhile, Tadhg Kennelly is now just weeks away from his first All-Ireland Senior Football final.

The Listowel native was exiled from Ireland for almost 10 years as he embarked on a successful Aussie Rules career with the Sydney Swans.

Yesterday he again played a significant role in the Kerry attack, most notably providing the assist for Walsh's goal.

"I've put in so much since I've come home and it has been a success either way already, whether we win or lose," he said.

And speaking about yesterday's victory over Meath, Kennelly felt that his side were always going to be able to outpace the Royals.

"In the Dublin game we got everything going our way and coming into the game we knew that playing against Meath was going to be a physical game.

"Especially with the conditions and with the wet, greasy ball, it wasn't going to be easy football.

"We knew if we kept going and kept going we had the footballers and the physical players out there to match them and break them.

"We changed our game-plan a bit and it worked well in the second half."

Yesterday's encounter was the first to take place on the new surface with heavy rain prevailing.

There was a lot of debate after the game over how players seemed to lose their footing easily on the recently relaid pitch.

Indeed, Kerry captain Darran O’Sullivan slipped while taking a penalty for his side.

However, Kennelly says that a lot of the slipping and sliding was because players were tiring.

"I think as players get tired, people forget that you lose your footing as your legs get fatigued.

"When players get tired they start losing their sharpness and they get lazy on their feet. That's why you get a lot of players in the last 20 minutes of games slipping over because they are fatigued or tired.

"Personally it was fine for me."