Interview/Liam Hassett: Never mind the last three years in Kerry football. Liam Hassett rode his roller coaster before even the last Sam Maguire in 2000. The early years were strewn with All-Ireland medals. An under-21 in 1995. His club Laune Rangers provided the second in 1996 and a few months later he captained the under-21s as they retained the title.

Less than a year later he pulled again and hit the jackpot, captaining Kerry to the county's first All-Ireland in 11 years. But there were undercurrents.

His captaincy arose because his brother Mike, who had lifted the National League and Munster trophies, had got injured.

Hassett's personal form was a little unsure. He acknowledges the early criticisms that he wasn't scoring enough but then shooting was never his primary task. Adding to the burden of captaincy was Mike's inability to get his place back and the fact when the medals were presented at the end of the year, there were none left for him because six replacements had been used in the All-Ireland stages.

In protest neither Hassett brother played the following year and it took the All-Ireland win of 2000 to purge the situation.

Mike played an important role in regaining the title and Liam was a powerhouse in attack. He picks it from a pocketful of silver memories.

"Two thousand was special because I won with my brother Mike, who didn't get a medal in '97. It was great to win that All-Ireland because I think we played great football and at the time people were talking about a three-in-a-row - the future looked really bright for Kerry football."

Life isn't that simple and four years later he's back still looking for that third senior medal.

"In '97 I was 22; this year I'm 29. The older you get the more you appreciate being in an All-Ireland final. You're able to get into some kind of a rhythm and you know what you're doing - if you've a knock to stay out of training and that."

There are other differences. New manager Jack O'Connor's steady hand on the tiller has guided Kerry along the same course as in 1997 with National League and Munster titles already on the shelf.

"I suppose Jack has given fellas a certain amount of belief in themselves. We've won the league and a Munster title and any other county that did that, there'd be loads written about them. Everyone's delighted to be part of the set-up and everybody's enjoying their football.

"If we overcome Mayo, it'll be a massive year. Winning is a habit and if you keep winning your games fellas gain confidence and know that the things they did in the match are the right things to do."

That confidence has shown in matches - and there have been a few - where Kerry have been under early pressure. In contrast to recent years during which the team had been criticised for fading in the second half, this season has been marked by resilience and an ability to tough out difficult situations.

"That's the thing about those matches," says Hassett. "Teams came flat out at us to try and put us away in the first 20 minutes and we've been lucky enough to have time on our side. We haven't panicked and we've had time to come back.

"Seven down against Limerick. They probably should have put us away but Darragh Ó Sé caught two great balls over the crossbar. The replay was a tremendous victory. Backs-to-the-wall stuff."

He says he was confident even during his less secure years that he would still be around the county scene towards the end of his career.

"You'd hope to. Even though I got my share of criticism over the years, not being a prolific scorer. You come in and do your best and it's great to be part of it. I'm probably still not scoring enough but I think I'm doing a good job for the team, winning the ball. It would be great to finish up with another medal."

This year has been good for Hassett personally. Having replaced an out-of-form Michael Russell in the quarter-final against Dublin he promptly shot two points.

O'Connor has been picking teams all year on form and whereas it was a surprise, there was no earthquake when Hassett took Russell's place for the Derry match.

Selected for his fourth All-Ireland final and looking forward to it, the big Killorglin forward knows that such opportunities won't keep re-occurring.

"This year isn't over yet but next year we mightn't be in an All-Ireland. You have to take it as it comes and this might be my last final. Realistically the years are limited.

"A lot of good players are on the Kerry panel and I'd find it hard to keep going if I wasn't getting my place on the team."