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Marc O Se pictured after the final whistle in the Kerry V Dublin All-Ireland semi-final in Croke Park. PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE

KERRY football star Marc Ó Sé announced his retirement from intercounty football. Speaking in an interview with his former teammate Dara Ó Cinnéide on An Saol ó Dheas on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta today, Marc discussed his family history in the game, his career highlights, his early playing days, his biggest regrets, Éamonn Fitzmaurice as manager, and his hopes for the Kerry team in 2017.

Marc said that he had made his decision to retire before the All-Ireland semi-final. “I suppose it was in my head for the year. Down through the years, I was very proud to play for Kerry, and I enjoyed having an influence on the team. I suppose I didn’t have that same influence this year, that’s what I felt,” he said.

“I might have had an influence in the dressing room, but every player wants to have an influence on the pitch...I wasn’t getting my place this year. I didn’t get my game in the Munster final...I was getting older, 36, and maybe the legs weren’t as good. I made the decision before the semi-final, that I’d see out the year with Kerry and then that would be it for me.”

In the interview, he recalled his delight at winning his first All-Ireland medal in 2004, a year when Colm Cooper, Paul Galvin, Aidan O’Mahony and several other players also got their first taste of All-lreland glory. “I felt then that the shackles were off then, we were able to go out and prove ourselves as players, and to go on and maybe win two or three more medals,” he said.

As for the highlights of his career? Marc said: “The quarter-final against Armagh in 2006. We had lost against Armagh in 2002, and it was very hard because Darragh was captain and he had been playing really well that year. The ones you lose, you always remember. Then when we got another chance against Armagh in 2005, we had a chance for revenge maybe. I don’t like to use that word, but maybe that day there was a bit of revenge. Darragh was unbelievable that day.”

The second highlight was the replay against Mayo in the 2014 All-Ireland semi-final. “The supporters were unbelievable. I wasn’t starting that day, and I was really upset about it. Éamonn (Fitzmaurice) called me and told me I wasn’t starting, and I got an awful land,” he said.

“I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong at the time, but Éamonn’s point was that I wasn’t excelling. It was just the kick in the backside I needed. I had my mind made up that when I got my chance I would prove that he was wrong. Everything just worked out for me on the day. I was brought in after 20 minutes, because I think Shane Enright got a yellow card. I was really lucky, because if he hadn’t got the card then I mightn’t have been put on till the 65th or 70th minute maybe. I played well and we were in the final again. I really enjoyed that match.”

Speaking of the year 2014 he said: “Everyone was saying coming into 2014 that Éamonn Fitzmaurice would have to make a lot of changes, particularly the players over 30. But Éamonn was great about that. He had a word with each of us. He said that he was happy with us, and to keep it up. I have to give Éamonn credit, throughout 2013, ’14, ’15, ’16 he never led me to believe that he thought I was finished or anything like that...”

Asked if it was strange when Éamonn came in as manager, when he had previously played football with him, Marc said: “It’s something that’s always been in Kerry, to have respect for your manager. I know that things happened in Cork, and maybe in Mayo last year...but in Kerry it was always important to respect the manager. We were all very friendly, but when we were working, we were working. Éamonn is tough, and if he has something to say to you, he will. I think that’s great, it’s a talent.

“Any time he had something to say to me, he did it, particularly in this past year. I would be asking him for advice, what could I do, and he would advise me to concentrate on this and that. I have to give him full credit.”

He said that he had really enjoyed playing, right up to 2015 when he got injured after the semi final. “This year I didn’t enjoy it as much, that’s why I’ve made this decision, and it’s the right decision, I just don’t have the speed.”

He said that he thought Kerry have a great chance for the 2017 All-Ireland if they continue they way they have been playing.

His two big regrets are the All-Ireland finals in 2002 and 2011. “They’re always on my mind, as if they happened yesterday.”

The interview with Marc Ó Sé was broadcast on An Saol ó Dheas on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.
 

 
Marc O Se celebrates with cousins Padraig Og and Neasa O Se, (children of Paid O Se) after Kerry's victory over Donegal in Croke Park in 2014. PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE