He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager.

Here’s how it went:

When you began your career, was there ever a player or manager you idolised?

‘When I started my career, not really, I was 18 with Celtic and you know a lot of good players were there. Henrik Larsson was one. It was more important for me to get to that level and stay at that level, and it was a great experience’.

Tell me how it felt to play for Ireland while Mick McCarthy was manager.

‘It was very good. I began working with him in the Irish camp, and then when I joined Sunderland he would have been the manager there. So he’s been fantastic’.

Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of?

‘I’m just proud as always that I had a long career, a lot of injuries aswell, so probably getting back from those injuries. Along with playing for Cork City and playing internationally for Ireland which is always a good thing’.

When you went into managing, was there ever a manager or manager’s style you idolised?

‘Well we had a few, obviously Martin O’Neil at Celtic, and of course he’s still coaching today. Martin was a very good man and a very good manager. So I’d probably say Martin’.

Describe to me what it felt like to represent your country at an international level.

‘Yea, it was probably the proudest day and one of the biggest achievements’.

This will be your first full season with Kerry, what would you like to being to the club?

‘We recruited well, we still look to bring in more players, but listen i just want to get us as far as we can and get higher up the table and improve on last year’.

What do you believe is Kerry’s strongest capability?

‘We’re still in pre-season so we got some good goals, there’s still some stuff we can improve on, but its still early doors for us. Obviously we got new players, and they need the type of time as the players that are here. So overall it was good to get into the next round (of the Munster Senior Cup), but as I say, we can always be better’.

Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1)

Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell

Saturday 7.30pm

Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre

The St Paul’s women’s team will be hoping to get their National Cup adventure off the ground on Saturday when they welcome 2024 champions Brunell to Killarney. Tip-off in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre is at 7.30pm.

Paul’s have displayed some fine early season form, although their unbeaten start in the Super League came to an abrupt end last weekend when they lost to the Trinity Meteors in Dublin. James Fleming’s side weren’t at their best on the day but they were well in contention heading into the final quarter with the scores at 47-45 in favour of the hosts. The Meteors pushed on in the fourth, however, eventually running out 63-53 winners.

St Paul’s scorers on the night were Maisie Burnham (13), Tara Cousins (12), Lorraine Scanlon (12), Lovisa Hevinder (9), Denise Dunlea (5) and Leah McMahon (2).

The Killarney club are now joint second in the table alongside the Meteors with both teams holding a 4-1 record. Killester are top having won each of their first five games.

Paul’s opponents on Saturday, Brunell, have won three out of five league matches so far.

LAKERS

The Utility Trust St Paul’s Lakers have now won three of their last four games in Division 1 of the Men’s National League following an impressive home victory over Moycullen in Killarney.

Eoin Carroll and Jack O’Sullivan made significant contributions of the Boys in Black; Carroll hit 17 points and collected 13 rebounds while O’Sullivan had 14 points, 12 rebounds and some spectacular blocks.

Steve Kelly posted 30 points and the durable Sam Grant played every second, adding 21 points along the way.

The Lakers started well before the visitors found their footing and the sides went in level at the half-time break after scores by home captain Carroll. There was still nothing to separate the teams entering the fourth quarter (68-65) but buckets by Carroll, Pablo Murcia and Grant opened up a nine-point lead. Moycullen fought back admirably, however, cutting the deficit to just four, but Luke O’Hea’s charges held firm to prevail by eight (88-80).

Next up is a cup tie against the Tipperary Talons, a side they defeated by 30 points just a couple of weeks ago. The cup can be very different to the league, though, and they will need another solid performance to advance to the next round. Tip-off in in Killenaule is at 6.30pm on Saturday.