Marc Ó Sé has retired from inter county action.
By Cian O'Connell
Kerry's Marc Ó Sé has announced his retirement from the inter-county game. Ó Sé, who won five All Ireland medals, made his Championship debut for Kerry in 2002.
Since then An Ghaeltacht clubman Ó Sé has made 176 League and Championship appearances for the Kingdom.
In a statement released on Wednesday morning Ó Sé confirmed his decision.
"Today, I announce my retirement from the Kerry Senior Football Team," Ó Sé said. "It has been 16 years since I first became a member of the Kerry Senior Panel and now I feel it is the right time for me, my family and Kerry to hang up my boots. I wish to thank my family for all their support throughout my career with Kerry.
"I would like to thank the Kerry County Board for all their support down through the years. I would also like to thank all the selectors, trainers, doctors, physio's, backroom staff and of course the players whom I have been lucky to serve with during my career."
Ó Sé enjoyed a glittering career earning five All Ireland Senior titles, three Allianz Football Leagues, 10 Munster Senior medals, GAA and Texaco Player of the Year in 2007, one Munster Club, and three All Star awards, highlighting the role his former Kerry managers had on his career. "I wish to thank Jack O'Connor, Pat O'Shea and of course Eamonn Fitzmaurice for all their guidance and support during my years wearing the green and gold.
"I would also like to pay special tribute to my late uncle Páidí, who guided me through my first two seasons with Kerry, particularly when there were question marks still hanging over me, but he continued to believe in me and while Paidí was no longer Kerry manager from 2003 onwards he remained a huge influence and a constant mentor throughout my career.
"I wish to thank the Kerry supporters for all their support down through the years."
The immensely talented back will continue to play for An Ghaeltacht and is thrilled to have enjoyed such a productive career in the Kerry jersey. "If you told me as a child that I would go on and win All Ireland's with my heroes I would have said I was dreaming so to be able to do that has been one of the greatest thrills of my life. To play alongside some of the greatest players to ever play the game is something I will always cherish.
"I will continue to play football with my club An Ghaeltacht who have recently gained promotion to Division 1 of the County League and I look forward to playing with some exceptional young footballers in our great club.
"I wish the Kerry team all the best in the years ahead and I have no doubt that they will recapture Sam in the not too distant future."
Marc Ó Sé and Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice.
Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice paid tribute to Ó Sé. "On behalf of the Kerry management and players I would like to congratulate Marc Ó Sé on his retirement.
"He has been an outstanding servant for the Green and Gold with a senior inter county career that stretches over 15 years.
"He has played under four different managers and won five All Ireland medals and numerous individual awards in a stellar career.
"This remarkable longevity is a tribute to his professionalism and determination to do the necessary to keep himself at the top of the game."
Fitzmaurice is adamant that Ó Sé will be involved in a coaching capacity with Kerry at some stage. "I had the honour of both playing and managing Marc," Fitzmaurice said.
"He was an outstanding team mate and a pleasure to manage. He for many years was the back that got to mark the opposition’s number one danger man. More often than not we could take that as mission accomplished.
"As well as being an outstanding man marker he also possessed a rare natural football ability. He was a footballing defender and was an attacking corner back long before it was en vogue, kicking scores from the no 2 position as far back as the All Ireland quarter final against Armagh in 2006.
"He also had a huge presence in the dressing room which was of particular significance in the last few years. He led by example and helped to drive a culture of excellence within the setup. Be it excelling in the football sessions, winning runs, driving gym sessions or speaking in meetings Marc was to the forefront of everything we did.
"Many of our younger players learned a huge amount from him as he displayed to them what it takes to be a Kerry footballer and the responsibilities that go with that. The respect within the group for him is absolute.
"While he is taking a well deserved sabbatical from Kerry at the moment I can see him back in a management capacity in the near future."
