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Marc O’Se. Photo by Dermot Crean.
AFTER an illustrious career, Kerry defender Marc Ó’Sé has announced his retirement from inter-county football.
The 36-year-old confirmed the news today, to former teammate Dara Ó Cinnéide on his Raidio na Gaeltachta show and in a statement released this afternoon.
The winner of five All-Ireland titles, Ó Sé made played 176 times for Kerry teams and holds a record for championship appearances (88) with his brother Tomás.
In a statement released via the Kerry GAA website this afternoon, the Gaeltacht clubman revealed his retirement decision.
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“Today, I announce my retirement from the Kerry Senior Football Team. 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.
“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.
“Buíochas faoi leith le Cumann Caide na Gaeltachta. Ní bheinn ag imirt le Ciarraí ach don club iontach, speisialta seo. Liam Ó Rocháin agus go háirithe Michéal Ó Sé a bhí mar bhainisteoirí agus mé ag fás aníos. Bhí tionchar an dearfach ar fad ag Micheál orm agus do chreid sé ionam i gcónaí.
“I wish to thank the GPA for all their help and advice down through the years. 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.
“Of course I will miss playing with Kerry, miss the craic and friendships with the lads and most of all miss those big days out in Croke Park but now I look forward to my future with my partner and my young family. After 16 years it is time.”
