KERRY’S TWO EXPERIENCED defensive cornerstones show no sign of calling it a day.
Neither the ecstatic high of All-Ireland glory in 2014 or the shattering low of All-Ireland defeat in 2015 have compelled Marc Ó Sé or Aidan O’Mahony to hang up their boots.
Ó Sé made his senior bow in 2002 and O’Mahony followed suit two years later. They have totted up over 150 championship appearances between them yet that stretch of longevity has not persuaded them to depart.
Both players will be 36 this year and teammate David Moran marvels at their capacity to plough on.
“Maybe it’s the fact that the guys have won so much, they’ve been such good players, their legacy is secured, that I’d say they’re just enjoying football.
“They’re going to go down in history as the greats. They’re really enjoying it. I’d say it’s more of an enjoyment thing than anything, they’re really enjoying it. They’re mad to train anyway, so this time of year doesn’t put them off.”
Moran concedes the temptation was there for the duo to step away but points to their high level of conditioning as evidence that they can still cut it at elite level.
“Physically they’re in incredible shape. They’re putting the rest of us to shame. For two guys not to have deteriorated at all over the last five or six years is incredible.
“That’s a testament to the work they have put in. I’m absolutely delighted they stayed on, they’re great on the field and they’re great off the field as well.
“For guys coming through they’re a great sounding board and they’re great leaders.”
