KERRY FOOTBALLER EOIN Brosnan has announced his retirement from the inter-county game, the day after winning a third successive Munster senior club medal with Dr Crokes.
Brosnan won three All-Ireland senior football medals with Kerry in 2004, 2006 and 2007 while he also captained the county this year.
He confirmed the news to Radio Kerry Sport today and revealed that he had waited until the conclusion of Dr Crokes provincial campaign before making the announcement publicly.
“I spoke to Eamonn briefly the night of the Dublin game and then I rang him a few weeks ago to inform him. I just wanted to wait until we’d finished with Crokes and we got over the line yesterday.
“I told the selectors as well and I’d like to thank them all for what they’ve done for me. The time commitment is huge, particularly with three young children and when you’re self-employed. I just wouldn’t have been able to do it for another year.
“This year there was a changing of the guard, the young players have come on and done well. I think there’s a bright future there for Kerry football. I’d a lot of great memories but winning the first All-Ireland in 2004 was really special.”
Kerry’s 2013 season drew to a halt in August when they lost the All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin after the previous month, Brosnan had the honour of leading the county to their 75th Munster senior football title with victory against Cork in Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney.
33 year-old Brosnan’s retirement is not unexpected and he joins long-serving defender Tomás Ó Sé in bowing out after this season. Brosnan had previously been coaxed out of retirement by Jack O’Connor before the 2011 season for the second part of his inter-county career.
He made his debut for Kerry in the league in 2000 against Louth before making his first championship start in 2001 against Tipperary. He won seven Munster senior football medals in his career along with two National football league medals.
Eoin Brosnan in action for Dr Crokes yesterday against Cratloe’s Conor Ryan.
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
Club Star
Brosnan lined out in defence yesterday as Dr Crokes got the better of Cratloe at the Gaelic Grounds in the AIB Munster SFC club final. The victory added to the provincial medals that Brosnan picked up with Dr Crokes in 2011 with a final win over UCC and last year with a decider victory over Castlehaven.
Brosnan has also won five county senior football medals with his club – 2000, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 – but has come up short so far in his efforts to land an All-Ireland club honour.
Dr Crokes have lost their last two semi-final ties against Crossmaglen Rangers and Ballymun Kickhams while it was Armagh’s Crossmaglen who bettered them after a replay in the 2007 All-Ireland final. They will attempt to redress that when they take on Castlebar Mitchels in next February’s All-Ireland semi-final.
Eoin Brosnan and Darragh O’Se celebrate after the 2006 All-Ireland final win.
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
