WE’VE TEAMED UP with UPMC – Official Healthcare Partner of the GAA/GPA – to produce a brand new Life Changing Moments podcast series.
Over an eight-week period, legendary former GAA players will open up about key performances that helped shape their illustrious careers and change their lives – on and off the pitch.
THE Ó SÉ’S are undoubtedly one of Ireland’s great sporting dynasties.
As the youngest member of the famous West Kerry football family to represent Kerry at inter-county level — after uncle Páidí and brothers Darragh and Tomás — Marc made his senior championship debut in 2002.
By the time the legendary corner-back retired from the county game in 2016, he had won an astounding five All-Ireland senior medals, three All-Stars and the Footballer of the Year award.
However, when asked to pick out a vital moment from his career, the An Gaeltacht clubman has gone for an All-Ireland quarter-final showdown with Armagh from 2006.
“It was a game that certainly had a huge impact on me,” Ó Sé told The42 GAA editor Fintan O’Toole in the latest episode.
When I look back on my career, and particularly the formative years, it was a game that drove us on to bigger and better things.
“That game is definitely one of the highlights of my career. A lot of people think I’d have to pick a final, but for me, the most memorable games are about the intensity and all of that. The 2006 quarter-final against Armagh certainly fits the bill for that one.”
Ó Sé had previously suffered heartbreak against Armagh in the 2002 All-Ireland final, when the Orchard County lifted Sam Maguire for the very first time.
And that defeat certainly played on his mind four years later.
“It’s really the reason why this is one of the highlights,” he added. “We had history with Armagh, having been beaten by them in the 2002 final. My brother Darragh was captain that day, [uncle] Páidí was in charge and myself and [brother] Tomás were also playing.
“So it was a huge disappointment to lose that one, and that was a tough year too because it was the year we buried our dad.”
For the full interview, click the Soundcloud button at the top of the article or subscribe to The42 wherever you get your podcasts.
UPMC, Official Healthcare Partner of the GAA/GPA, has been providing expert healthcare in the South East since 2006. UPMC’s operations in Ireland include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane, the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy with locations at UPMC Whitfield and in Cork, and the UPMC Concussion Network. For more information on how UPMC provides life changing medicine to communities across Ireland, visit www.upmc.ie
