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15th Dec 2015

One Kerry legend calls it a day as another contemplates the end

Multi talented

Patrick McCarry

Star should make a call on his inter-county career within the next month.

2014 felt right for so many reasons.

Kieran Donaghy enjoyed a stand-out season, in an outstanding career, for Austin Stacks and Kerry.

County and provincial titles were won with Stacks and the All-Ireland with The Kingdom. His dominance around the square earned him an All-Star.

2015 was not as memorable. It was more of a slog.

Last night, Donaghy told Terrace Talk that he would make a call on his inter-county career in January.

“The level of commitment to be a Kerry senior is gone up even tenfold,” he said. “It’s a huge privilege and an honour to be even thinking about going back playing with Kerry because when I was a youngster, I was waiting for that call to come in for the winter for Kerry training.

“It’s great to have that knowledge, knowing that if I get in good shape and I’m in shape that I’m eligible to play for Kerry, that I’ll be able to go in there and give it my best shot again with the lads.

“We’ll make that decision in the New Year. Up until January, it’s about getting as fit as I can get.”

A dejected Kieran Donaghy 20/9/2015

Meanwhile, one of Donaghy’s long-time county colleagues has finished his playing career at the age of 31.

Declan O’Sullivan retired from inter-county football late last year but intended to play on with his club. Injury dogged what turned out to be his final year, however.

While O’Sullivan reflects on a career that won him five All-Irelands and six Munster SFC titles, Donaghy is hoping his duel passion for basketball can prolong his time as a county star.

“I went back playing basketball this year,” he said. “I feel reenergised from the basketball.

“I’m doing a bit of training by myself, trying to get the fitness levels up and trying to make sure that the body is in good shape over Christmas, that you’re not packing on the pounds and then trying to lose it all in January.”

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