Stephen O'Brien backs Kerry youngsters to lead by example
Thursday 17 January 2019 12:10, UK
Kerry footballer Stephen O'Brien has said that the young stars bursting into the side assume leadership roles.
As Kerry prepare for 2019, they will be hoping to hit the ground running under the helm of new manager Peter Keane. However, former boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice wasn't the only departure at the end of last season.
Kieran Donaghy, Darren O'Sullivan, Donnchadh Walsh and Anthony Maher all announced their retirement, leaving a leadership void in the dressing room.
"Some legends are gone out of the game," said O'Brien. "Since I've been involved serious characters have departed like Declan O'Sullivan, Aidan O'Mahony, Colm Cooper and Marc Ó Sé.
"This year four of them have gone at the same time. It's sad to see them go. I grew up watching Kieran Donaghy catching balls and other guys like Darren O'Sullivan and Donnchadh Walsh were of great help. I used to travel down from Cork with Anthony Maher. It's sad but that's part of sport."
However, he has backed the younger generation, bursting into the squad off the back of five All-Ireland minor titles in a row, to provide leadership: "There is no reason why the younger players can't be leaders; their opinion matters too. They have their own experiences and so much experience of winning after all the minor success.
"Every manager will pick his best team and if you're picked, you are there on merit, irrespective of your age. Guys that are picked will have shown their worth in training. The league is a great place then for talent to come through, with so many competitive fixtures to come. You can see what lads are like in the heat of battle."
While many young stars will be eager to make a name for themselves throughout the coming weeks in the National League, David Clifford is already one of the most revered forwards in the country, and O'Brien thinks he is only going to get better.
"He has ferocious talent, it's unbelievable," the 27-year-old said of the Fossa youngster. "I know he's only a young fella, but he doesn't look young. He's huge. He's well able for the physical side of things. His ability is there for all to see. He really kicked on in the Super 8s for Kerry in the championship, but I think everyone inside there knew that was in him. Even when the games weren't going as well, it doesn't take a genius to tell that he's a class footballer.
"He has brilliant movement off the ball. He clearly has a ridiculous football intelligence.
"He's a mighty man altogether. In fairness to him he's very down to earth. We were having a bit of a sing-song there and he's unbelievable at singing as well so he just has it all. He won some golf tournament as well last year but he wasn't eligible. He's just one of these fellas that has it all."
"I'll come back to you if I find anything that he's not good at!"
While O'Brien has fond memories of the Éamonn Fitzmaurice regime, he's excited about what Keane will bring to the table.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how he (Keane) approaches games," he explained. "We'll know a lot more at the end of the year. Peter is a great tactician and has a good strength and conditioning and dietitian set up. From a football point of view he wants the ball moved fast to the forwards, while also preaching the basic skills of the game.
"In the trial games a lot of lads are putting their hands up. We are down bodies at the moment because lads are playing Sigerson so that's opening the chances for others to stake a claim.
"Every year you play for Kerry you're going to be very excited. You don't know if the next year is going to be your last year, with injuries or anything like. You're trying to get the most out of your career. But definitely this year there's a buzz. You obviously have a new manager. You're going to have a load of new faces as well."
Kerry start their Allianz National League campaign at home to Tyrone, and will be aiming to hit the ground running ahead of the summer. With so much young talent in their squad, the Kingdom are being tipped as the best placed side to halt Dublin's drive for five.
