Brosnan follows Russell out of Kerry set-up

THE fall-out from Kerry’s Munster Championship loss to Cork continues with three-time All-Ireland winner Eoin Brosnan opting out of the squad for the remainder of the Championship.

Brosnan came on as a second-half substitute in the Kingdom’s defeat at Páirc Uí Chaoímh, but has decided not to continue with the squad for the rest of this season. His exit follows that of Mike Frank Russell in similar circumstances earlier this week, and will be interpreted as further signs of a significant shake up in the Kerry squad as Jack O’Connor attempts to get their Championship ambitions back on track. Kerry will play their second round qualifier in two weeks.

Brosnan, who won winners’ medals with Kerry in 2004, 06 and 07, took an extended break from the inter-county scene after last year’s All-Ireland final, and his return to the squad after the National League was greeted with some surprise.

Brosnan made his Kerry senior debut against Louth in 2000, and was a fringe member of the Championship panel that season that won the All-Ireland after a replay with Galway.

At 29, he is two years younger than Russell who walked away from his inter-county career earlier this week, and though Brosnan was further up the pecking order, it is understood the Dr Crokes attacker felt he was no longer guaranteed enough game time to continue. However he will continue to be a key player for Crokes.

Meanwhile, short shrift has been given to local newspaper claims in the county that Pat Flanagan has been drafted in over Alan O’Sullivan’s head as the full-time trainer of the Kerry squad.

Persistent speculation reached the pages of Kerry’s Eye yesterday, with the paper indicating that Flanagan’s role at training last Tuesday night was more significant than his normal input at such sessions.

However the suggestion that his role will supersede that of the team’s trainer, Alan O’Sullivan is being firmly rebutted.

A Kerry insider confirmed: “Pat has been involved on an ongoing basis providing advice and assistance whenever required by the management team. He was also involved with the strength training programmes during the winter months and the national league. That arrangement will remain in place for the remainder of Jack O’Connor’s management term.”