Brosnan in line for Kingdom recall to solve midfield issue

KERRY are toying with the idea of inviting Eoin Brosnan back into the fold as the Kingdom grapple with ongoing problems at midfield.

The three-time All-Ireland medal winner hasn’t played for the county since the 2009 Munster Championship but has remained a key part of the Dr Crokes side, who were narrowly beaten by Nemo Rangers in the recent Munster Club SFC final.

In that decider in Mallow, Brosnan’s move to midfield helped trigger an amazing Crokes revival which almost succeeded in turning around a 13 point half time deficit.

But whether the 31-year-old Killarney solicitor is prepared to make an inter-county comeback at this stage is open to question. The indications are that he won’t.

Kerry started with Anthony Maher and David Moran at midfield in Sunday’s opening League defeat to All-Ireland champions Cork, and have Seamus Scanlon and Micheal Quirke waiting in the wings. But it’s understood management are always examining other options, including an approach to Brosnan or possibly his club colleagues Ambrose O’Donovan and Johnny Buckley.

In a pre-Christmas interview with this newspaper, Brosnan said he had no regrets about packing up inter-county football at 28. “The last couple of years became a bit of a chore. I wasn’t enjoying it, so it was time to step aside. As a forward, there’s an expectation that you’re there to score and if you’re not doing that on a regular basis, you are going to be questioned. Even with the present Kerry team, there are players getting criticism even though people don’t see the amount of other work they’re doing.”