Kingdom in the dark over O’Sullivan’s intentions

Five-time All-Ireland winner Tom O’Sullivan has given the Kerry management no indication yet that he is willing to return to the Kingdom this season.

The 33-year-old Rathmore defender has yet to inform Kerry boss Jack O’Connor whether he is going to throw his lot in with the county again this year, which now leaves a major question mark hanging over his Kerry future.

“Tom O’Sullivan hasn’t given any indication that he is coming back,” O’Connor admitted.

A source close to the player also revealed yesterday that O’Sullivan has yet to make a definitive decision, increasing speculation the experienced defender could call time on his inter-county career, having amassed 76 championship games for the Kingdom since he made his debut in 2000.

But there is also a similarity with last season when O’Connor issuedO’Sullivan with an ultimatum following an Allianz League game against Mayo in February after he had not heard from the Rathmore man.

In the aftermath of Rathmore’s East Kerry O’Donoghue Cup final defeat to Dr Crokes in January, O’Sullivan commented: “I haven’t thought about my Kerry future since the Dublin game ‘All-Ireland final], to be honest. It’s time to think about Kerry now.”

Meanwhile, O’Connor has revealed the reasons behind Sean O’Sullivan’s decision to retire from Kerry for the second and final time this week.

The 32-year-old Cromane footballer, who was substituted in both of Kerry’s league games this season,returned to the inter-county scene this season after impressing for Mid Kerry in the Kerry county championship last year.

“Sean O’Sullivan came back with the intention of trying it out for acouple of games and seeing how he felt then,” said O’Connor.

“He wasn’t enjoying it and didn’t feel it was working out so that’s why he made his decision. I respect hisdecision and wish him well.”