Enright anxious to take next big step with Kerry

Shane Enright may not yet be a name that slips off the tongue when discussing Kerry football but that could be about to change.

On Sunday in Tralee, in a vital Allianz Football League meeting with old rivals Cork, Enright gets another opportunity to show new manager Eamon Fitzmaurice what he can do.

It could be the last-chance-saloon for the Tarbert native though, on a number of levels.

First there are his fluctuating fortunes with Kerry which go back even to his underage days, when Sunday’s opposition featured prominently. “We lost to Cork in a Munster final in my first year at minor, 2005, but I didn’t play. My second year we beat Tipperary in the Munster final but lost the All-Ireland minor final eventually to Roscommon after a replay. I was on that team with Tommy Walsh, David Moran and a few of those lads.

“My first year at U21, in 2007, we were beaten by Clare in the first round; my second year we beat Cork in Tralee and went on and won the All-Ireland. The following year, 2009, we were hammered by Cork in Páirc Uí Rinn with about nine or 10 points in it in the end.”

Having played two years minor, three years at U21, the natural progression for a player as talented as Enright was to go straight to senior but he had to wait until 2011 to make his debut at the top level.

Again Sunday’s opponents were in the frame and it’s not the happiest of memories for the defender — though revenge was swiftly to follow.

“It was a League game against Cork in Tralee, we were beaten by a point — Donncha O’Connor kicked two points from frees in the last few minutes. I played in the Munster final that year as well when we beat Cork.

“I pulled my hamstring with about ten minutes to go in the game and didn’t play much for the rest of the year.”

2012 was more or less a lost year for Enright who fell out of favour but also suffered his share of injuries. Now, a new management team offers him and a host of new young players an opportunity to shine as the Kingdom bid to get over the disastrous start to the League and successfully battle to retain their top flight status.

“At the start of the year I tore a muscle in my shoulder in the McGrath Cup then did my hamstring in the first league game.

“I’ve had a few good weeks training now and hopefully going in the right direction. I’m 24, this is my third year on the panel so it is time to nail down a spot or move on.”

Which brings us to the other aspect of Enright’s life — the day job. He’s a qualified secondary teacher, history and geography his specialist subjects, but like so many young men of his age he is unemployed.

He too could be thinking of moving on, his fledgling inter-county football career the only thing holding him back. “I’m not looking that far ahead. Hopefully a job will turn up.”

A big game this Sunday for both Cork and Kerry; even bigger for some of those involved.