Fitzmaurice hails Brosnan for always leading by example

Kerry’s Eoin Brosnan, who announced his retirement from inter-county football yesterday, has been described as a “fantastic servant to the green and gold”.

The words of Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice who also hailed Brosnan for his “exemplary attitude” in 2013 and “always putting the needs of the team first”.

Fitzmaurice added: “The character Eoin displayed in 2013 was phenomenal. He had a number of injury setbacks but at no stage did he put his head down and wallow in self pity. His attitude was exemplary and he led by example always putting the needs of the team first. That lack of ego is a pretty rare thing in any dressing room and was a great example to our younger players.”

Brosnan — in an interview with Radio Kerry yesterday — brought the curtain down on an inter-county career that has seen him win three All-Irelands, five Munster titles and two National League medals.

The Killarney-based solicitor — now 33 — cited pressure on time as the main reason for ending his career in green and gold. He is married to Mary (neé Collins) and their three daughters Annie, Elizabeth and Jane, now take centre stage.

“I knew during the year that with three young children and being self-employed that I wouldn’t have the time to give for another year. I spoke to Eamonn [Fitzmaurice] briefly the night of the Dublin game and I spoke formally with him and the selectors a few weeks ago to inform them of my decision.”

His greatest memory was the 1-20 to 2-9 All-Ireland win over Mayo when Brosnan lined out at midfield.

“Winning my first All-Ireland in 2004 was special. We had been knocking on the door really for the three previous years and to finally get over the line in 2004 was fantastic.”

The Dr Crokes clubman made 68 championship appearances for the Kingdom, scoring 15-47. Only Sheehy, Liston, Cooper and Pat Spillane rank above him in the all-time Kerry championship goalscorers chart.

When Jack O’Connor succeeded in bringing him back to the Kerry set-up in early 2011 it was to be as a centre-back where he remained.

This year saw Brosnan for the first time in his career play a bit-part. He only made three substitute appearances.

His last start for Kerry was in the 2012 All-Ireland quarter-final against Donegal. His last time in a Kerry jersey was on September 1 when he came on as a 54th-minute substitute for Shane Enright against Dublin.

At club level he has been part of the greatest Dr Crokes side of all time. They have just completed the four-in-a-row in Kerry and, last Sunday, the Munster three-in-a-row.