95% of Kerry pitches currently unplayable
The inclement weather has reinforced the need for their centre of excellence, which will be split between Tralee IT and Currans and is in line to be completed by the end of the year. With only five floodlit pitches in the county, the Kerry senior football panel have alternated their training sessions between Dr Crokes and Rathmore thus far this year.
“Pitches are under water, roads are under water so we are finding it hard to get games organised and senior county training done,” said O’Sullivan. “The flooding in Kerry has driven us bonkers, if I’m honest. If somebody were to walk every pitch in Kerry tomorrow morning they’d find 95% of them wouldn’t be playable.
“We have had access to John Mitchels but they need access to it themselves. We’ve had to go outside the county to Cork and Limerick for training depending where we can get the pitch. Brosna is one of the highest pitches we have and it’s a good pitch but there are hardly any pitches available.”
Kerry organised their latest fundraiser for the centre of excellence in Dublin last night where they staged a black-tie gala. O’Sullivan hopes there’s a growing understanding out there just how much the finances are required.
“People think we’re loaded but all the money is going to something. There’s not an unlimited amount of cash. Kerry might take in €180,000 from it but the money might be €90,000 by the end of it. We’re constantly on the go, trying to raise money and we’re realistic enough to know we’re not expecting something for nothing.”
