Mike Frank Russell interview: 'Football has to be careful where it’s going'

Could Russell carve out a place for himself the way football is played these days? Or was he a footballer for a certain time that has passed? Even the man himself wonders

ONE OF A KIND: Former Kerry footballer Mike Frank Russell pictured during a training session with his club Laune Rangers in Killorglin, County Kerry on Thursday evening. Pic: Don MacMonagle

"I wanted us to do everything at pace. We had to give ourselves an edge. Accurate football, attractive football. Natural. No contrived tactical manoeuvres. Yes, we would pull our centre forward a little deeper, allow Dara to come out, give Mike Frank and Crowley room. Room for the diagonal ball, arguably the most effective pass in Gaelic football… Then it’s one on one. This is when it comes down to skill, basics – football. Now you’re playing. Now the corner forward can take on his man, throw it out to an in-rushing forward, knock it across the field to the far corner or just lamp it over the bar. The stage belonged to Mike Frank Russell. Every time the Ulstermen threatened, Russell upped the bar. Steered us to the All Ireland final."

- Páidí Ó Sé in Páidí