Mike Hassett remembers the good, and not so good, times

Having been Kerry captain up until the 1997 All-Ireland semi-final, Hassett got injured before the game and saw no further action. He didn't receive a medal despite Kerry winning the final

BROTHERS IN ARMS: Kerry's captain for the day Liam Hassett (r) with his brother Mike Hassett at the end of the 1997 All-Ireland football final. Pic: Brendan Moran SPORTSFILE. 28/9/97

“There was a happy ever after,” Mike Hassett is keen to stress but at the time it felt like his world was caving in.

Captaining Kerry on the back of Laune Rangers’ county final success against West Kerry the previous October in which he scored a wonder goal from full back, 1997 had been turning into a special year when he lifted Division 1 and Munster Cups in May and July.