Kelly enjoying ‘camaraderie’ within East Kerry team

Brian Kelly believes the meeting with Mid Kerry, a repeat of last year's final, has the makings of a cracker. 

PLAYING MORE THAN EVER: East Kerry goalkeeper Brian Kelly believes he is playing more football than ever since inter-county retirement. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

East Kerry goalkeeper believes he is playing more football than ever since inter-county retirement. But isn't sure what can be done to unravel the various tangles that are causing much dispute around the future of the Kerry championships.

The Killarney Legion man pulled the curtain down on his intercounty career in January 2021, bringing to an end a stellar 12-year stint with the Kingdom. He was an ever-present with the Kerry minors in 2008, losing out in the All-Ireland semi-final replay to an Aidan O’Shea-inspired Mayo. In 2011 he again represented Kerry at U21 level, defeating Limerick before losing to Cork in the Munster Final. He made his senior debut for Kerry in 2012 with yet another draw with Mayo, but he then served his time as Brendan Kealy’s understudy in 2013.

He took over as No 1 in 2014, making five League appearances and winning Munster and All-Ireland titles that same year. He also won a Sigerson Cup medal with UCC that year. Indeed Brian holds the distinction of keeping clean sheets in the Sigerson, Munster and All-Ireland finals that year, a feat never done or repeated. His popularity within his club is summed up by a former Legion manager who quipped: ”He is the kind of fella you’d love to see your daughter bring home.”

He played in a count final for Killarney Legion in 2015, when they lost to South Kerry after a replay, and also in last year's final with East Kerry. 

So what are his thoughts on the hullabaloo surrounding the county championship and Sean Kelly’s proposal to bin the district teams? 

“Format wise, maybe taking the group stage out and eliminating one round for some teams by bringing back ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ rounds could work, as it might allow for a better break, when you see some of the schedule club sides had this year. 

"Personally I don’t think I have ever played as much football as I have done this year between the County League, Club Championship and this (SFC), but I don’t think there is any easy solution to solving the schedule problems that are there.

"It's funny because a few years ago people were saying we weren’t playing enough games while now the talk is that there are too many.” 

Much of the angst is down to East Kerry's supposed “invincibility”, but Kelly doesn't see it like that.

“We have had some interesting games this year, I felt Templenoe gave us a good battle while Rathmore never gave up against us and forced a few chances for themselves near the end. We have lost four inter-county standard players in Shane Ryan, Paul Murphy, Jonathon (Lyne) and James (O’Donoghue), five even when you consider the injury Ruairi Murphy has at present. 

"A Cian Lynch or a Luke Crowley coming in does negate that somewhat with the enthusiasm they have brought to us.” 

“It’s been exciting this year especially with a lot of new faces around the panel and there are guys I played with and guys I have come to know with being involved in the Kerry U20s this year. There’s a great blend of youth and experience and it is good to see players that were on the bench last year starting for the team this year.

“The standard is very high within the group and while it’s always special to be involved in a county final with your club, you are grateful to still be playing at a high level this time of year when there is little else on. I feel we are playing good football at the moment and are enjoying the camaraderie that is there. 

Kelly believes the meeting with Mid Kerry, a repeat of last year's final, has the makings of a cracker. 

”Our fellas are chomping at the bit every time we meet. I think Mid Kerry have a stronger panel this year with the Cillian Burkes and Daire Clearys giving them more depth and I think it is going to be a great battle between us in the final. Football is so possession-based at the moment that you have to prepare for some very tactical battles and I can see this being one too. 

"They put three goals past the form club in the county in Dingle in their semi-final so there is a danger there. Overall though as with any big game you want to get your own performance right first and hope that everything else will take care of itself from there.”