Micheál Burns clarifies Kerry exit: ‘I was more told I wasn’t wanted’ 

The Dr Crokes forward says he didn't walk away voluntarily from Kerry's 2024 panel

Micheál Burns of Dr Crokes in action against Conor Cahalane of Castlehaven during the AIB Munster GAA Senior Club Football Championship quarter-final match between Dr Crokes and Castlehaven at Lewis Road in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Dr Crokes forward Micheál Burns has clarified he was dropped from the 2024 Kerry panel and did not leave it of his own accord.

The 2022 All-Ireland winner started Kerry’s opening league game of the season but did not play after that. It was later reported that he had made the call to leave the squad.

Burns has since won a club and county championship with Pat O’Shea’s outfit and is currently preparing for a Munster final clash against Loughmore Castleiney.

Speaking on the Smaller Fish Podcast with former Laois footballer Colm Parkinson, Burns explained what led to his departure from the intercounty setup.

“Look I don’t think it is any secret; I was more told I wasn’t wanted (rather) than leaving the panel. I’d be that kind of person, when I am told something like that it probably does subconsciously light a fire in me,” he said.

“Look it is not really that important. Kerry is full of talent, a few people asked me at the time would I talk about it, but my loyalty would be to the lads inside there that I played with. 

"It was a bad time of the season to go out and talk about it. A few months down the line I have no problem saying I was more told that I was surplus to requirements than leaving the panel. That is their decision and you have to live with that as well.” 

He went on to explain he was called to a meeting with Kerry manager Jack O’Connor before training.

“Without going into too much detail, he just said he didn’t see me having a role to play. No more words than that. I actually had the bag packed ready to go to training that evening, I got a call to meet him behind the Europe and he just said it to me.

“I was in a bit of shock at the time, so I probably didn’t say too much to him. It took a bit of time to adjust. I spent seven seasons in there so I was getting ready for training that evening and next thing I know I am on the road home. Didn’t know what I was going at for the evening. It was tough but look, these things happen. Like I said, you just get on with it.” 

Burns had been taken off at half-time in the opening defeat against Derry.

He continued: “I’ve had a few occasions where I was whipped early and things didn’t go my way, but I definitely don’t think I was playing that badly. Look, I don’t know, I didn’t question him on it too much. Jack is in that position and it is his decision to make. Not that I was happy about it, I just accepted it.”

The full podcast with Micheál Burns is available on Smaller Fish GAA Patreon.