Tony Brosnan on Dr Crokes' Kerry SFC final win: 'It’s the sweetest day that I’ve had on a football field'

SWEETEST DAY: Dr. Crokes Tony Brosnan celebrates after the game. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon.

It was heart-breaking for Tony Brosnan when injury ruled him out of Kerry’s All-Ireland senior football final against Mayo back in July. It wasn’t the first time that had happened either for the gifted Dr Crokes inside attacker.

Fast forward to Sunday afternoon at Fitzgerald Stadium, and it was redemption for the 30-year-old. With his body released from the shackles of pain, the captain kicked seven points as his side saw off Kenmare Shamrocks in the Kerry County SFC final.

“It was a disappointing way to finish the inter-county season, and it happened to me two years ago as well. It’s never easy to take. Nobody wants to miss an All-Ireland final, especially two of them. This definitely makes up for it. It’s the sweetest day that I’ve had on a football field for sure,” he said.

“I’m just delighted that I’m on the right side of it. These are the best days of your lives. We talked about that a lot. You’re out there with your family and friends, the people you grew up with, so it doesn’t get any sweeter.

“When it happened to me two years ago, I kind of came back and said that I’m just going to throw the shackles off and whatever happens will happen over the next couple of years of my football career. That’s the way that I’ve gone lately. I’m just trying to enjoy my football.

“We’ve a great bunch of lads there, and they keep me on my feet. If I’m slacking, they’ll let me know. It’s enjoyable any day that you put on a Dr Crokes jersey.

“I started playing 20 or 25 years ago, and it doesn’t lose the responsibility, and the beautiful nature, of playing for Dr Crokes. It doesn’t fade away. It’s always sweet when you get to play with the lads.”

Just as the Dr Crokes skipper has had to recover from so many injury and illness setbacks down through the years, he also had to show perseverance during Sunday’s final. Kenmare Shamrocks’ Dara O’Shea stuck like glue to him but, when Brosnan got his opportunities late on, he was razor accurate.

“Dara is a brilliant defender. I’ve marked him in a couple of games throughout the years, so I know what I’m going to get with him. I know I’m going to get a limited amount of chances, and it’s all about taking those chances really.

“I know that if I got a yard or two, the way that I’ve been kicking, and the way I know I can kick, I could sail over a couple, and that’s what happened. The rest of the lads probably kept us in the game. I’m just delighted that I could play my part.”

Sunday was the greatest day of Brosnan’s football career. Lifting the Bishop Moynihan Cup was one thing, but doing it with his brother Steven, a Dr Crokes selector, made it even more special. This feeling will never be equalled or bettered.

“It was a bit surreal out there to be honest. It’s definitely my most memorable one. It won’t leave me for the rest of my life. To be going up the steps with my brother Steven meant that bit more,” he stressed.

Dr Crokes captain Tony Brosnan celebrates with the Bishop Moynihan cup. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

“It’s definitely a proud day for myself and my family. Not many people get to do that. I’m glad that the club gave me the nod this year.

“Steven is black and amber through and through, to be fair to him. Whatever team it is, it’s not just us that he has a footprint in. Sometimes he might be coming up to training, and he might see the ladies team training, and he might shoot off to them, or an under 16 team.

“It’s great to have him in our corner for sure. He really lifts the lads when things are down. Today is a good day, and I can’t wait to celebrate with him, and the rest of the group.”

While the Dr Crokes captain kicked two stunning two-pointers down the stretch in a personal 0-7 haul that took his tally to 2-20 in four county championship outings, he preferred to dish out praise to his attacking colleagues, including man-of-the-match David Shaw.

“David Shaw is probably one of the most skilful players that I’ve ever played with, left and right. You see it up in training every night we’re up there. How that fella isn’t in with a Kerry set-up I just don’t know.

“He’s an unbelievable kicker, so natural, and it’s great to have fellas like that in your team. You know that any time that the ball falls to him, it’s more than likely going to go over the bar, if he gets a yard or two.

“It’s great to have Alex (Hennigan) in. Alex has massive, massive potential. He plays with the shackles off, off-the-cuff, it’s the way you like to see a forward play.

“He’s very, very fast, he has some amount of legs, and we knew that if we got him in space, he would take his opportunity, which he has been doing over the last couple of games.

“It’s the same with Cian Mc Mahon, who has probably been one of the most in-form forwards in the county over the last couple of months. When you have these fellas, it’s unbelievable.

“I want to also give a quick mention for Gavin O’Shea and Micheal Burns, who weren’t even there today. When you have fellas who can come in and basically cover their spots while they’re out, it shows the massive character and determination of a great group.”