“He was an outstanding team mate and a pleasure to manage.”
Éamonn Fitzmaurice has paid the richest tribute to Marc Ó Sé on the news that the Kerry legend was retiring.
The Kingdom boss has marked the time of one of his finest servants brilliantly by congratulating the Gaeltacht man on his stunning career. The man that he knew as a team mate, and the leader he knew when he took charge of the county.
“We've had some great battles over the years. He's won more of them than me…” https://t.co/FGGoP25GHv #GAA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 12, 2016
It’s the perfect statement – sorry, Joe Brolly – and it does the corner back justice in every way possible. As a character, as a marker, as a ball-player, as a man.
“On behalf of the Kerry management and players I would like to congratulate Marc Ó Sé on his retirement,” the tribute reads.
“He has been an outstanding servant for the Green and Gold with a senior inter county career that stretches over fifteen years. He has played under four different managers and won five All Ireland medals and numerous individual awards in a stellar career.
“This remarkable longevity is a tribute to his professionalism and determination to do the necessary to keep himself at the top of the game.
“I had the honour of both playing and managing Marc. He was an outstanding team mate and a pleasure to manage. He for many years was the back that got to mark the opposition’s number one danger man. More often than not we could take that as mission accomplished.
“As well as being an outstanding man marker he also possessed a rare natural football ability. He was a footballing defender and was an attacking corner back long before it was en vogue, kicking scores from the no 2 position as far back as the All Ireland quarter final against Armagh in 2006.
“He also had a huge presence in the dressing room which was of particular significance in the last few years. He led by example and helped to drive a culture of excellence within the setup. Be it excelling in the football sessions, winning runs, driving gym sessions or speaking in meetings Marc was to the forefront of everything we did.
“Many of our younger players learned a huge amount from him as he displayed to them what it takes to be a Kerry footballer and the responsibilities that go with that. The respect within the group for him is absolute.
“While he is taking a well deserved sabbatical from Kerry at the moment I can see him back in a management capacity in the near future.”
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