Ian O'Riordanfinds early setbacks have stiffened the Kerry star's resolve

In the history of Kerry football there aren't many stories of setbacks and heartbreak on the road to success, which makes the story of Eoin Brosnan a sort of cut above the rest. The idea of an All-Ireland medal being a birthright for the most prodigious of talents in the county may still ring true, but Brosnan certainly earned his, and it wasn't before its time.

Six years ago Brosnan broke on to the senior team, and by then those who knew him best around Killarney had labelled him "the future of Kerry football".

His strong build and natural athleticism certainly oozed potential, and Brosnan had already developed his trademark skill - running on to the ball at tremendous pace and frequently not stopping until the ball is buried in the opponents' net.

During that debut season of 2001 he ended up taking over the Kerry captaincy from Séamus Moynihan, having gained a starting place in the All-Ireland quarter-final draw and subsequent replay win over Dublin.

At just 21, Brosnan then led out Kerry for the semi-final against Meath - which ended in the humiliating 2-14 to 0-5 defeat, arguably Kerry's worst ever performance in Croke Park.

A year later, Brosnan not only endured the All-Ireland defeat to Armagh, but came away with the knowledge that his late goal chance could have salvaged a draw, had he not blasted it wide. Then came the Tyrone massacre of 2003, which marked another low-point for Kerry football.

"I was rooming with Marc Ó Sé that day," recalls Brosnan, "and I remember asking him is this All-Ireland medal ever going to come my way? There have been some severe disappointments in the last seven years alright.

"On a personal level, the worst of them would have been when I was captain against Meath in 2001. That was a wipe-out. Personally, that was very devastating. And I suppose Armagh in 2002 was as bad. I felt we were good enough to win, we had been playing some champagne football coming to Croke Park that year.

"But all that has possibly hardened me as a player. I've talked with Séamus Moynihan about this a few times since and he endured something similar, coming on to the Kerry team in 1992, and getting a lot of knocks and a lot of bad days early on, before he finally had his glory day in 1997. I suppose once you get the first one off the back it's certainly worth it."

Brosnan's first All-Ireland medal finally arrived in 2004, and having taken over the midfield duties from the injured Darragh Ó Sé, he played a key role alongside William Kirby in the demolition of Mayo.

Still, there would be more disappointment to endure - starting with another defeat to Tyrone, this time in the All-Ireland final of 2005 - and then last year with his unceremonious dropping for the final against Mayo. Brosnan had been carrying a groin strain, but that didn't reduce the blow of not making then manager Jack O'Connor's line-up.

"Obviously, it was very disappointing," adds Brosnan. "Everybody wants to play on the biggest occasion. But after being dropped I decided there was only one way to react. There's the initial disappointment, which lasts a couple of days, but then you realise you're still part of the team, and have to do your best for the team.

"And when I was called on at half-time I knew I would be as much as part of it, and did relatively well in the second half (scoring 1-1).

"This year I have been a bit more central to the team, but I also know that being given one of the starting jerseys is something to cherish, and that you're there to do your job. There's no point looking around for the next fella to do it."

It hasn't been all plain sailing since, however, and after helping Dr Crokes to another Munster club football title, there was further disappointment when Crossmaglen eventually got the better of them in the final. Still, Brosnan refuses to dwell on the disappointments.

At 27, it's as if he realises his own importance to the Kerry team, which has seen him amass a massive championship score of 15-38 since that first appearance in 2001 - including 2-6 from four games this year.

"In reality, everything has been good this year. And you prepare for these games like Sunday not to have those disappointments again. The back-to-back really isn't in the players' minds. That's something you think about afterwards, if you succeed. But everyone on this panel is just looking forward to Sunday, and All-Ireland final day. Every player has a job to do, and you can only look after yourself.

"To be honest, I remember someone asked me back in April how I rated the Cork side, and I said they were among the top three teams in the country, along with ourselves and Tyrone. I even put them ahead of Dublin and Armagh and Donegal. They have a quality panel, and I think they've made a big step-up over the last few years.

"Last year, Cork's goal was to win the Munster final, whereas, this year, I knew straight away after we beat them in the Munster final that their disappointment wasn't too profound, that this was a team with a different goal, and agenda.

"They came quietly through the qualifiers, and then exploded against Meath, putting in their best performance. And a 70-minute performance, something we haven't done all year. They're here now on merit, and I expect it to be one hell of a game."

Brosnan's biggest problem this week is avoiding all the hype around his native Killarney, now that himself and fellow residents Colm "Gooch" Cooper and manager Pat O'Shea are so central to the team. A qualified solicitor, Brosnan works in his father Niall's practice in the town, but has a special escape route every evening.

"I just try keep as low a profile as I can. There is a good buzz and banter about, but you just have to get away from it, with say a couple of holes of golf in the evenings. You'd just be swamped if you stayed around the town."

Eoin Brosnan
Club:Dr Crokes.
Height:6ft 3in.
Weight:14st 7lb
Age:27.
Honours:Two All-Ireland senior, Two National League, Five Munster senior, Two Munster club.