One of the worst kept secrets in Kerry football was confirmed when Eoin Brosnan announced he was retiring from intercounty football, ending a career that lasted from 2000 to 2013, and saw him win All-Ireland medals in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Brosnan, 33, who made 68 championship appearances and scored 15-47 for the Kingdom, confirmed he had told Kerry boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice the day Kerry lost to Dublin in the All-Ireland semi final.

“I spoke to Eamonn during the year, and he knew I was finding it difficult with three young children at home. I am self-employed as well and just would not be able to give the commitment and said that the time was right to walk away.

“I think this year there had been a changing of the guard with young players like Fionn Fitzgerald and Shane Enright coming along and really doing well. So I leave knowing that there is a bright future for Kerry.”

Brosnan admitted t he might have announced his decision to retire earlier but wanted Dr Crokes' Munster club campaign over first.

'We just about got over the line'
"We just got over the line yesterday, it was a tight and we just about made it. I spoke to Eamonn briefly the night of the Dublin game and I rang him a few weeks ago, and I also spoke the selectors as well and it was just to thank them really for everything they did for me over the past number of years".

Brosnan admits stepping down from the Kerry set up is never easy and last year he captained Kerry, though he only came on as a sub in the semi-final All-Ireland final against the Dubs, for Enright.

“No, it’s never an easy decision and I suppose it will be next summer when I will really miss it but as I said with a wife and three children at home, I will be kept busy.”

As for his greatest day in the green and gold, Brosnan nominates the 2004 All-Ireland win. “I suppose winning my first All-Ireland senior in 2004 stands out, because we had been knocking on the door in 2001, 2002 and 2003, so it was great to get over the winning line”.