Sean Armstrong | Niall Bogue | Eoin Brosnan | Paddy Bradley | Sean Cavanagh Aidan Carr | Kevin Cassidy | Ronan Clarke | Bryan Cullen | Colm Cooper
Shane Curran | Brian Dooher | Kieran Donahy | Mattie Forde | Thomas Freeman
Raymond Gallagher | Paul Galvin | Leighton Glynn | Ciaran Hanratty
Stephen Kernan | James Masters | Andy McClean | Oisin McConville
Ciaran McDonald | Stephen McDonnell | Michael Meehan | Barry Monaghan
Finnian Moriarty | Adrian Morrissey | Conor Mortimer | Eoin Mulligan
Ross Munnelly | Nicholas Murphy | Eamon O'Hara | Stephen O'Neill
Tomas Ó Sé | Darragh Ó Sé | Declan O'Sullivan | Colm Parkinson | Tomás Quinn
Donal Shine | Ciaran Whelan | Fergal Doherty
The atmosphere will be electric in Croke Park on St Patrick's Day and Darragh Ó Sé, the electrician from Kerry, will feel right at home on the big occasion.
The two times All-Ireland winner with Kerry will be lining out with his three brothers, Marc, Tomás and Feargal, in what will be a special day for the Ó Sé clan and everyone associated with the West Kerry club.
An Ghaeltacht picked up the Kerry and Munster titles before overcoming Dublin side St Brigid's in the All-Ireland Club semi-final. As usual, Ó Sé was outstanding that day in midfield and scored a great point in the second half to turn the game in An Ghaeltacht's favour. Ó Sé, midfield master for club and county, has played a vital part in An Ghaeltacht's push for All-Ireland Club glory.
The All-Star midfielder is looking forward to the year ahead with Kerry, but first he has a date with Caltra on St Paddy's Day. Who knows? With Ó Sé in his prime, it might not be his last trip to a big final in Croker this year.
What have been your greatest sporting moments?
Winning my first senior All-Ireland with Kerry back in 1997 ranks up there as the best. Nothing will compare with that. Of course, winning a first county senior title with An Ghaeltacht was brilliant as the team had come up through the junior and intermediate ranks before that.
Who were the toughest teams you ever faced?
I think that the local club games can sometimes be the toughest. Laune Rangers, who we beat in this year’s Kerry club championship, proved one of the best sides I've ever played against. They had Kerry stars Mike Frank Russell and Liam Hassett playingfor them and it was very tough. It took a replay to beat them!
Who was the toughest player you have been up against?
Niall Buckley from Kildare and Meath's John McDermott stand out but Ciarán Whelan from Dublin is something else. He's tough, super fit and keeps going and going for the full seventy minutes.
Which other players do you admire at the moment?
Declan O'Sullivan and Paul Galvin will be big Kerry stars. Michael Meehan is really one to watch as he is the complete all-rounder.
Who were your childhood heroes?
Kerry’s Jack O'Shea and Cork’s Teddy McCarthy.
What advice would you give to young players?
Try to master all the skills and practise kicking with both feet. Pay attention to your coach at all times and with a little hard work, you can make it.
Did you enjoy playing in the International Rules Series?
Representing your country in Gaelic Football was amazing, and testing oneself against professional sportsmen was interesting. I had a great time and made loads of friends.
What are your GAA hopes for the future?
For starters, an All-Ireland club title would be great and with my clubmate Dara Ó Cinnéide at the helm, an All-Ireland with Kerry would be the icing on the cake.
© March 2004
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