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Time off work will help Donaghy's body to recover. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Donaghy clarifies reports that he is leaving work to focus on Gaelic football

The Kerry captain is set to leave his current position in Ulster Bank.

Updated 19.30pm

KERRY CAPTAIN KIERAN Donaghy has this evening clarified reports that he is taking time out of his career to concentrate exclusively on Gaelic football.

Donaghy has admitted that he is leaving his current position with Ulster Bank but is looking at ‘new opportunities’.

He released a statement via his Twitter account this evening.

“I’m finishing up in Ulster Bank Tralee in the coming days. I’d like to thank all staff and management for a great experience.

“It’s the right time and the start of a new journey for me.

“However contrary to reports in the media today I am already looking at new opportunities in employment and excited for what the future holds.”

The Kerry full-forward was made captain following his club Austin Stacks’ county championship win last year.

Kieran Donaghy Kieran Donaghy with fans after the Kerry's league game against Tyrone. Presseye / Andrew Paton/INPHO Presseye / Andrew Paton/INPHO / Andrew Paton/INPHO

Donaghy will become a father in the coming months which is also thought to be a big factor in his decision.

The former basketball player has joined the list of footballers who have sacrificed their day jobs to devote the majority of their time to playing football as both Karl Lacey and Darran O’Sullivan have similarly prioritised their Gaelic football careers recently.

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    Mute John
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    Jun 21st 2023, 9:53 AM

    I love this positivity from Collins!

    33
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    Mute john doe
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    Jun 21st 2023, 8:38 AM

    You can’t even beat Greece ffs

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    Mute Stanley Marsh
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    Jun 21st 2023, 9:39 AM

    @john doe: They can barely beat Gibraltar at home.

    I have nothing against this team and setup but it’s time to start concentrating on getting the grassroots and facilities up to standard i.e. concentrat on teams to come in the future.

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    Mute Eoin McCarthy
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    Jun 21st 2023, 10:38 AM

    @Stanley Marsh: To be fair, we put as many past Gibraltar as France, Netherlands and Greece did.

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    Mute john doe
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    Jun 21st 2023, 10:47 AM

    @Eoin McCarthy: oh wow. Another moral victory for us so. We’re as good as France.
    Ffs

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    Mute Stanley Marsh
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    Jun 21st 2023, 11:30 AM

    @Eoin McCarthy: Oh well, I take back everything I said then!!

    WHOOSH!!!

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    Jun 21st 2023, 11:43 AM

    @Stanley Marsh: 18 players given debuts,that’s for the future

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    Mute Stanley Marsh
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    Jun 21st 2023, 1:11 PM

    @Larry Betts: Yes, but what kind of future in the short to medium term?

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    Mute Gearóid MacEachaidh
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    Jun 21st 2023, 8:45 AM

    There is a bizarre scenario for us that to qualify for the play offs we need most of the teams ranked higher than us in the Nations league to qualify automatically through these qualifying groups. One of those teams is The Netherlands. So technically if they beat us it improves our chance of getting a play off.

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    Mute Paul Mallon
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    Jun 21st 2023, 8:50 AM

    @Gearóid MacEachaidh: whatever happened to just the top 2 qualifying.

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    Mute marc anders
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    Jun 21st 2023, 2:16 PM

    What on earth is Kenny putting in the Irl teams drinking water ?
    The latest extraordinary uttering has Collins saying that they can beat France.”Incredible”.
    Judging by his performance on Monday,Collins would have difficulty getting in the Gibraltar side.
    Kenny must be shown the door now. His tactical awareness is non existent,and leads his team up blind alleys.
    Yes delusion is the name of the game by all at the
    F A I.
    Headless chickens come to mind.
    Marc

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    Mute Le Merchelant
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    Jun 21st 2023, 10:45 PM

    @marc anders: what are you talking about? On one hand you are saying that the players shouldn’t have belief in themselves to get the best out of themselves and on the other hand you’re saying Collins wouldn’t get on the Gibraltar team.. which obviously isn’t even remotely true!

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    Mute Simon Dwyer
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    Jun 21st 2023, 9:40 AM

    April fools day is long gone. Please be a great player that you are. Don’t talk like that Please. Chance came and went

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    Mute TC Murphy
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    Jun 21st 2023, 1:29 PM

    Oh Holy mother…..

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    Mute Eoin O'Brien
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    Jun 21st 2023, 11:10 AM

    #positivity #delusional

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    Mute Paul Dunne
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    Jun 21st 2023, 2:25 PM

    they should have asked him before he got steamed up.

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    Mute Colin Cobs Coady
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    Jun 21st 2023, 1:09 PM

    Technical yes we can
    Realistically we won’t
    It’s that easy sum up Irelands chances.

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    Mute Mistral
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    Jun 21st 2023, 1:40 PM

    We shouldn’t be trying to “Nick” a result from anyone

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    Mute Ray Ridge
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    Jun 21st 2023, 8:03 PM

    Stop it. Please.

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