KERRY’S KIERAN DONAGHY admits he considered his future following the heartache of last year’s All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin.
The 32-year-old forward contemplated calling time on his 11-year career over the winter months but insists he’s regained his appetite for another tilt at Sam Maguire in 2016.
“Coming off that field last year, that [retirement] was certainly in my head,” Donaghy said. “I wasn’t 100%, I didn’t go home and say this is over.
“But I knew it was something I was going to have to think long and hard about. It wasn’t a decision that was made but it was certainly in my head.
“But you know there’s been people suggesting that it should have been in my head maybe three or four years ago as well. So you’re just trying to weigh up and make the right decision for yourself and your family really.”
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Like many players of his age, Donaghy weighed up a number of options before making his decision to extend his playing career for at least another year.
“We talked, we talked about it in November,” he continued. “I said I have to go home and talk with Hilary. I started a new job with PST Sports, doing artificial pitches.
“I had to talk to the boss about that, is this something that you’re okay with because you know we travel. I’m in Dublin after this, going to see three or four pitches.
“I’m travelling to Dublin. I’d to go to Eamonn [Fitzmaurice] and say, ‘Eamonn are you okay with this?’. Because when he gave me the job, I was probably thinking last year was probably my last year.
Donaghy alongside Eoin Cadogan and Kevin McManamon at yesterday's Allianz League launch. Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
“Not picking up any major injuries last year and having the support of my boss and Hilary and Eamonn to go again, you know, the decision was fairly easy after that.”
Eamon Fitzmaurice’s side can gain a semblance of revenge for September’s defeat at Croke Park when they meet Dublin in the opening league fixture at HQ on Saturday evening.
Donaghy, who has won four All-Ireland titles, says his hunger for success has remained even though he seriously considering hanging up his boots.
“If I come back, you’re never going to have as good as winning it as captain. I just felt that it probably would have been a nice time to go if that result had went the way it did.
“But it’s almost the way it didn’t go made this decision easier and make this decision a lot easier for me to go again.
“If you were coming back after winning it two years in a row and being captain the second year…two in a row is quite hard to do and three in a row is nearly impossible, it hasn’t been done since ’86.”
Kerry's Kieran Donaghy on why he put his retirement plans on hold for 2016
KERRY’S KIERAN DONAGHY admits he considered his future following the heartache of last year’s All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin.
The 32-year-old forward contemplated calling time on his 11-year career over the winter months but insists he’s regained his appetite for another tilt at Sam Maguire in 2016.
“Coming off that field last year, that [retirement] was certainly in my head,” Donaghy said. “I wasn’t 100%, I didn’t go home and say this is over.
“But I knew it was something I was going to have to think long and hard about. It wasn’t a decision that was made but it was certainly in my head.
Like many players of his age, Donaghy weighed up a number of options before making his decision to extend his playing career for at least another year.
“We talked, we talked about it in November,” he continued. “I said I have to go home and talk with Hilary. I started a new job with PST Sports, doing artificial pitches.
“I had to talk to the boss about that, is this something that you’re okay with because you know we travel. I’m in Dublin after this, going to see three or four pitches.
“I’m travelling to Dublin. I’d to go to Eamonn [Fitzmaurice] and say, ‘Eamonn are you okay with this?’. Because when he gave me the job, I was probably thinking last year was probably my last year.
“Not picking up any major injuries last year and having the support of my boss and Hilary and Eamonn to go again, you know, the decision was fairly easy after that.”
Eamon Fitzmaurice’s side can gain a semblance of revenge for September’s defeat at Croke Park when they meet Dublin in the opening league fixture at HQ on Saturday evening.
Donaghy, who has won four All-Ireland titles, says his hunger for success has remained even though he seriously considering hanging up his boots.
“But it’s almost the way it didn’t go made this decision easier and make this decision a lot easier for me to go again.
“If you were coming back after winning it two years in a row and being captain the second year…two in a row is quite hard to do and three in a row is nearly impossible, it hasn’t been done since ’86.”
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Kieran Donaghy Kerry the kingdom calling