AS AN AREA it has produced some of the greatest and most storied names in Gaelic football.
Mick O’Connell, Mick O’Dwyer, Jack O’Shea, Pat Spillane, John Egan and Maurice Fitzgerald are examples of the glittering talents that South Kerry have produced to star on Kingdom teams.
Yet the area has been particularly afflicted by emigration in recent years as a result of the country’s economic crisis.
That has a predictable knock-on effect for the well of Gaelic football talent available and has lead to some local clubs struggling desperately to field teams.
Killian Young is part of the Kerry senior squad that face Tipperary in the Munster championship next Sunday but as a native of Renard, just outside the town of Caherciveen, he can relate to the current problems.
“There’s no work basically down there and it’s a tough, lean time and I just don’t know where the light is coming from.
“Last year I remember getting a phone-call in August from a fella who had gone down to training with five fellas. He rang me saying he was quitting the club and picking up a new sport because there was absolutely no enjoyment in it.
“You wouldn’t actually blame him. I’ve actually no defence for the whole set-up really because he was saying what was the whole point and where was the enjoyment when you were training down the field with only five other fellas in it?
“It’s entirely frustrating and you’re getting beaten every weekend. You feel for those fellas that are doing that and in fairness to them you have to respect them because it’s extremely tough especially in South Kerry. It’s sad to see those things happening really.”
Pic: INPHO/Kieran Murray
Young has praised the efforts to improve matters this year.
“In fairness, this year I’ve seen improvement where teams have been making more of an effort. People are coming back to help the clubs which great to see.
Even within Renard, we have four fellas coming down from Dublin and making the extra drive to fill the team. That’s the effort lads are putting in, training with clubs in Dublin and coming down to play games at the weekend.”
And the sight of club mate Brian Sugrue getting recognition by the Kerry minor side is another encouraging touch.
“I’m delighted to see him doing well. When I first heard he got the number seven jersey I was texting him to say it was nice he got the number seven, a nice touch.
“It was unfortunate for them to lose against Cork but they have had good games against Clare and Waterford. Hopefully they can go on and do us proud.”
