GRIFFIN CALLS IT A DAY
FIVE-TIME All-ireland winning Kerry footballer Tommy Griffin admits that his injury woes last season played a role in his decision to retire from the inter-county scene.
The versatile Dingle man, who played at fullback, centre-back and midfield for Kerry in his 12 seasons on the panel, called time on his intercounty career on Saturday, informing manager Jack O’connor of his decision.
Having missed nearly all of last season with an ankle and tendon injuries, and not making any appearance in the championship, Griffin felt that the time was right to call it a day at the top level.
“I have been mulling over it since last September and I just feel that the time is right now to just hang up the boots and move on,” Griffin said.
“The injuries were definitely one factor, as was my age because I’m not getting any younger. I have had my troubles with injuries, especially last year. I spent most of last year doing rehab work, and I would have to spend half of this season trying to get myself right as well, so it had a big say in my decision.
“The body is in good enough shape but maybe not in good enough shape to stay on for another year at that level.”
But Griffin intends to play on with Dingle for the foreseeable future: “I will play away with Dingle for another couple of years, for as long as the body allows me.”
Looking back on his time, Griffin takes great satisfaction from his contribution to the Kerry cause, starting both the ’06 and ’09 All-ireland final victories.
“I can’t complain about my innings at all. I have been very fortunate to play with some great players, in great teams and under some great managers, and there is a lot of luck involved as well. It’s all about the winning really, and I have been very fortunate in my career with Kerry,” Griffin said.
Having had to juggle his profession as a publican and his inter-county career over the years has been one of the challenges he faced, as Griffin explains: “It’s tough to combine the two. It’s fulltime stuff. You think it’s just training twice a week but it’s more than that, it’s five, six days a week that you are looking after the body – you are in the gym, you are stretching, you’re going for rubs, you’re going for physio.
“It’s a balancing act. I am well used to it since 2000 and a lot of time has gone into it but it’s time to concentrate on other things now, to move on.”
As for the future, Griffin expects Kerry to be involved at the business end of the championship again this season, and for the next few years.
“I have no doubt that Kerry will be right up there again this year. Kerry are in great shape. Just looking at the amount of new talent coming up, it’s funny to hear fellas say that there is nothing coming up because there are players coming through every year,” the Dingle man said.
“When you think of this current Kerry team, there is definitely enough talent there to make a big impact over the next few years. There are a lot of young fellas coming through, lads who haven’t even got their chance yet, and we are in good shape to contest AllIreland finals for the next couple of years anyway.”