Micheal Burns has opened up about his departure from the Kerry panel earlier this year.
The Dr Crokes forward played for Kerry for seven years before leaving the panel back in February, after a meeting with Jack Connor.
Burns had been subbed at half-time in the county’s National League opener against Derry - his last appearance for the county - with Jack O’Connor giving his version of events to the media in the aftermath.
“There comes a time in all careers when you have to make a decision whether the effort is worth the potential reward,” O’Connor explained to the Irish Examiner.
“Micheal has come to that stage. He’s 27, and possibly didn’t feel he was getting the game time that was going to keep him happy and motivated. That leads to a discussion."
"I was getting ready for training that evening next thing i know i'm on the road home"@procure_ie
Micheál Burns on getting dropped off the Kerry panel after a meeting with Jack O'Connor pic.twitter.com/YlBZgJ7dFA
— Smaller Fish GAA (@SmallerFishGAA) November 27, 2024
In the mean-time, Burns (28), has had a brilliant year for his club Dr. Crokes, helping them to the treble - the League, the club and the county championships.
He’s been playing in a more attacking role, closer to the goals, bringing the best out of himself with the Killarney kingpins now set for a Munster club final against Loughmore-Castleiney in a fortnight’s time.
Burns was on The Smaller Fish GAA Show, explaining how the Kerry situation transpired, indicating it was a case of being told he ‘wasn’t wanted,’ than him ‘leaving the panel.’
“I don’t think it’s any secret that I was told I wasn’t wanted than ‘leaving the panel,’” he told Colm Parkinson.
“He (Jack) just said he didn’t see me having a role to play.
“Yeah, in no more words than that. I actually had the bag packed, ready to go to training that evening. I got a call to meet him behind the Europe and he said it to me."
“I was in a bit of shock at the time so I probably didn’t say too much. I suppose it took a bit of time to adjust. I was getting ready for training that evening and next thing I know, I’m on the road home, didn’t know what to go at for the evening. Look, it was tough, but these things happen. But you just get on with it.”
“A few people got onto me to talk about it at the time. But it was the start of the season. I didn’t want it to be a story then to be honest.”
Burns first came into the Kerry panel in 2018, featuring heavily throughout that season under Eamon Fitzmaurice. He was generally used as an impact sub in more recent years, coming on in their All-Ireland final triumph over in Galway in 2022.
