Kerry have announced the retirements of Adrian Spillane and Stephen O'Brien from inter-county football.
The announcement was made by Kerry GAA in a statement released on Saturday afternoon.
Both O'Brien and Spillane are All-Ireland winners with the Kingdom, and their departure was bemoaned by manager Jack O'Connor on Saturday.
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Pair of Kerry stars step away from inter-county football
Making his debut in 2014, Stephen O'Brien was an All-Ireland winner in his very first season with Kerry.
21 September 2014; Stephen O'Brien, Kerry, in action against Odhrán Mac Niallais, Donegal. GAA Football All Ireland Senior Championship Final, Kerry v Donegal. Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE
The Kenmare Shamrocks man started at wing forward in both the 2014 final victory over Donegal and the 2022 win against Galway. He also featured in the 2015, 2019 and 2023 All-Ireland final defeats to Dublin.
O'Brien steps away from the Kerry panel at the age of 33, having made over 100 appearances in green and gold across league and championship.
Adrian Spillane, meanwhile, has spent six years with the Kerry senior panel since making his championship debut in 2019. Like O'Brien, he won an All-Ireland medal in 2022, coming off the bench at half-time of the decider against Galway.
24 July 2022; Adrian Spillane of Kerry during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Kerry and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Kerry manager Jack O'Connor said in a statement on Saturday that he was saddened to see Spillane and O'Brien step away from the panel.
Stephen O’Brien and Adrian Spillane will be fondly remembered by the Kerry supporters. They were great team players who always worked hard and they were greatly admired and respected by their teammates.
Both contributed massively to Kerry winning the All Ireland in 2022. They will be sadly missed for their leadership within the playing group.
I wish them both the very best in their retirement.
2024 was a disappointing year for Kerry, who struggled in the National League before suffering a shock defeat to Armagh in the All-Ireland semi-finals.
Jack O'Connor will hope to retain the services of the core members of his panel if the Kingdom are to return to the heights of 2022 next season.
