Having played alongside him for seven years, and having managed the Kerry Under 21s in his initiation challenge match against the senior panel on Tuesday night, Darragh Ó Sé's opinion on the return of Paul Galvin counts more than most.
The 2009 Footballer of the Year returned to the Kerry fold in a behind-closed-doors challenge game against Ó Sé’s team in Tralee last night, scoring 1-1 while lining out back in his customary half forward position.
In a Kerry team made up of those who had not featured in the weekend’s defeat of Dublin, Galvin demonstrated the fitness levels which have allowed him to return to the All-Ireland champions’ panel ahead of round four of the league aged 35.
“I’d be very open minded about how it will all work out,” says Ó Sé. “Eamonn [Fitzmaurice] isn’t going to commit himself to anything and Paul isn’t going to just commit himself - Paul will go into it with his eyes wide open.
“[Last night] it was basically a team we played that hadn’t played at the weekend so lads like Marc Ó Sé and fellas like that who are just looking for game time - but I think he didn’t look out of place, he looked in good shape to be honest with you. He got a few scores.
“It’s a well known thing that Paul Galvin keeps himself in shape, he winters well.”
Galvin follows the likes of Eoin Brosnan and Mike McCarthy in coming out of retirement in recent years to return to the Kerry set-up. Both the aforementioned played prominent roles when repositioned in the Kerry half back line.
It’s unlikely the county or country will sit quietly as Galvin finds his place and role in this Kerry set-up though.
“The one thing I know from playing with Paul is that he is actually very passionate about Kerry football, and Paul wouldn’t make a decision like this without due consideration and if Paul is coming back he is well aware he is putting himself back on the shop window again so from that point of view it’s a big decision for him.
“Himself and Eamonn have discussed this and they’ve spoken about it so I expect them to kind of play it by year, I don’t expect him to be starting games or anything like that, and if it works out it works and if it doesn’t it doesn’t.
“I wouldn’t be saying it’s going to change Kerry’s season and Paul knows that as well - it’s going to be about what he can bring to the table and if he has something to bring then its a win win situation for Kerry.”
