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11th September 2018
03:45pm BST

'Kieran has been a totemic figure for Kerry since he broke into the team in 2006 and has led from the front since.One line stood out though.
"He book-ended his career by re-energising an ailing group in 2006 and inspiring a new group in 2018.'If that comment from Fitzmaurice would appear to cast that Kerry team that won four All-Ireland's between 2004 and 2009 in a bad light, look no further than the words of Jack O'Connor. The Dromid Pearses man, who led Kerry to three All-Irelands, commented:
'Kieran revolutionised our fortunes against Longford in 2006. He missed the replay against Cork and was back for the Longford game. In the four games before Longford, we scored no goal and in the next four games, we scored 11 goals! We scored four goals against Longford and Kieran was involved in all four, such was his influence. Kieran provided us with a new focus. 'He had a brilliant combination of size, strength, agility and great hands. His basketball knowledge and skill played a huge part in his game.'Fitzmaurice also mentioned Donaghy's return to the Kerry team for the 2014 All-Ireland campaign, which delivered his fourth Sam Maguire triumph, as a true mark of his fighting spirit. To be credited as a driving force for three of his four All-Ireland wins is something many GAA fans will acknowledge and remember him for.
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