IN IT FOR THE LONG PAUL

Age now just a number for Kerry star Geaney

- BY KARL O'KANE

IT USED to grate on Paul Geaney when people kept pointing out his age.

Metaphorically looking over his shoulder for “the new shiny thing coming.”

Once you hit 30, that tends to be the way. 'Retirement Paul, it's over that way. Off you go and let a few of the young lads in.'

For the record, he is 34 now.

Geaney made his Kerry debut in 2011, playing in one League game, but only featured once more in League and Championship over the next two seasons.

He made his big breakthrough in 2014 as the Kingdom landed an All-Ireland title.

This is his 15th season — his 12th as a regular — and with the form he's in there's no reason why the Dingle publican might not go on for a bit longer again.

That poise in front of goal that saw him net Kerry's goal in the 2023 All-Ireland final defeat by Dublin is the kind of quality that few possess under immense pressure at the highest level.

Jack O'Connor has always been a fan and continues to be one. “People are very keen to be pointing out my age all the time,” says Geaney.

“It used to grate on me there a small bit but I've come to the conclusion that it's probably just the human condition to be looking at age and kind of say, 'When's the end? What's the new shiny thing coming?'

“It's been more like, how can I be least disruptive to my family of three kids — and work as well. So I've been taking it one season at a time because of that.