Kevin Cassidy: High stool interview – Tomás Ó Sé

REVEALING…Tomas O Se and Kevin Cassidy covered a lot of ground

MY last high stool interview of 2015 is with the man who set the benchmark for all wing-backs in the modern era. A man I looked up to throughout my whole career and tried to emulate. I can still hear Tom Beag Gillespie, who used to do my shooting practice with me, shouting “Tomás O Sé wouldn’t have missed that one.”

Kevin Cassidy: Tomás, it’s nice to sit down at this time of year to share a pint with you. The book is flying, is it something you always wanted to do or did it just sort of happen?
Tomás O Sé: I never thought about it until I was asked this year to do it. Football is something I love talking about and once Gill and MacMillan were on the same page in terms of what we both wanted, I enjoyed the whole process.

KC: You have taken like a duck to water to the media game and you are a breath of fresh air, did you ever imagine when you were giving out about Brolly and co. on The Sunday Game that you would one day sit alongside them?
TOS: Never, I never thought I would be involved. In fairness it’s an institution. It’s a great programme with some really creative GAA men in charge who trust you and give you free rein. It was something again that I was just asked to do and I love it. It keeps you relevant in terms of what’s happening in the GAA and keeps you involved – it’s a great opportunity.

KC: Tell me an interesting fact that no one knows about Tomás O Sé?
TOS: I’m shy as hell!

KC: Which All-Ireland was celebrated the longest and why?
TOS: It was 1997, definitely because Kerry had not won one since ‘86. It was unreal the support that gathered as the year wore on, they celebrated for months. I was an 18 and on the panel for first time, a baptism of fire.

KC: Even though you are very close when Darragh started to make a name for himself, was there pride or jealousy towards him, or was it a case of wanting to do just like he did?
TOS: (There was) no jealousy whatsoever, I was very proud that he made it and it was brilliant for the family. I just wanted to play minor and u-21 and see what happened, I always wanted to do well.

KC: When the three of you sit down for a pint do you ever argue who was best?
TOS: No never, we let others argue that. We rarely talk about our own football ability or achievements, more about the craic we had really.

KC: Which one of you took defeats the worst?
TOS: It’s hard to say. I can say personally I hated them, we had a fair few big losses. I wouldn’t talk for days, answer no phone and just be in foul form – it could last weeks. You could not right the wrongs until the following year. It would be a seriously long winter. We all took it badly I’d say, but we would not show it either in public.

KC: What is Christmas Day like in the O Se household? Any traditions like Christmas Eve mass, card games or anything like that?
TOS: It’s very boring really. Christmas eve would be lively but Christmas day is all about relaxing and eating and getting the body right for St Stephen’s Day, which is massive back our way.

KC: Does Tomas O Se put the apron on and help out with the turkey? If so what is your job for Christmas dinner?
TOS: No, not really I’m afraid. I am not bad at the cooking but would not dare attempt a turkey, seafood would be more my forte!

KC: I know you are too modest to admit it, but producing three footballers like yourself Darragh and Marc from the one family is pretty incredible, would you put your talents down to God given natural talent or serious hard work and dedication?
TOS: I’m not sure. I would say a mixture of talent, a hunger to play and learn, a county crazy for football and a family mad to play for Kerry.

KC: Did the three of you ever gather every medal and accolade that you all won put them on the kitchen table in your mother’s house and say ‘jez lads we did alright’?
TOS: Our medals are never taken out. I know they are in Croke Park on show at the moment but after that they go back into a plastic bag and into a wardrobe. We know ourselves we have them, that’s enough really.

KC: Apart from the two boys you were particularly close to Paul Galvin. It’s seems a strange mix – a lad from west Kerry and the fashionista, what makes the two of you click so well?
TOS: Ah Paul is a great lad. Despite his fashion interests and success he is one of us, a country boy who has a great sense of humour and dark side to him. We laugh a lot when in his company. He’s a brilliant guy and a great Kerryman. His clothes seem to be doing really well too despite all those that laughed at him, more success to him.

KC: I always knew when I needed a beer and when I needed to be off it, what did you make of the drink ban craze that became part and parcel of the game and did you stick to it?
TOS: I think the world knows that I didn’t stick to them all the time! Look, we were well able to party with the best and we did, but key to everything is that we knew when to put the head down and work, and by God did we work. I think the social side of the game is non existent in comparison to when I played but I think that’s wrong. It does have a place in bonding and allowing the younger lads in particular to blend in more, they always get that bit more confident on a night out.

KC: We had a good session one night in New York and it’s a good job we live in opposite ends of the country as we would be a dangerous combination. If you could pick two guys from any walk of life to head for porter with who would it be and why?
TOS: Roy Keane and Joe Hayes, the former Tipp hurler. If Keano was quiet the other fella wouldn’t be long drawing the fun out of him, what a character!

KC: I remember reading a piece by Darragh saying that one of the best things that happened to him as a result of being a Kerry player was sharing a pint and a song with Paddy Reilly, what was yours?
TOS: I think seeing the world… Dubai, Australia, Thailand, China, South Africa, all over America – brilliant people and great memories.

KC: Describe the GAA in one word.
TOS: Family

KC: Any interest in county management and, if so, what manger if any would you be like?
TOS; I would be interested down the road yes for sure, but not right now. It’s a huge commitment, one I couldn’t give right now. Who would I be like? I’m not sure. I played under great managers and I think if I got a mix of them coupled with my own personality surrounded by a good back up crew things wouldn’t be too bad.

KC: Did you collect jerseys or memorabilia along the way and if so what is your favourite item?
TOS: I swapped jerseys early on in my career but for last 10 years I just kept my Kerry jerseys. It was no disrespect to any other county, I just wanted to keep the Kerry ones. My son now has a nice collection. My favourite one? I don’t have a favourite to be honest.

KC: Where does Tomás O Sé want to be in 10 years time?
TOS: Still involved in the media hopefully, involved in the GAA – the greatest organisation in the world. And who knows maybe managing a team I love…

Thanks Tomás I enjoyed that I’ll book the taxi and we’ll head to see if we can get a hold of this Keano fella. Bliain úr faoi mhaise daoibh go léir!
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