Ó Beaglaoich targets League return for Kerry
Kerry LGFA star, Caoimhe Evans, Kerry footballer, Brian Ó Beaglaoich, and Comórtas Chairperson, Pádraig Óg Ó Sé, pictured at the launch of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé 2026 while taking in the views at Dooneen Pier, overlooking Smerwick Harbour and The Three Sisters on the Dingle Peninsula.
By John Harrington
Kerry defender, Brian Ó Beaglaoich, hopes to be back in action with the Kingdom before the end of their League campaign.
The dynamic defender has been nursing a calf injury for the past few weeks and played for An Ghaeltacht in their AIB All-Ireland IFC Final victory over Glenullin despite not being able to train since they won the Munster Final.
Calf injuries are nothing new to Ó Beaglaoich who has had to carefully manage recurring injuries in the lower leg muscles for a number of years now.
“It's both calves,” says Ó Beaglaoich. “You're asking what's it down to, I wish I knew. It would be easy to stop then. Even the physios and doctors don't really have the answers either.
“It just keeps happening. It's kind of a strange one because it keeps happening in December/January. It's probably to do with the softer ground maybe. It's probably the longer pre-season runs. The plan this year was to tailor my training for pre-season. Then the club kind of happened. I'll be doing my own block of pre-season in the next few weeks.
“We are going to be tailoring my training a small bit, just with the calf in mind. It is a frustrating one. It comes out of nowhere. It doesn't tighten up or anything, it just happens. It's part and parcel of the game. This has happened in the last four years now in December and January. I suppose the other side of it is probably the best time of the year to get injured rather than getting injured in the middle of the summer.
“Any injury in the summer you're cutting it tight, especially with the tight schedule. It's just part of it now. I just need to rehab it well now and make sure it's fully right before heading back to full training.”
By now Ó Beaglaoich is very much back in inter-county mode and fully focused on getting his body right for the latter rounds of the League, but the warm glow of satisfaction is still there after An Ghaeltacht’s All-Ireland success.
“It's special, because you rarely get the chance to play in Croke Park with your club which probably won't happen to me again,” he says. “So, you really enjoy the days, especially up there with the club.
“I was playing with my brother and my best friends from pre-school all the way up. It is different to inter-county. You do realise it is a very special thing. People crying in the stands and people are just absolutely delighted after the game. It is special that way.
“We really enjoyed it, we had serious craic for the four or five days after. It was great having the group together but once those few days are over, your mind switches. I'm trying to get ready for pre-season and looking ahead to Kerry. It is probably just the nature of the calendar. Once one thing finishes, you're looking ahead to the next thing.”
Brian Ó Beaglaoich of An Ghaeltacht in action against Luke Kelly of Sallins during the AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship semi-final match between An Ghaeltacht of Kerry and Sallins of Kildare at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.
Ó Beaglaoich’s take on Kerry’s first round Allianz Football League win over Roscommon was that the performance wasn’t great but the result under the circumstances was.
The Kingdom will be going all out to retain their League title because such is the condensed nature of the inter-county season now that you can’t afford not to have a good head of steam coming into the championship.
“I think it's different from years ago when the league was used to prepare for championship,” says Ó Beaglaoich.
“But when the championship starts so soon after the league, you need to be in a bit of form going into championships. It is very important. especially with the new rules - we still call them the new rules.
”I don't think anyone has properly figured them out yet so these games give teams an opportunity to learn more from the rules. You are probably taking big learnings from every game there.
“It's a good opportunity to learn and put a good foundation down for the championship. But I think the aim is always to go out and win it.”
Finding a couple of new players during the League who could make an impact in the championship would be an added bonus, and Kerry certainly look like they have a very promising candidate in Tomás Kennedy.
Tomás Kennedy of Kerry celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Kerry and Roscommon at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile.
He scored the winner against Roscommon last weekend and finished the game with a personal haul of 1-3 from play.
The 19-year-old is a serious physical specimen as well as being an accurate finisher and Ó Beaglaoich is excited to see what sort of player he’ll develop into.
“He is a serious prospect,” says Ó Beaglaoich. “He only came in there after he did his Leaving Cert last year. He was making the championship panels a few weeks later, which shows the quality he has.
“You could see straight away when he did come in last year the quality he has. He looks like he has filled out another bit this year. He has gymed very well over the winter. He looks like he has put on a good size.
“He is a serious athlete. He has a serious pair of hands and very skilful. He definitely has a big future ahead of him. He is only 19 and the size of him is frightening."
The 37th edition of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé will take place across the Dingle Peninsula from the 20th to 22nd February and feature clubs from 13 counties and four provinces.
