Tomás Ó Sé (; born 21 June 1978) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer. He played Gaelic football with Nemo Rangers and at senior level for the Kerry county team from 1998 until he retired in 2013, playing predominantly in the half-back line. In one of the most decorated careers in Gaelic Games, Ó Sé won 5 All-Ireland titles, 10 Munster titles and was Footballer of the Year in 2004. His brothers Darragh and Marc too played Gaelic football and represented Kerry at the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship.
In retirement from playing he became an analyst on The Sunday Game. He also became involved in the Offaly county football team, under the management of John Maughan.
Playing career
Club Born in Ard an Bhóthair, Ceann Trá, County Kerry, Ó Sé played his club football with his local club, An Ghaeltacht, and made his debut with the club's senior team in the mid-1990s where he soon became an ever-present fixture in the half-back line.
In 2000, An Ghaeltacht reached the final of the county senior championship for the very first time. Ó Sé's side were the red-hot favourites but their opponents Dr Crokes took charge. A hard-fought 1–4 to 0–6 score line resulted in defeat for An Ghaeltacht.
In 2001, an Ghaeltacht regrouped and reached a second consecutive county final with Tralee-based club Austin Stacks providing the opposition. Ó Sé's side were well prepared. A conclusive 1–13 to 0–10 victory gave Ó Sé his first county winners' medal.
An Ghaeltacht surrendered their club title in 2002; however, the following year Ó Sé's side were back in the county championship decider. Laune Rangers were the opponents on this occasion; however, the game ended in a 0–10 apiece draw. The replay a fortnight later was a much more conclusive affair. A 0–12 to 2–4 score line gave an Ghaeltacht the victory and gave Ó Cinnéide a second county winners' medal in three years. This victory allowed the club to represent Kerry in the provincial club championship. A successful campaign saw Ó Sé's side reach the provincial final against St Senan's of Clare. A close game developed, however, the Kerrymen held on in the end to secure a 1–8 to 1–6 victory, giving Ó Sé a Munster club winners' medal.
An Ghaeltacht continued their march in the All-Ireland series and on St. Patrick's Day 2004 played in the All-Ireland club championship final. Caltra from County Galway, provided the opposition and an exciting game developed. Dara Ó Cinnéide faced the heartbreak of missing a goal in the dying seconds as an Ghaeltacht lost out by just a single point – 0–13 to 0–12.
The following few years saw Ó Sé enjoy little success with the club after the victories of the earlier parts of the decade.
Junior, minor and under-21
Ó Sé first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Kerry junior football team in 1995. That year he captured a Munster title following a thrilling 1–21 to 0–19 victory after extra-time against Cork. Kerry's championship run came to an end in the All-Ireland semi-final, when London narrowly defeated Ó Sé's side by 2–10 to 1–12.
By the mid-1990s, Ó Sé had joined the Kerry minor football team. In 1996 Kerry reached the provincial decider, with Ó Sé as centre-back. Age-old rivals Cork provided the opposition, however, a 3–9 to 2–6 gave Ó Sé a Munster title in the minor grade. A place in the All-Ireland final quickly followed with Laois lining out in opposition. A close game developed; however, Ó Sé's side narrowly lost by 2–11 to 1–11.
By 1997, Ó Sé had joined the Kerry under-21 team and began a successful three-year spell. In his first year Kerry defeated Cork after a replay to take the Munster title. Ó Sé's side were later defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final.
In 1998, Kerry retained their Munster under-21 crown after a 3–10 to 1–11 defeat of Tipperary. Ó Sé's side went one better on this occasion by reaching the All-Ireland final. Laois provided the opposition; however, Kerry won on a score line of 2–8 to 0–11. It was Ó Sé's first All-Ireland under-21 title.
Kerry won three Munster titles in-a-row in 1999 following a six-point defeat of Cork. A second consecutive All-Ireland final appearance followed, with Westmeath providing the opposition. While Kerry were the favourites, the Leinster champions went on to make history by capturing their first All-Ireland title on a score line of 0–12 to 0–9. This was Ó Sé's last game with the Kerry under-21 team.
Senior By 1998 Ó Sé was also a member of the Kerry senior football team, making his senior debut in a Munster Championship game against Cork that year, but he played no part in Kerry's subsequent defeat of Tipperary in the Munster final. Ó Sé's side were later dumped out of the championship by a Mick O'Dwyer–managed Kildare in the All-Ireland semi-final.
In 1999, Kerry were attempting to secure a fourth provincial title in succession, while Ó Sé was hopeful of winning his first on the field of play. Cork put an end to this dream with a 2–10 to 2–4 win over their great rivals in the Munster final. With that Kerry were dumped out of the championship.
After a low point the previous year, Kerry were back in the provincial decider again in 2000, with Clare providing the opposition. In a disappointing match, Kerry heavily defeated 'the Banner men' by 3–15 to 0–8.
It was Ó Sé's first Munster medal on the field of play. Kerry had firmly established their All-Ireland contender credentials, however, the All-Ireland series proved difficult. Ó Sé's side drew with Armagh in the semi-final, while the replay proved just as tense. Again both sides finished level after seventy minutes and it took a period of extra-time to find a winner. Kerry narrowly emerged from that game as the 2–15 to 1–15 winners and to win a place in the Millennium All-Ireland final. Galway provided the opposition in what was their second championship decider appearance in three years. Both sides missed easy chances and seemed apprehensive about taking a lead. Galway trailed by seven points at one stage, but clawed their way back to secure a 0–14 apiece draw. The replay was a much more conclusive affair. Galway worked the ball the length of the field to Declan Meehan who scored a goal to give the westerners a boost. A disputed free with seventeen minutes left in the game gave Kerry a lead which they would not relinquish. At the full-time whistle Kerry were the champions by 0–17 to 1–10. It was Ó Sé's first All-Ireland winners' medal.
Kerry swept through the provincial series again in 2001. A 0–19 to 1–13 defeat of Cork gave Ó Sé a second Munster winners' medal and gave Kerry a boost in their All-Ireland ambitions. In a new innovation called the All-Ireland qualifiers series, Kerry's provincial victory allowed them to advance to the All-Ireland quarter-final. An exciting draw and a replay with Dublin at Semple Stadium gave Ó Sé's side the right to advance to an All-Ireland semi-final showdown with Meath. There was some controversy leading up to the game with new squad member Eoin Brosnan getting the captaincy before the game, despite not yet having established himself as a regular. There was also great debate about the refusal to start the legendary Maurice Fitzgerald, particularly after his performance in the Dublin game. In one of the lowest points ever for Kerry football, Ó Sé's side were absolutely demolished by a score of 2–14 to 0–5.
In 2002, Kerry faced more controversy. The team were forced to play a replay of their Munster semi-final against Cork only a few days after the funeral of the brother of team manager Páidí Ó Sé and father of Tomás, Darragh and Marc Ó Sé. Cork took full advantage and Kerry embarked on a qualifier campaign which saw them account for Wicklow, Fermanagh and Kildare before they trounced reigning champions Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-final before stuffing archrivals Cork in a unique all-Munster All-Ireland semi-final. The subsequent All-Ireland decider pitted Kerry against Armagh in one of the great finals. The first-half saw everything going Kerry's way while Armagh floundered. The Ulster men lost John McEntee to concussion while Oisín McConville missed a penalty just before the interval. As it stood Armagh trailed by four points at half-time while Darragh Ó Sé gave an inspirational performance. A different Armagh team emerged in the second-half. McConville compensated for his earlier miss by scoring a key goal in the 55th minute. Kerry froze after this and failed to score for the rest of the match as Armagh went on to narrowly win their first All-Ireland by 1–12 to 0–14.
Kerry regrouped after this blow and reached the provincial decider once again in 2003. Limerick provided the opposition; however, they were no match for 'the Kingdom'. A 1–11 to 0–9 victory gave Ó Sé a third Munster winners' medal. After an exciting game with Roscommon, Kerry advanced to an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Tyrone. After being shocked in the latter stages of the two previous championships, Kerry were favourites going into the match. The whole team struggled, however, and Kerry looked like they were going to be left behind with the new "blanket defence" that was introduced by teams like Armagh and perfected by Tyrone. Many criticised this tactic as a means of stopping talented footballers like Ó Sé and Colm Cooper from playing but few could deny its effectiveness. A 0–13 to 0–6 defeat saw Tyrone advance to the All-Ireland final while Kerry were unceremoniously dumped out of the championship.
2004 saw Jack O'Connor take over as manager of the Kerry team. Ó Sé's side reached the final of the National League and in an exciting 3–11 to 1–6 victory Kerry claimed the title and Ó Sé picked up a first National League winners' medal. Kerry later booked their almost annual spot in the provincial final and, for the second year in succession, Limerick were the opponents. Surprisingly, that game ended in a 1–10 apiece draw. The replay was also a close-run affair; however, Kerry never really looked in danger of losing. A 3–10 to 2–9 victory gave Ó Sé a fourth Munster winners' medal. The All-Ireland series proved no difficulty for Kerry, and 'the Kingdom' booked their place in the All-Ireland final against Mayo. An early goal from Alan Dillon gave the Connacht men some hope, however, the game was effectively over after twenty-five minutes when Colm Cooper scored Kerry's only goal of the day. The points kept coming from Ó Sé's team and an injury-time Michael Conroy goal was nothing but a consolation for Mayo. A 1–20 to 2–9 victory gave Ó Sé a second All-Ireland winners' medal. He ended the year by collecting his first All-Star award.
In 2005, Kerry were favourites to retain their All-Ireland title. All was going to plan as Ó Sé's side reached yet another provincial final. In a return to tradition, Cork were the opponents. A close game developed, however, in the end Kerry were the narrow winners by 1–11 to 0–11. It was Ó Sé's eighth Munster winners' medal. Following this win Kerry cruised through the All-Ireland series to reach another championship decider with Tyrone providing the opposition. In one of the great finals of the decade, the result remained in doubt until the final whistle. Dara Ó Cinnéide powered the team ahead with a goal after just six minutes. Ó Sé launched the Kerry comeback in the 57th minute with Kerry's second goal; however, it was too late. Tyrone hung on to win by 1–16 to 2–10. It was Ó Sé's second defeat in an All-Ireland final. There was some consolation when Ó Sé picked up a second All-Star award at the end of the year.