The Kerry captaincy may be placing unnecessary pressure on Gavin White, says Marc O Se.
Kerry are one of only two counties, Kilkenny being the other, who persist with the once widespread tradition of county champions having the privilege of nominating the captain of the county team.
White, despite being just 22 and only having made his Championship debut last year, is skipper by virtue of Dr Crokes’ county title win last year and was the only player from the club in the matchday 26 for the drawn All-Ireland final.
White struggled with Jack McCaffrey at times during the game and when asked if captaining the team at such a young age could be weighing on him, O Se replied: “I think so, possibly.
“Possibly, it depends on the character of the man. It’s a huge debate down in Kerry for years.
“Kilcummin won the county championship in 2003 and Mike McCarthy - one of the best players I played with in the Kerry full-back line - he was the captain in 2003, but never opened his mouth in the dressing room. He was just quiet.
“He was just a quiet man, he did his talking on the field. It was the likes of Darragh and Seamus Moynihan who were doing all the talking.”
O Se added that White playing at wing-forward rather than his more natural position of wing-forward may be a factor also.
“We’ve seen years where it’s driven fellas on, wanting the Kerry captaincy, and doing well in the county championship. It’s a hard one.
“White was an All Star nomination last year. We have to think like, he is out of comfort zone.
“He is playing wing-forward, did very well against Mayo at wing-forward, but he is a defender.”
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