One of the greats of the game

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Mike Frank looks like he’s calling it a day, respect where its due, he was unmarkable in his pomp, and one of the only players to hold every medal available in his code, but I could be wrong on that.

Russells Kingdom career looks to be over
By Tony Leen, Jackie Cahill and Michael Ellard

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

MIKE FRANK RUSSELL has opted out of Kerrys Championship plans for the rest of the season, all but bringing to an end an inter-county career which produced five All-Ireland senior medals with the Kingdom.

The 31-year-old Killorglin man says he will concentrate on his club Laune Rangers for the rest of the year, but insisted there may still be a return to inter-county colours in 2010.

However, that looks a long shot at this stage, with Russell more and more a peripheral figure over the last couple of campaigns.

However, that doesnt diminish his impact for the county over the last 12 years since he burst onto the scene as a teenager in 1997, when Kerry put a barren 11 years behind them to claim their 31st All-Ireland title against Mayo.

Russell scored a key goal in the semi-final that year against Cavan after being introduced as a substitute. He was a central figure in Kerrys All-Ireland success against Galway three years later, and won an All Star in 2000 for his efforts. He also won All-Ireland medals in 2004, 06 and 07.

Russell won two All-Ireland U21 medals with Kerry, and has the rare distinction of scooping a clean sweep of All-Ireland medals by the time he was 21 minor, Under 21 and senior with Kerry, All-Ireland club with Laune Rangers and All-Ireland colleges with Intermediate School, Killorglin.

http://www.examiner.ie/sport/gaa/russells-kingdom-career-looks-to-be-over-94824.html#ixzz0JKhSodUu&D

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What i can’t understand is how it took 3 of them to write that.

MF is a good bloke, excellent player as well.
I would never have thought he was unmarkable though.

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[quote=“caoimhaoin”]What i can’t understand is how it took 3 of them to write that.

MF is a good bloke, excellent player as well.
I would never have thought he was unmarkable though.[/QUOTE]

On his day he was untouchable, its been a while mind you, but later teens early 20’s he was good for 0-4 or 0-5 a game. Capable of kicking off either foot he used to tie lads up in knots.

I cut out other bits out of it regarding hurling etc etc, hence why there were 3 bylines.

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This clean sweep thing is shite,he never won a Sigerson Cup medal or an inter firms.

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I’m pretty sure he has a Sigerson and the Inter firms. Let me do some research.

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Tisnt a bad haul all the same… :wink:

Intercounty

All Ireland Seinor Championship 5: 1997,2000,2004,2006,2007
All Ireland U21 Championship 2: 1996,1998
All Ireland Minor Championship 1: 1994
Munster Seinor Football Championship 8: 1997,1998,2000,2001,2003,2004,2005,2007
Munster U21 Football Championship 3: 1996,1997,1998
Munster Minor Football Championship 1: 1994

Club

All Ireland Seinor Club Championship 1: 1996
Munster Seinor Club Championship 1: 1995
County Seinor Football Championship 2: 1995,1996
County Minor Football Championship 1: 1995

School

All Ireland Colleges Hogan Cup 1: 1996
Munster Colleges Corn U Mhuir 1: 1996

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[quote=“myboyblue”]Tisnt a bad haul all the same… :smiley:

Intercounty

All Ireland Seinor Championship 5: 1997,2000,2004,2006,2007
All Ireland U21 Championship 2: 1996,1998
All Ireland Minor Championship 1: 1994
Munster Seinor Football Championship 8: 1997,1998,2000,2001,2003,2004,2005,2007
Munster U21 Football Championship 3: 1996,1997,1998
Munster Minor Football Championship 1: 1994

Club

All Ireland Seinor Club Championship 1: 1996
Munster Seinor Club Championship 1: 1995
County Seinor Football Championship 2: 1995,1996
County Minor Football Championship 1: 1995

School

All Ireland Colleges Hogan Cup 1: 1996
Munster Colleges Corn U Mhuir 1: 1996[/QUOTE]

Its not too bad at all,an Inter firms would have been the icing on the cake though:D

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I’ve played some inter firms hurling, no place for any of the games artists! :smiley:

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I’m almost sure he won a sigerson with tralee in 98’ , registered on one of them made up courses, and i 'd say he has an inter firms with the bank too…

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I thought that as well, but I cant seem to find mention of it anywhere, might do some more research into it.

edit

Yep, a Sigerson in 96 with Tralee IT.

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A good player but lacked the longevity to be called a great in my book, struugled to get his game with Kerry for the past 3 or 4 years…

On a somewhat related topic, I see Kerry Colleges are competing in the Harty Cup this year

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I’d argue that in any other county he’d be a fixture on the team still, but in Kerry they had others to come in and out. His medal haul deserves respect.

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Wouldn’t get near the Galway full forward line so shove that up yer arse ya bitch.

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:smiley:

Good ol Savo eh…

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[quote=“The Puke”]A good player but lacked the longevity to be called a great in my book, struugled to get his game with Kerry for the past 3 or 4 years…

On a somewhat related topic, I see Kerry Colleges are competing in the Harty Cup this year[/QUOTE]

I’d agree with Puke on this, always liked him as a player but he was never really indispensible to the Kerry team. For 3 or 4 years he was outstanding but just never took that step up to be considered as one of the Kerry greats.

He’s still only 31 though, what does he work at? I’m sure JP could arrange a job for him in Limerick :smiley:

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great footballer…had mastered all the football skills needed but his lack of pace held him back…nothing else…ball in hand there were few better…

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His ability to points from any where off either foot was amazing. Iw oudl argue lack of pace knocked about when the injuries came.

He’s in a bank I believe in Killorglin.

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[quote=“myboyblue”]His ability to points from any where off either foot was amazing. Iw oudl argue lack of pace knocked about when the injuries came.

He’s in a bank I believe in Killorglin.[/QUOTE]

Loads of banks in Limerick, bring him on.

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MFR = Minge Faced Rat

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:D:D