Having played at the highest level and won All-Ireland SFC medals, Kerry's Aodhán MacGearailt could be forgiven for not thinking too much about today's All-Ireland JFC final, but that is certainly not the case for the An Ghaeltacht man.

Just two years ago, MacGearailt was told that he might never play football again as he needed an operation on his cornea after being told that he may go blind. However, the operation was a success and the former Kerry senior star resumed his playing career with Cork side Ballygarvan.

Then he returned to his native An Ghaeltacht and was enjoying his football once again when he got the call up to the Kerry junior squad, which he was delighted to accept.

The Kingdom are just 60 minutes away from lifting the title and all that stands in their way is Sligo. For MacGearailt, this is a monumental match after a rollercoaster couple of years.

"I got the itch to go back playing with the Gaeltacht this year. I never thought of playing any inter-county football but when I was asked, I said yes immediately," said MacGearailt.

"It was a great opportunity to play for Kerry again. 2006 was my last year playing senior for Kerry, but it's always very special to play for your county at any level.

"Obviously it's not as big as an All-Ireland senior final and a lot of people might not place much store in the junior grade.

"From my own point of view, coming towards the end of my career, I'm just trying to help out. I don't really feel nervous entering this game. It's an All-Ireland final I want to enjoy because I didn't think I'd get the chance to play in one again." Tweet

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