Everyone sat in awe of Eamonn Fitzmaurice's ruthlessness during his first two years in the job. No profile piece was complete without an admiring reference to his terrifying ruthlessness.
However, there had been suggestions he has mislaid this ruthlessness in recent times. The ageing nature of the Kerry squad is causing some disquiet.
Today, the Irish Examiner report that he dropped five players from his 2016 panel, including the captain in 2014, Kieran O'Leary.
O'Leary was only introduced in injury time in that year's final and jointly lifted Sam with starting captain Fionn Fitzgerald. He has been released back to club Dr. Crokes with whom he's won numerous Munster club titles but as yet no All-Ireland.
Other figures released include Jack Sherwood, Pa Kilkenny, Aidan Walsh and Paul O'Sullivan.
Last week, Tommy Walsh, who played just thirteen minutes in the championship last season and has started only three League matches since returning from Australia, opted out of the panel for this year, presumably frustrated at his lack of playing time.
Earlier today, Stephen Rochford cut six players from the Mayo panel, including long-time corner forward Mickey Conroy. Mark Ronaldson, Mickey Sweeney, Shane McHale, Neil Douglas and Danny Kirby have all been released.
They play in Ruislip in three weeks time.
When James Horan travelled there with Mayo for his first championship match in charge, they were taken to extra-time. An inauspicious start but his boys took wing shortly after that.
