County Championship

Aidan O'Shea - Son of the Legendary Jacko

December 2nd, 2008
by Weeshie Fogarty

 It's the most asked question whenever football legends are discussed. Who was the greatest player of them all? Impossible to answer that query as all the greats wrote themselves into the pages of history thought-out different decades and the game continues to evolve and change as the years speed by. Nevertheless it's an undisputable fact that Kerrys own Jack o Shea was one of the greatest players of all. His honour laden career speaks for itself. And one of his greatest assets which is the hall mark of all legendary sports champions were his" nerves of steel". The bigger the occasion the greater the South Kerry man responded. One of the most abiding memories which I can vividly recall in my minds eye is that of the Kerry team parading around Croke Park prior to those All Ireland victories by Mick o Dwyer's record breaking team. And there in the middle is Jack o Shea. Sauntering around as if he was taking an afternoon stroll on Ross Bay beach and he without a care in the world. Remember that big smile on his face as he scanned the thousands sitting in the Hogan Stand hoping to pick out and wave to some members of his family or friends. "I always loved the pre match occasions" he once told me in an interview.  "No I never felt nervous". Those nerves of steel. Would anything on the field of play unnerve the legendary mid-fielder?

Last Sunday Jack o Shea sat in the Dr Eamonn o Sullivan stand in Fitzgerald Stadium as the concluding stages of that thrilling and dramatic county final unfolded before him on the lush green sward. "I was sitting directly opposite the 45 meter line near where the old dressing rooms recently stood", he told me when I spoke to him following the final whistle. In the opening half he had seen Mid Kerry kick a succession of terrible wides as they failed to penetrate the swarming Kerins o Rahillys defense. The Tralee men had jumped into an early three point lead as once again Micheal Quirke was the dominate force in the middle of the field. (My player of the entire championship). The winners hit back and were happy to go to the temporary dressing rooms in the stand level at the short whistle 0-3 points each. The second half was packed with drama and excitement and whilst the game was not as good as the drawn encounter for neutrals it was griping stuff indeed. And remember we are only weeks away from Christmas and it has been a long, long year for all these players. Darren o Sullivan came to the 40 and we saw some penetrating scintilling runs from the Glenbeigh/Glencar man. The big difference between the sides now began to develop as Mid Kerry were winning huge amounts of breaking ball around the middle of the field. This for me is a sure sign that one side is that little bit sharper than their opponents. And Ciaran Kelleher, Garry Sayers, Darren and Sean O Sullivan were all first to dive in as the ball broke from the high fielders. Tommy Walsh was the greatest treat at this stage to James Sheehan's men and his superb point in the 15th minute had the side's level again. Darren careered through for an inspirational point as the Rahillys defenders seemed to have him covered from all angles. Declan Quill raised another white flag as Tommy Walsh was fouled. Even Stephen again.

Ten minutes to go and Jacko must have been saying to himself," id love to be out there now". However his two fine young sons were. Kieran on the bench waiting for the call and Aidan at full back for Mid Kerry. Now the unwritten script began to unfold. Aidan left his full back duties and sauntered up field to kick a magnificent point from the side line under the Michael o Connor Terrace. It was a carbon copy of that magnificent point Brian Moran had kicked for The Narries to equalize the game two weeks before hand. Mid Kerry were ahead and looking good. However the blues have proved one thing this year and that is they never give up no matter what the odds. Jack o Connor has this instilled into them more than anything else. Declan Quill had been on the periphery of the action throughout the afternoon but now when the need was greatest he stepped up to the mark and he lofted over two memorable points from far out the field. Gaining possession he swiveled on the right foot and with the left split the posts twice in quick succession. Kerins o rahillys were ahead by a point. Then we saw David Moran extend the lead from a side line kick which would do justice to Maurice Fitzgerald, Mick o Connell or Mickey Sheehy. Yes it was that good. The green numbered automatic score board in the back ground now shone out in the gathering gloom, Kerins o rahillys 0-9, Mid Kerry 0-7. The game had moved into injury time. It all now depended what excellent referee Padraig o Sullivan's from Firies would add on as additional time. Mid Kerry looked well and truly doomed.

But one thing James Sheehan has instilled into his side is, "do not panic and play controlled football until the final whistle". This mind set was eventually to prove the ultimate deciding facture as the game sped to his final minutes. In one last desperate attack they swept down field in a close All Black like passing movement. Their momentum found sub Ian Twiss at the end of the move inside the losers large square. Rahillys wing fordward John o Connor was back helping his defense and in desperation his arm appeared to halt the Mid Kerry mans progress and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. My initial reaction and comment on Radio was that it was a legitimate penalty and closer inspection on video following the game confirmed my suspicions. It would have been far, far easier for the referee to ignore the offence and wave play on. I have often told young referees at seminars that the big brave decisions in games begin and ends in the penalty area. However you must be 101% certain of the correctness of your decision.

Aidan o Shea had been assigned to take his team's penalties. He placed the ball on the spot and stepped back three yards to begin his run up. In the stands his father looked on ashen faced. I couldn't watch" Jacko told me when I spoke to him on the field following the final whistle. "I closed my eyes, put my hands on my face and said a little prayer. There was an almighty roar from the crowd, Mid Kerry followers around me were jumping up and down and I knew then Aidan had found the net". Yes indeed the championship was deservedly going to Mid Kerry as young Mr.0 Shea blasted the penalty straight down the centre as goalie Garry Kissane dived to his right. We have seen some epic clashes these last few weeks all a credit to sportsmanship and the good name of Kerry football. Sport is indeed cruel. Kerins o Rahillys must now find a replacement for the inspirational Jack o Conner. Their future if the brightest of all in this county. They could yet win at least two championships in the near future. Rumors emanating from back West is that An Gaeltaght and Dingle may return to the West Kerry fold. If that happens we are in for some more great days next year. Well done to one and all last Sunday. And to the passionate and typical grass roots manager of Mid Kerry the football obsessed James Sheehan we say well done. It's a long road that has no turning.


Now attention will turn to the captaincy of next years Kerry team. The winners of the upcoming Mid Kerry championship will have the honour of nominating the man to lead the Kingdoms drive to re capture the All Ireland crown. Donncha Walsh, Aidan o Shea, Sean o Sullivan and Darren o Sullivan are all certainties to be on the panel as the league begins and indeed they all might start in a number of these games. One of them will have been nominated by then. It's early days yet and we will return to the question of Kerry captains and captaincy next week and tell the story of the great Kerry captain who stored meat for his beagles in the Sam Maguire cup. This was back in the days when fridges were as scarce as hen's teeth.

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