GAA
Tradition can't be discounted in the Kerry football tale
September 27th, 2016Nowadays one would risk being frowned upon if 'tradition' was used as a reason to explain why the likes of Kerry and Kilkenny are so consistently successful in their respective codes. A lot of rubbish talk ... more»
Unique occasion with Tipperary taking on Kerry in Munster Final
June 28th, 2016As Tipperary race on to the green sward of Fitzgerald Stadium next Sunday and coming off possibly one of their most comprehensive victory in Munster football following the defeat of Cork, the first time in over seventy ... more»
My New Book - The Heart and Soul of Kerry Football
June 24th, 2016Over two years of patient work is finally drawing to a conclusion as the final touches are corrections to be more precise are being put to a new publication on Kerry football which I have been working on for over two ... more»
Eamonn Fitzmaurice will have learned very little in win over Clare
June 21st, 2016It was always going to be a very difficult task for Clare, facing Kerry in Killarney in conditions perfect for championship football. A balmy June day, the taste of championship football in the air, big colourful crowd ... more»
Mick o Dwyer At 80 - The Muhammad Ali of Gaelic Football
June 14th, 2016It's one of my favourite Mick o Dwyer stories told by the late great South Kerry football aficionado the late Tom Keane; he summed it all up to perfection when someone once remarked to him at a function how ... more»
Change of minds badly needed for jaded provincial championships
June 7th, 2016And so we begin yet another jaded, unfair and uneven Munster football championship, unknown to ourselves we have become accustomed to the same old story in this province, easy wins for Kerry and Cork in the opening ... more»
Help Anthony Morris fight Lyme Disease
May 24th, 2016Anthony Morris is one of the most passionate Kerry football men you would meet in a day's march, the Spa club man exudes in the greatest possible manner all the passion, pride and hunger which epitomizes all that ... more»
Recollections of the 1959 All Ireland Final
May 19th, 20161959 was a marvellous summer, marvellous in weather, but also because Kerry had qualified for the All Ireland, beating Dublin by 2 points in the semi-final. Galway would be their opponents having beaten an up and coming ... more»
The County Championship shapes and moulds great Kerry footballers
May 10th, 2016And so the race for the Bishop Moynihan Cup commences next weekend, who will be the new Kerry county champions, who will succeed Brian Sheehan as captain? And indeed congratulations to Brian and his new bride on their ... more»
Tommy Walsh - too good, too young and too passionate about Kerry football to finish his inter county career like this
May 3rd, 2016I suppose it would be fair to say when the news broke last week that Tommy Walsh was opting out of the Kerry panel following that latest defeat to Dublin it was not a complete shock as the big Kerins o Rahillys man had ... more»
Groundhog Day for Kerry in Croke Park
April 26th, 2016The one and only crumb of consolation for Kerry supporters and players leaving Croke Park last Sunday was the fact that , "it was only the league", and the championship is yet to come, and as every football ... more»
2015 - Kerry vs Dublin - My 61st Final
April 22nd, 2016As we look back on 2015, I begin to count. 60 years since my first football final in 1955, sitting with my mother in the Cusack Stand. Four finals missed in the intervening years; but four replays attended, ... more»
1955 - Kerry vs Dublin - My First Final
April 20th, 2016This was one of the most famous finals of all. It was the classic city against country clash, the jackeens versus the culchies. Although they had contested the previous two finals, winning one, losing one, Kerry were ... more»
Fitzmaurices men to avenge recent defeats to the Dubs in League Final
April 19th, 2016It's amazing to realise as Kerry approach their big clash with Dublin in next Sundays National League final that in what was one of the greatest ever league finals just a few thousand Kerry fans were present to see them ... more»
Kerry reach first League Final since 2009
April 12th, 2016Kerry turned in a powerful display to crush Roscommon and continue their excellent league form and their rewards is a much awaited final meeting with the all-conquering Dublin machine next Sunday week, Kerry's first ... more»
The Kerry Supporters Club - The Heart and Soul of Kerry Football
March 29th, 2016The Kerry Supporters Club are an intrepid group of men and women, hail, rain or snow they are on the road following their beloved Kerry football teams. In many ways they are a breed unto themselves, a close knit group ... more»
The rise and rise of Kerry Under Age Football
March 22nd, 2016These are exciting and unprecedented times for Kerry underage football, St Brendan's College Killarney are sweeping aside all opposition and have high hopes of making it their third Hogan Cup All Ireland ... more»
Kerry resurgence continues with win over Mayo
March 15th, 2016The Kerry resurgence continued apace in Castlebar last Sunday as Eamon Fitzmaurice's men edged closer to a semi-final place in the league and following the disappointing start with losses to Dublin and Roscommon things ... more»
Kerry defeat Donegal in a bruising encounter
March 8th, 2016October 13th 1956, The Austin Stack Park Tralee, the county football final South Kerry up against Kerins o Rahillys. It was the first time I attended this historic venue and while memories are dimmed with the passing of ... more»
Dub Sub Confidential - One of the best three GAA books I have ever read
March 1st, 2016Dan o Neill is from the Muckross Road Killarney, he works for a public relations firm in Dublin, a great friend of mine his the call came some time ago, "Weeshie you must meet a man, a former Dublin footballer I have ... more»
Tribute to Din Joe Crowley
February 23rd, 2016I was deeply shocked and saddened when Mick Gleeson informed me last Friday 19th that Din Joe Crowley had died suddenly, such an all action wonderful full of life person in many ways he seemed indestructible. Din Joe ... more»
St Marys Caherciveen and Templenoe win the Intermediate and Junior All Ireland titles
February 16th, 2016It was another memorable and historic Kerry football day in Croke Park last Saturday when St Mary's Caherciveen and Templenoe wrote themselves into histories pages as they won the Intermediate and Junior All Ireland ... more»
No place to hide as Dubs hand out a hiding
February 2nd, 2016Croke Park can be a very cruel and unwelcoming place for footballers when things go badly wrong be it in the high summer of championship or under the bright floodlights of a cold hard January night in a league game. ... more»
Renewal of an age old rivalry in Croke Park
January 26th, 2016And so it's a renewal of the age old rivalry in Croke Park next Saturday and while I can't talk for anyone else I certainly never get tired of a Kerry/ Dublin clash be in in league or championship and no doubt both sets ... more»
The North Kerry Championship really is different to all the rest
January 19th, 2016It was the highly distinctive northern accent that caught my ear as I pulled in to the car park at the Bob Stack Memorial Park Ballybunnion for the recent North Kerry football championship final re-play. It stood out ... more»
The Heart and Soul of Kerry Football
January 12th, 2016It's a near impossible task really, to capture in writing the heart and soul of Kerry football, to write down in black and white what has made Kerry the greatest football county in Ireland. What is it, year after year ... more»
Film director J J Abrams would record far greater action at a South Kerry final than on The Skellig
January 5th, 2016In the past I have often written here and praised the sheer passion, intensity and total commitment of players as they strive to win a medal in their own local divisional championships. North, South, East, West, ... more»
Sadness and Gloom over North Kerry
December 29th, 2015"It is with sadness and with the deepest of regret that the North Kerry Football Board, its officers, delegates, our sixteen clubs and all associated with the Board has unfortunately come to learn of the passing of ... more»
Quiet man Johnno did his talking through his actions
December 22nd, 2015A recent trip to Dublin afforded me the opportunity to meet up with and interview at length two of Dublin's star footballers, Jason Sherlock and Alan Brogan. Jason had been a shining star for the Dubs between 1995 and ... more»
Review of Until Victory Always
December 15th, 2015I have just finished reading former Donegal football manager Jim McGuiness's memoir, Until Victory Always. It's a powerful book, emotional, revealing and indeed at times infuriating because throughout the readers can ... more»
Templenoe are what GAA is all about
December 8th, 2015Mallow last Sunday, the Munster junior hurling and football finals, a fabulous GAA complex lovingly looked after by an army of local club volunteers, there were fifty on duty, directing traffic, guiding patrons from the ... more»
Dr Eamonn had a great gift
December 3rd, 2015Dr Eamonn O'Sullivan will be remembered for his work in the whole area of the Gaelic Athletic Association and, of course, like Mick O'Dwyer, for the great number of successful Kerry All-Ireland winning teams he ... more»
The Marys are Munster Intermediate Club Champions
December 1st, 2015A gloomy bleak brooding November day in Fitzgerald Stadium last Sunday, dark clouds pregnant with rain scurrying across the Killarney sky's as St Marys Caherceiveen turned in another power packed performance ... more»
The Long and Winding Road
November 26th, 2015Fifty nine...sixty; the minutes turned to hours, hours to days and days to years as Legion's hopes of a first Senior County title in sixty nine years had to wait for a further twenty minutes of extra time to pass if ... more»
South Kerry prevail in an exhilarating County Final replay
November 24th, 2015Last week previewing the game I reluctantly let my head rule my heart and opted for a South Kerry win over my own club in the re-played county championship final in Fitzgerald Stadium last Sunday and being ... more»
Who holds the cup
November 17th, 2015As the clouds gathered and darkness set in over Fitzgerald Stadium two weeks ago it looked as if Legionnaires hopes of claiming silverware were dimming with the light. With tensions high and every decision contested, up ... more»
Laune Rangers 1892 - The Legacy
November 5th, 2015The All-Ireland Football Final of 1892, played in March 1893, was over. Dublin Young Irelands had defeated Kerry's Laune Rangers by 1-4 to 0-3. The match was over but the controversy was beginning. Reports in Cork ... more»
Laune Rangers 1892 - The Final
November 4th, 2015The first All-Ireland final between Kerry and Dublin was the 1892 final, played in 1893. In those early years, clubs represented counties in the All-Ireland series and Killorglin's Laune Rangers dominated Kerry ... more»
Both South Kerry and Legion can take inspiration from OSullivan
November 3rd, 2015When South Kerry and The Legion race on to Fitzgerald's Stadium next Sunday to decide the destination of the Bishop Moynihan Cup it will be just their second meeting ever in the Kerry county championship. And the last ... more»
Legionnaire in Exile
November 2nd, 2015All roads lead to Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday for the final of the Kerry Senior County Football Championship. Although the distance is greater for the South Kerry masses travelling to Killarney the journey travelled by ... more»
Connie OShea represents all that is good in local GAA
October 27th, 2015Connie o Shea is a Killarney postman, he rises every morning at the ungodly hour of 4 am and heads for his postal depot where he sorts and packs his mail for delivery on his specially adapted postman's bicycle which he ... more»
Legion lions make history on special day
October 20th, 2015The old adage, " it's a long road that has no turning" was never more appropriately applied than for followers of The Legion club when excellent referee Paul Hayes (Kerins o Rahillys) brought proceedings to a close in ... more»
Bruddy was one of the all time greats
October 6th, 2015When Jack o Connor guided his young Kerry lads to a second consecutive All Ireland minor title last month he was following in the footsteps of the late Dr Jim Brosnan who also achieved that distinction with his two ... more»
The experience of Twelve All Ireland defeats since 1955
September 29th, 2015It's been one of those weeks similar to what I have experienced eleven times since attending my first All-Ireland in 1955, eleven times I have witnessed defeated Kerry teams returning home to Kerry, and this year makes ... more»
Kerry are second best to Dublin at the moment
September 22nd, 2015Three championships wins in a row for Dublin over Kerry is a stark reminder that the blues are simply better than us at the moment, you can dress it up whatever way you want and make excuses for these defeats but we are ... more»
An age old rivalry renewed
September 15th, 2015Sixty years ago his year. It was the very first time I attended an All-Ireland final and 1955 would remain forever etched deep in my memory. I travelled to Dublin with some of my boyhood friends including cousins Con O ... more»
Profiles of the Kerry players for the All Ireland Final
September 8th, 2015Brendan Kealy is having a superb year in goal his saves against Cork in the drawn Munster final and against Tyrone in the All Ireland semi-final have played a massive part in Kerry's progress to the final Paul Murphy ... more»
Kerry success being built on tough and tenacious defence
September 2nd, 2015The one thing that has been predictable about Eamon Fitzmaurice and his fellow selectors since they took the reins of this Kerry team is their unpredictability in relation to team selection. Eamon has made it quite ... more»
Defeating Tyrone was a massive boost for football in this county
August 25th, 2015When looking back at Kerry's two superb All Ireland semi-final victories against northern opposition in rain lashed Croke Park last Sunday I feel it is important to put into context the similarities in styles displayed ... more»
Kerrys wealth of experience on the sideline has been the defining element in their All Ireland successes
August 11th, 2015The reverberations following Kerry's stunning display against Kildare in the recent quarter final in Croke Park can still be felt all around the county as the Kerry faithful joyfully discuss and digest the enormity of ... more»
Kerry slaughter the Lilywhites and advanced to an All Ireland Semifinal
August 4th, 2015Kildare were absolutely terrible, Kerry were simply brilliant. That in my opinion sums up this slaughter of the Lily Whites innocents in Croke Park last Sunday as Kerry marched in to the All-Ireland semi-final. No one ... more»
Kerry will win because our mentors will have the players fully ready for the fray
July 27th, 2015As Eamon Fitzmaurice and his selectors continue preparations for the final three game assaults to retain the All Ireland title their main objective will be, as far as possible to send out a settled side next Sunday ... more»
In Memory of My Mother - Mary O'Sullivan
July 20th, 20151918-2014 I went with my mother to my first All-Ireland final in 1955 and sat on her knee in the Cusack Stand. In those days, children could be lifted over the stile with no questions asked. My father walked with us ... more»
Fitzmaurice got his calls just right to the replay
July 20th, 2015It was one of those dark gloomy so called summer days as the rain cascaded down with the towering Killarney Mountains in the back ground completely shrouded in heavy mist. Eleven seconds, that’s all it took to finally ... more»
Kingdom play their get out of jail card in Munster final draw
July 7th, 2015Steeped in luck, should have been beaten, got out of jail, lucky to survive. These are just some of the remarks expressed by Kerry supporters as they left Fitzgeralds Stadium last Sunday. And then on the other ... more»
Pundits write off Corks chances in Munster Final
June 23rd, 2015Well Tomas O Se certainly put the proverbial cat among the pidgins last week and stoked the Cork fires with that outburst in the media about Cork football and I would bet my bottom dollar as the yank said that the Kerry ... more»
Welcome headaches for Eamonn Fitzmaurice
June 16th, 2015As expected Kerrys unbeaten run against Tipperary stretching away back to 1928 continues, but it was not all plain sailing in sun splashed Semple Stadium last Sunday and indeed if the home side had been more accurate ... more»
Tipp will be tricky but All-Ireland is between Kerry and the Dubs
June 9th, 2015One thing is certain as Kerry kick off their championship away to Tipperary next Sunday and that is, the winners will come out of a small group of counties as has been the case for the last fourteen years. Kerry, Cork, ... more»
The Sheehys - brothers with a football pedigree belonging to the purebred class
May 19th, 2015When Sean Og Sheehy climbed the steps of the old Hogan stand in 1962 to accept the Sam Maguire Cup he was walking into history. Sean Og was emulating his legendary father John Joe who had captained Kerry on two ... more»
A conversation with Mick Murphy replenishes the soul
May 12th, 2015It was one of those unforgettable special and unique Kerry sporting occasions which I am fortunate to experience now and again. The venue was The Red Fox Inn just outside the beautiful village of Glenbeigh and the ... more»
Micko magic drove Kerry to greater heights
May 5th, 2015Continuing last weeks story of Kerrys magnificent win forty years ago this year when in 1975 the counties youngest side ever won the All Ireland. Mick o Dwyer took to his new position like a duck to water, he knew what ... more»
Forty years since the birth of the Golden Years
April 28th, 2015Its forty years ago this very year and it seems as if it has passed in the blink of an eye, forty long years since we witnessed the birth of what many shrewd judges recognize as the greatest football team the game has ... more»
League Campaign - a mixed bag
April 7th, 2015And so another league campaign ends for Kerry, it was a real mixed bag for Eamon Fitzmaurice's men, we saw the good, the bad and the very bad as division one status was retained, the main objective. However at the end ... more»
Monaghan Defeat Kerry In Tralee
March 31st, 2015One thing appears to be absolutely sure in relation to Kerry's latest defeat last Sunday by Monaghan and that is Eamon Fitzmaurice's men are a long way behind some counties as regards the amount of training they have ... more»
Phil OSullivans connection with Michael Collins
March 26th, 2015Kitty Kiernan was born in Granard, County Longford and educated in Loreto Convent, County Wicklow.[1] Hers was a very comfortably-off merchant family with five sisters and one brother. Her parents, Bridget and Peter ... more»
The 2014 All Ireland Semi-Final against Mayo in Limerick
March 25th, 2015Dublin to Limerick - 126 miles, seemed a long journey: Limerick to Dublin-126 miles, somehow seemed a much shorter journey. It was Saturday, August 30, 2014. Kerry and Mayo had played a thrilling draw 6 days earlier in ... more»
Kerry beat Donegal in a game which surpassed our expectations
March 17th, 2015I have often mentioned here how I believed Kerry footballers are more skillful and so at ease when in possession of the ball than all other counties, well we have won more All Irelands than all others so there ... more»
Cork are far ahead of Kerry at this present time
March 10th, 2015The biggest mystery for me following that rout by Cork in last Sunday's national league game was what the hell happened to the outstanding form the players had displayed both against Derry and Dublin? Two superb ... more»
Kerry and Dublin never fail to excite and thrill
March 3rd, 2015As always a meeting between Kerry and Dublin be it in league or championship never fails to excite and thrill. And so it was last Sunday in Fitzgerald Stadium we witnessed all the passion, never-say-die spirit and sheer ... more»
Ringy still Hurlings Warrior Prince
February 10th, 2015Christy Ring was born in October 1920, ninety five years ago this year. Winner of eight All Ireland medals, Ring, possibly the greatest hurler to have played the game is commemorated in Cloyne his home village with a ... more»
No surprise with result or performance
February 3rd, 2015It was as many expected, a defeat, Kerry had wintered well, enjoyed their sojourn to those far away places with sounding names and were always going to play second fiddle to Mayo last Sunday in Killarney as the National ... more»
Here we go again back on a wonderful journey
January 27th, 2015And so as the fellow said, "here we go again' another year on the road following the Kingdom on their league campaign. It never gets wearisome, never gets boring or dull but always exciting and stimulating and ... more»
Another PPI Award for Terrace Talk - Sam Maguire Special
January 20th, 2015The Sam Maguire Cup, I first laid my eyes on it exactly sixty two years ago this year. It was 1955 and Kerry had beaten Dublin in a wonderfully dramatic All Ireland final. I was a pupil in the old Monastery school in ... more»
Beale reclaim North Kerry Championship after a 25 year lapse
January 13th, 2015Last Saturday in o Rahilly Park Ballylongford the final curtain came down on the 2014 North Kerry Championship and in what was a magnificent final we witnessed a superb trained Beale side reclaim the title after a lapse ... more»
Review of the GAA Year - a special one for Kerry
December 30th, 2014It has been a truly momentous year in the history of Kerry GAA culminating in that unforgettable day in Croke Park last September, one of the many I have been privileged to have attended during the last five decades or ... more»
Long live the North Kerry Championship
December 23rd, 2014Ballybunion, St Stephens Day, cold, dark, bleak, windy, streets deserted, Bill Clinton's famous bronze statue in golfing pose situated in the centre of the town outside the local Garda Station is bedecked in a Santee ... more»
Art Foley's save against Christy Ring in the 1956 All Ireland Hurling Final
December 9th, 2014Just like the Seamus Darby goal in the 1982 All Ireland final and the Mickey Sheehy goal in the 1978 final when he chipped the ball over Paddy Cullen's head into the net, the Art Foley save in the 1956 All Ireland ... more»
Launch of Tales of New York DVD
December 2nd, 2014Located in the heart of New York's Greenwich Village, Glucksman Ireland House is the center for Irish and Irish-American Studies at New York University, with courses in history, Irish language, literature, music, and ... more»
Declan was an all time great
November 25th, 2014Hurtling along on an underground train under New York City last week the news came through, Declan O Sullivan had announced his retirement. I don't have one of those space age I phones but my friend Christy Riordan C/R ... more»
Memories of Gaffney Duggan
November 11th, 2014The name Gaffney Duggan will mean very little to younger readers of this column but this week I recall with great affection a man who never kicked a ball for his county but was one of the best known and highly respected ... more»
Austin Stacks overwhelm Mid Kerry in County Final Replay
November 4th, 2014The old adage "hunger is the greatest sauce of all" was never more evident than what we witnessed in Fitzgerald Stadium last Sunday when famed Austin Stacks literally swept Mid Kerry away to captured their 12th Kerry ... more»
Cracking County Final ends in a draw
October 28th, 2014It was always going to be a close fought encounter and it certainly turned out that way and in the run up to the game I have rarely experienced such conflicting views as to who was going to take the famous Bishop ... more»
Dermot Earley - An Officer and a Gentleman
October 14th, 2014When Dermot Earley Senior died in 2010 his family outlined the five pointes of their fathers plan for life. 1 Enjoy time with my family 2 Give the best to my work. 3 Give back to my community. 4 Spend my ... more»
Weeshies world just gets better
October 7th, 2014We bid a final sad farewell to a great Killarney Legion man last Friday when Mick o Sullivan affectingly known to his wide circle of friends as "Mick The Gun" was laid to rest. Mick who came from a staunch GAA family ... more»
The Secret of Kerry and the Keepers of the Flame
September 30th, 2014All our imaginations were vividly captured in the run up to the 1953 final against Armagh. The Kerryman, a broadsheet back then gave the impending match great coverage. A special supplement was produced in the weeks ... more»
The apple never falls fare from the tree - profile of James ODonoghue
September 16th, 2014It was the Tuesday following that superb Kerry/Dublin All Ireland semi-final last year, won at the death by Dublin in dramatic fashion. I stopped off at a petrol station on the Muckross Rd Killarney for a top up and as ... more»
Dubious referreeing decisions greatly helped Kerry to victory
September 9th, 2014I have rarely if ever experienced the sheer delight, happiness, pride, euphoria, joy and jubilation which has literally swept the county since that astonishing win in Limerick over Mayo last Saturday week. Now ... more»
One of the greatest displays of Gaelic Football we have been privileged to see
September 2nd, 2014So where to begin? Whenever asked I would always reply that the greatest game of football I had ever seen was the Munster final re-play and extra time in 1976, which coincided with the opening of Pairc Ui Chaoimh. The ... more»
Kerry and Mayo live to fight another day
August 26th, 2014We were expecting a thriller last Sunday in the semi-final and boy did we get one. And to begin as the fellow said, "first things first", and that is a massive thanks to both counties for providing us with one of those ... more»
Kerry and Mayo advance to All Ireland Semi Final
August 5th, 2014As expected Kerry and Mayo advanced to a mouth watering All Ireland semi-final clash in three weeks time and the one common denominator which linked both counties winning displays was very simple. Experience and ... more»
The O Se brothers make history
July 29th, 2014When Marc O'Sé runs out onto the pitch in Croke Park on Sunday next he will complete one of the most remarkable records in the history of the GAA. This will be Marc's 77th senior championship appearance for Kerry ... more»
Comortas Peile John Egan u14 Invitational Tournament
July 15th, 2014The location could not have been more fitting, sitting in the stand in Fitzgerald Stadium gazing out at the vast green expanses where the late John Egan had displayed all his immense range of skills as he starred for ... more»
Kerry leave a trail of devastation in Cork during the Munster Final
July 8th, 2014The demolition teams will move into Pairc Ui Chaoimh in a few week time to tear down this unique old structure which has witnessed some thrilling Munster finals since it first opened its big red gates away back in 1976. ... more»
Last Munster Final against Cork in the old Pairc Ui Chaoimh
July 1st, 2014Mark Anthony's immortal words at the funeral of Julius Caesar. "If you have tears to shed prepare to shed them now" will certainly not apply to Kerry supporters as the exit Pairc Ui Chaoimh for the very last time next ... more»
Championship begins for Kerry in Ennis
June 17th, 2014And so it is, the championship begins for Kerry supporters as Kerry set sail (on the Tarbert ferry) to take on Clare in Ennis next Sunday. As always in Kerry exceptions can be higher than the situation warrants and ... more»
Memories of the 1954 Championship
June 10th, 2014As Kerry prepares to begin their 2014 championship voyage hoping to reclaim the Sam Maguire it surly is an opportune time to remind ourselves of what occurred for three Kerry teams sixty long years ago. And indeed ... more»
The 1891 Hurling Final - The Aftermath
May 29th, 2014On 28 February 1892, Kerry won the 1891 All Ireland Hurling championship, beating Crossabeg of Wexford in a thrilling and controversial final, the only final which ever went to extra time. The Kerry team was composed ... more»
The 1891 Hurling Final
May 22nd, 2014The date - 28 February 1892, the venue - Clonturk Park, Drumcondra, Dublin, the occasion - the All-Ireland Final, the teams - Wexford and Kerry, the sport - hurling. Yes, Kerry were in the All-Ireland Hurling final. ... more»
Kelly has hurlers singing to his hymn-sheet
May 20th, 2014One of the great sports stories in the county this year has been the heart warming success of our senior hurling team. Unbeaten as they became league champions they are still on course for a Christy Ring Cup final place ... more»
Defeat and despair in the early Fifties and the stars of the Forties bow out.
May 15th, 2014Chapter which didn't make it for final inclusion in my book - My Beautiful Obsession. With Kerry still trying to come to terms with the shock defeat to Clare the previous year the same county traveled to Tralee in ... more»
Speaking with Bernard Brogan at the Wings for Life Charity run
May 13th, 2014It's as if you stepped from one world straight into another. Just across the road from St Mary's magnificent Cathedral is The Kings Bridge, cross over this and you leave the hustle and bustle of Killarney town and enter ... more»
Defeat in New York in 1947 and Eddie Dowling's painful memories
May 8th, 2014Chapter which didn't make it for final inclusion in my book - My Beautiful Obsession. Following the drama and heroics of 1946 the following year would prove to be one of the most historic in the history of the GAA ... more»
Failure again in 1948 and I meet Timmy O Leary - Star of the Thirties.
May 1st, 2014Chapter which didn't make it for final inclusion in my book - My Beautiful Obsession. Little did I think that when I took up employment in the Kerry Mineral factory on the Muckross Road Killarney early in 1960 that I ... more»
Jewel of the GAA in North America - Gaelic Park in Chicago
April 22nd, 2014Gaelic Park a glittering jewel in the Chicago Crown. One of the truly great success stories of Irish endeavor in America. At the very generous invitation of the Kerry Association and the board of Gaelic Park my good ... more»
Heaviest defeat of Kerry by Cork in the past 25 years
April 8th, 2014For the big crowd of Kerry supporters who made their way to Austin Stack Park last Sunday for the latest chapter in the Kerry/Cork saga the expectations of a close hard exciting game were on most minds. This of course ... more»
Tribute to Frank OKeeffe
April 1st, 2014Frank O'Keeffe: August 28th, 1923 – March 25th, 2014 One of the last link with the Kerry team that competed in the famous 1947 Polo Grounds match in New York has been broken with the death of Frank O'Keeffe, ... more»
Legion Hall of Fame award for Jimmy O Leary
March 25th, 2014It's seldom if ever I get an opportunity to write about my own club Killarney Legion and when all is said and done the GAA is all about one thing and one thing only, the club. Too often in today's world of the all ... more»
Tribute to Jerry Savage
March 22nd, 2014Grave Side oration By Tom Herlihy A Chairde go léir. I am humbled to be asked to say a few words at the graveside as we say goodbye to a great Irishman, Kerryman, Ballymacelligott man & a great republican. ... more»
Only the League but a vintage Kerry display against Kildare
March 18th, 2014You can always gauge exactly the state of Kerry football if you stop and chat to those die hard Kerry supporters following the counties games both in league and championship. They know precisely when studying the Kerry ... more»
Tyrone given a second half lesson in the skills of the game
March 11th, 2014Speaking to the press after the game last Sunday Mickey Harte's very obvious rage and boiling anger at his side's performance when a rejuvenated Kerry literally blew them off the Fitzgerald Stadium pitch said it all for ... more»
Second straight defeat in the National League to Derry
February 11th, 2014We were back to the swarming game in Fitzgeralds Stadium last Sunday as Derry came, saw and conquered a mainly inexperienced Kerry side and once again we witnessed a northern team frustrating Kerry as they rushed ... more»
In memory of Jim Foley
February 9th, 2014The Foley brothers from Keel. After all these years the phrase still resonates in the mind, reviving memories of a time long since gone when the greats of Kerry football would be discussed on train journeys to and from ... more»
Dublin defeat Kerry under lights in Croke Park
February 4th, 2014Another year on the never ending GAA merry-go-round of league and championship began under the harsh glare of the Croke Park lights last Saturday. A cold, wet February night, an amber weather warning issued for the ... more»
Honouring the stars of East Kerry Football
January 14th, 2014As always sport star awards can be a very subjective topic and my experience of such events is that no matter who is chosen on any given year there will always be mutterings of discontentment. Nevertheless this is ... more»
Celebrating the small rural parish - Asdee GAA Club
January 7th, 2014The smaller the community the greater the spirit. That was the one defining picture that came shining through in the strongest possible way when I had the privilege of been an invited speaker at the St Marys Asdee ... more»
Remembering Kerry Legends of The Past
December 17th, 2013Sixty years ago this year, 1953, Kerry won what was known as their Jubilee All Ireland Final. The contentious story of the captaincy that day still resonates after all these years as does another highly debatable ... more»
Memories of Crokes and Legion in the 1961 ODonoghue Cup Final
December 10th, 2013It's difficult to believe but when The Crokes and Legion line up for the throw in at next Sundays o Donoghue Cup final in Fitzgeralds Stadium it will be the very first time since 1961 these Killarney town rivals have ... more»
Crokes defeat gallant Cratloe in Munster Final
December 3rd, 2013All the drama, thrills and excitement were packed into the second half of this magnificent Munster Club football Final at the Limerick Gaelic Grounds last Sunday and at the end of an enthralling battle played in perfect ... more»
Paidi - A Big Life
November 19th, 2013It was one of those unique, unforgettable and very special Kerry football evenings in The Ballsbridge Hotel Dublin last Tuesday week when the Official Biography, Paidi - A Big Life, was launched by former Taoiseach ... more»
High time to put the International Series to rest
November 5th, 2013Colm Begley is a six foot four, fourteen stone Laois footballer from the Parnell's club. He was a member of the Irish International Rules team which hammered the indigenous Australian side in the two recent games played ... more»
Launch of Forging a Kingdom - The GAA in Kerry 1884-1934
November 1st, 2013Richard McElligott readily admits that he decided to chronicle the early history of the GAA in Kerry to compensate for being the worst underage hurler and footballer ever seen in north Kerry. The result is Forging a ... more»
Review of The Managers - Tactics and Thinkers that transformed Gaelic Football
October 29th, 2013Early last year I was interviewed in relation to new book which would concentrate solely on the managers of inter county Gaelic football teams. The author Daire Whelan lives in South Tipperary, he is also the author of ... more»
Dr. Crokes are County Champions for the fourth year in a row
October 22nd, 2013Whatever slim chance of victory Austin Stacks harbored as the prepared for last Sundays County final against Dr Crokes was well and truly dashed when their management took the decision to play their Killarney town ... more»
Forging a Kingdom - The GAA in Kerry 1884-1934
October 17th, 2013Richard McElligott describes the different aspects of his book - Forging a Kingdom - The GAA in Kerry, 1884-1934. 1) How and why did the book come about, surely this story has been told before? Still a lack of ... more»
Preview of the 2013 Kerry County Championship Football Final
October 15th, 2013Kerry county football final day means a lot of different things for a lot of different people and next Sunday's glamorous clash between the townies should generate a great environment and revive many memories for ... more»
The wind that shook the Farney
October 11th, 2013Source: The Irish Times The Civil War has been on my mind for another reason this week, because among the windfall of autumn books that have fluttered into my mail-box lately is one called Forging a Kingdom: The GAA ... more»
Tomas OSe - A Class Act
October 8th, 2013It was a touch of real class as you would expect from a class act. Tomas o Se announced his retirement last Thursday, but not in a manner that many before him in Ireland announced their "hanging up of their boots". ... more»
Agony of All Ireland defeats continue for Mayo
September 24th, 2013Despite the massive build up for last Sundays All Ireland football final we were never going to witness a spectacle as we had as in the Dublin/Kerry semi final thriller. Games such as that only come along once every few ... more»
The Hight of Madness - Kerrys Greatest Supporter
September 17th, 2013A beautiful new publication which I am convinced will prove in time to be a superb addition the library of Kerry GAA books has just come to hand and while Kerry may not have a September date in Croke Park the launch ... more»
The Croke Cup 1913
September 11th, 2013In this year 2013, we remember 1913, a momentous year in GAA and Kerry football history. Dr Thomas Croke, the association's first patron and key figure in its early years had died 11 years earlier and the GAA was still ... more»
The Kingdom just dont have any luck at the Hill
September 10th, 2013What is it with Kerry and the Railway End goal in front of Hill 16 in Croke Park? You may well ask what in the name of heavens he is on about. Well I have a theory floating around in my head for a long time which ... more»
Kerry vs Dublin - A Game for the Ages
September 3rd, 2013It's an indisputable fact and much more that a coincidence that Kerry have been involved in all the greatest games of Gaelic football played down through the decades. Having seen all those classic matches since the ... more»
Cynical play - Kerry are old hands at it
August 30th, 2013Source: The Irish Examiner The recent controversy concerning Sean Cavanagh has again brought the issue of cynical play in Gaelic games into the national spotlight. Moreover, it is just the latest instalment in a ... more»
Is the semifinal against Dublin a bridge too far for Kerry
August 27th, 2013It's doubtful if ever Kerry has gone into a major championship fixture in Croke park as such underdogs in the eyes of so many people with the exception of course of the die hard Kerry supporters. Well that is the ... more»
Cynical and deliberate fouling in our games
August 13th, 2013The year was 1969, four minutes remaining in the All Ireland football semi-final between Kerry and Mayo. Kerry were literally hanging on to a one point lead by the skin of their proverbial teeth as they defended the ... more»
Kerry don't impress in defeating Cavan in Croke Park
August 6th, 2013That old adage, "hunger is the great sauce" was never more evident than what we witnessed in Croke Park last week-end as both Mayo and Dublin turned in a performance of pace, intensity, brilliance, superb scoring, ... more»
Preview of Kerry and Cavan in the All Ireland Quarter Final
July 30th, 2013The general consensus of opinion following last Saturdays championship draw is that Kerry have got probably the most vulnerable side in the quarter final and really it would be a major shock if Cavan prevented them from ... more»
What a shame it would be to lose the Munster Final
July 16th, 2013While the Kerry seniors victory in the Munster final last Sunday week was greeted with a huge sigh of relief by Kerry supporters every where it has nonetheless been generally acknowledged that it was much too close for ... more»
Kerry and Cork clash once again in Killarney
July 2nd, 2013Next Sunday's Munster final appears to be really challenging the minds of supporters, followers and especially the pundits who delight in forecasting the winner when these two age old rivals clash. In fact I have yet to ... more»
Preview of Munster Final against Cork
June 25th, 2013Already one can sense a great anticipation building up for the age old clash between Kerry and Cork in the Munster final next Sunday week. Indeed with both counties far from being red hot favourites by any means to win ... more»
Time for Tralee to get its slice of the cake
June 20th, 2013Austin Stack Park in Tralee last staged a Munster Senior Football Championship game ten years ago, on June 15 2003, when Kerry hosted Tipperary. The Kingdom won on a 0-25 to 1-10 scoreline. Since then, ... more»
Review of Plassey's Gaels
June 11th, 2013I never cease to be amazed at the continuous nonstop publication of GAA books and other such literature which constantly come to hand as die hard volunteers carry out labors of love attempting to document the various ... more»
Comprehensive victory over Tipperary in the Munster Championship
May 28th, 2013Eamon Fitzmaurice began his championship crusade in fine form last Sunday and while the paucity of the Tipperary challenge has just left a multitude of questions as to where Kerry might stand in relation to a clash with ... more»
Leagues are for playing in, championships are for winning
May 21st, 2013"Leagues are for playing in, championships are for winning," was the truest line in football I have ever heard and why not, it came for one of the greatest Kerry captains ever. John Dowling led Kerry to ... more»
A Dream Comes True as I don the Green and Gold 1959
May 1st, 2013Sunday July 5th 1959 remains indelibly etched in my treasure trove of Kerry football memories because that day on my home pitch of Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney I played for the Kerry minors and donned the famous green ... more»
Johnny Culloty - A lifetime of service to his county
May 1st, 2013"In Dr Eamon's time things were very different than they are now. To day a manager is appointed at the start of the year and fulfills his duties for that year. Not so with Eamon. I remember in 1955 the first All Ireland ... more»
Cork defeat Kerry in the Minor Championship
April 30th, 2013How often have we said in recent years when Kerry and Cork meet at under age level the rebel county players were much stronger, bigger built and much more physical that their Kerry opponents? Fairly often I suggest. And ... more»
GAA Family Silver
April 23rd, 2013A new book which has just come to hand "GAA Family Silver", details the stories and people behind one hundred and one cups and trophies competed for each year at home and abroad. Former Waterford hurler and ... more»
A Trip to Omagh
April 10th, 2013It was the seventh and last League match of 2013, Kerry playing Tyrone in Omagh. We had been to four games, endured rain in Castlebar, snow in Ballybofey, and enjoyed sunshine in Newbridge. We had seen the Old Firm, ... more»
The Kingdom hasn’t gone away you know
April 9th, 2013Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his side line general's will feel very well pleased with themselves following the long trip to Omagh last Sunday and at the end of the day it's a case of mission accomplished, league over, ... more»
South Kerry Gathering of the Clans
April 2nd, 2013The South Kerry Gathering of the Clans under the guidance of the dynamic Joe McGill and his committee hosted a memorable evening in the Waterville Lake Hotel last Saturday and I was delighted to be invited to the event ... more»
Tribute to Brendan Fullam
March 28th, 2013Brendan Fullam the best selling Gaelic games author and a real gentleman was laid to rest in Saint Mary's Cemetery Enniscorthy on Monday 11th February. He was a native of Ardagh but gone from the village since his ... more»
Farewell to Sean Og O'Ceallacháin
March 28th, 2013I was saddened to hear of the passing of Sean Og O'Ceallacháin the legendary Radio presenter on Sunday last 17th February. He was a much loved figure who was admired and respected across the land. His voice was ... more»
Tributes to Bobby Buckley
March 27th, 2013Bobby Buckley – Footballer and Outstanding Educator They came from all over Ireland and in particular from within Kerry and Cork to pay their respects to one of North Kerry's great sons – Bobby Buckley ... more»
Cooper and Galvin return to see off Cork in the National League
March 26th, 2013Kerry's comprehensive win over age old rivals Cork last Sunday was all about collecting the two points so desperately needed as a trip to Tyrone approaches and you could literally sense the apprehension and urgency in ... more»
First win for Kerry in the National League against Down
March 19th, 2013Two invaluable national league points collected last Saturday against a very disappointing Down side will set Kerry up nicely for another as always mouthwatering clash against Cork in Tralee next Sunday. And thankfully ... more»
Kerry meet Cork in the Munster U21 Championship and remembering Paddy Downey
March 12th, 2013No matter what way you look at this under twenty one clash with Cork next Wednesday in Pairc Ui Rinn you will really be just second guessing in relation as to who will come out on top. It is my experience dealing with ... more»
Can Sport improve Leaving Cert. results?
March 8th, 2013Participation in extra-curricular sport while studying for the Leaving Cert (LC) examinations can benefit academic achievement, according to a research article published in the Journal of School Health, American School ... more»
40 Years of On the Ball for The Killarney Advertiser
March 8th, 2013Danny Casey was a voracious reader and back at the start of the 1970s he must surely have read the writings of Jonathan Swift, who said, "Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others," to which one ... more»
Oisín McConville; From Crossmaglen to Gneeveguilla
March 2nd, 2013Oisín McConville; From Crossmaglen to Gneeveguilla Oisín McConville was made a freeman of Gneeveguilla on Friday night last and was presented with the green& gold geansaí of the local GAA club ... more»
The day two Kerrymen played against each other in goals in an All Ireland Final in Croke Park
March 1st, 2013Little did I imagine as I stood on the grassy embankment of the old Cork Athletic ground for the 1967 Munster final between the legendary rivals Cork and Kerry that dramatic events late in the second half would be ... more»
Northern launch of my book and remembering Aidan McAnespie
February 26th, 2013Last Thursday February 21st my travels found me in County Tyrone at the invitation of some great GAA Gaels there. The occasion was organized as a northern launch of my recently published book of memoires, "My Beautiful ... more»
A Kickhams Childhood
February 23rd, 2013The Sundays of my Dublin youth saw me supporting Kickhams GAA team. My father was club secretary and, as a child, I used to accompany him to matches. The club was called after Charles Joseph Kickham, a Tipperary ... more»
Crokes lose to Ballymun in the All Ireland Club Semifinal
February 19th, 2013These are indeed trying times for those fervent followers of Kerry football as a series of defeats in recent weeks have left the proverbial cloud hanging over the county. Those two heavy defeats in the national league ... more»
Weesh-ful Thinking - Fogarty's Beautiful Obsession
February 12th, 2013Every self-respecting GAA fanatic should meet Weeshie Fogarty at least once in their lifetime. The good news for northern Gaels is that they can avail of that opportunity because the Kerryman is coming North. 'An ... more»
Ballybunion mourns the death of Padraic Liston
February 9th, 2013Ballybunion News is sad to report on the death of Padraic Liston, which took place after a long illness, at his home in Cork on Thursday evening. The son of Owen and the late Noreen Liston from Main Street, Padraic ... more»
Kerry fail to score in the second half against Mayo
February 5th, 2013Of course it was a greatly under strength Kerry team that lined out against Mayo in Castlebar last Sunday and excuses can and will be made in relation to this. And it goes without saying that no matter how promising a ... more»
Mayo await in Castlebar for the start of the National League
January 29th, 2013So following last Saturdays McGrath Cup success the shadow boxing is well and truly over and it's now down to the real business of the league against Mayo next Sunday. The league always excites because during this ... more»
Kerry Football Captain Eoin Brosnan Up Close
January 25th, 2013When Kerry play their first NFL game away to Mayo in Castlebar on Sunday next, February 27th at 2.00 pm they will not be led out by their captain Eoin Brosnan. I sat down with him on Monday evening last to interview him ... more»
Sad passing of Portmagee native - Thomas Gerald Murphy
January 24th, 2013Thomas Gerald Murphy was born on April 16, 1938 in Portmagee County Kerry Ireland. He sailed to America in 1958 at the age of 20. He met Mary Teresa McKeon from Tullamore County Offaly in New York and they married ... more»
The Magic of the North Kerry Championship
January 15th, 2013In the 1995 epic and historical film Braveheart Mel Gibson playing the part of William Wallace a 13th century Scottish warrior leaps onto his horse and banishes his sword high into the air urging his men to follow him ... more»
Interview with Tadhg Kennelly
January 8th, 2013Tadhg Kennelly as always, courteous, charming, eloquent, an interviewers dream, no beating about the bush when asked questions. It's always a pleasure to have a chat with the Listowel Emmett's man and following the ... more»
Paidis Funeral Mass
January 5th, 2013It was like a State funeral. Uniformed men in the front row representing the President and Taoiseach, countless priests on the altar, RTE cameras broadcasting the ceremony to the entire country and, via the internet, to ... more»
North Kerry Championship Final ends in a draw
January 1st, 2013If you are a lover of football played in the dark dreary month of December, deep in the depths of winter then Listowel was the place to be last Sunday as Beale and Duagh fought out a thrilling draw in the North Kerry ... more»
Paidi O Se RIP - Cuchulainn na linne seo
December 21st, 2012He trained hard, played hard and the restless spirit lived life at a full and frenetic pace. We thought he would go on forever; he seemed indestructible both on and off the field. But, the Almighty Referee called for ... more»
Memories of Michael O Hehir
December 20th, 2012Last July, I visited Cusack Park, Mullingar, to attend the Kerry- Westmeath qualifier match. Outside the ground, set into the surrounding wall, was a bust of Micheal O'Hehir: underneath was inscribed the words: ... more»
A man who loved his county more than anyone I have known.
December 18th, 2012Paidi O Se. The name invokes a multitude of wonderful memories; he has been part and parcel of my life in many ways for over forty years since I first laid eyes on him. Even now peering back through the mists of time I ... more»
Graveside Oration by Sean Walsh at the funeral of Paidi O Se
December 18th, 2012The Ó Sé family have bestowed a great honour on me by requesting that I speak at Páidí's funeral. I am fully aware, as indeed we all are, that we are mourning the loss of an extraordinary ... more»
Kerry radio legend Weeshie recalls O Sé's tactical ability
December 17th, 2012Just a couple of days ago, Weeshie Fogarty was fingering through his post. The radio presenter and former Kerry footballer recognised the handwriting on one of the envelopes immediately. The letter was from ... more»
Inconsistencies with Refereeing in the GAA
December 11th, 2012Eugene McGee and his Football Review Committee (no mention of hurling), certainly set the tongues wagging and the scribes scribbling furiously when they published the findings last week of their deliberations and ... more»
Dr. Crokes capture their second successive Munster club title
December 4th, 2012Last Sunday was one of those dark, dreary, murky December afternoons, one of those days when it would be normal to have a low scoring game as heavy underfoot conditions should militate to slow down players and make ... more»
The Goal that silenced a Kingdom
December 2nd, 2012It will be discussed for ever more. Kerry people want to forget about it. Offaly people never tire of talking about it. Mick o Dwyer was in tears after it. The county was in a state of shock because of it. It was ... more»
Reviews of 'My Beautiful Obsession' by Fr. Anthony Gaughan
November 19th, 2012This is an engaging account of the life and times of the author. Born in 1941, raised in Killarney, he began his working life in the Kerry Mineral Water Factory. Thereafter from 1962 to 2000, he was a ... more»
Reviews of 'My Beautiful Obsession - Chasing the Kerry Dream'
November 18th, 2012Reviews of the book by some of Weeshie's fans. Loving the book, here are a few of my highlights both happy and sad: really enjoyed reading your radio days even though I missed the beginning of your broadcasting career ... more»
Chasing the Kerry Dream
November 16th, 2012Kerry have always produced great commentators on sport, going back to the days of Paddy 'PF' Foley and stretching to include the great Micheal O Muircheartaigh, Micheal O Se, Liam Higgins, Pat Spillane, Dara O ... more»
The debate over Divisional teams in the County Championship
November 6th, 2012Human nature being what it is and Kerry being the fanatical football county we live in it was really as inevitable as night follows day as soon as Paul Hayes had blown the full time whistle in Dr Crokes stunning display ... more»
Dr Crokes First 3-in-a-row
November 5th, 2012Let's get to the Gospel, specifically Matthew 19:24 "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God". Put that into ... more»
Crokes Win Three In A Row County Championships
October 30th, 2012The old adage, "a good start is half the battle" was never more evident than what we witnessed in Austin Stack park last Sunday as Dr Crokes literally demolished the hopes of Dingle to complete a historic three-in-a-row ... more»
The Clocks went back but Crokes went forward
October 29th, 2012The clocks went back on Sunday last to mark the official introduction of winter time, but it did not deflect Crokes from their mission to continue as Kerry SFC champions, when they proved far too good for Dingle in a ... more»
Scavenging for Jam Jars in a Killarney Dump Pit to buy our first Pig Skin Football
October 22nd, 2012Its as inevitable as night follows day that any young fellow born and bread in Kerry will at some stage of his early development be afforded the opportunity to kick a football and if the desire is there go on and ... more»
Tribute to Pat Ahern
October 16th, 2012A simple phone call last Thursday afternoon October 11th informed me of the death which occurred that morning of my great friends and former Kerry team mate Pat Ahern. It left me with a heavy heart and great sadness ... more»
My Association of Kerry Football Dates
October 9th, 2012Its one of the great symbolisms surrounding Kerry football which I have observed over the years and I can apply it to myself just as easily as I notice it in others. Ask most fanatical Kerry GAA followers, always and ... more»
Experiencing the All Ireland Hurling Final
October 2nd, 2012My sports editor requested my column should deal with last week's Kerry county championship program of matches. No problem there I thought and eagerly looked forward to attending the four games down for decision. ... more»
The most decorated and successful Kerry hurler of all time
September 11th, 2012So who is the most decorated and successful Kerry hurler of all time. Impossible of course to say with any degree of certainty as there has been many. However when a list of great Kerry born hurlers is drawn up some ... more»
The face of Gaelic Football has dramatically changed
September 4th, 2012A picture speaks a thousand words. Entering the last ten minutes of the recent Cork/Donegal All Ireland football semi final the northern men were six points ahead and literally coasting to their first final in twenty ... more»
Kerry Juniors All Ireland victory was a breath of fresh air
August 28th, 2012The Kerry juniors superb All Ireland win over Mayo, 0-19 to 1-7 in Ennis last Saturday was for me in many ways simply, a breath of fresh air. Firstly Sean Moynihan the manager and his sideline generals must be highly ... more»
Fitzmaurice is perfect fit
August 21st, 2012The old adage "familiarly breeds contempt" might well be one of the reasons Jack O'Connor decided recently to step back from the Kerry job for the foreseeable future, back to his home in the quietness and ... more»
Con Houlihan RIP; Fear ann fein
August 10th, 2012I heard of Con Houlihan's death on Saturday last and immediately looked to Carrauntuohil.; the commonality of Ireland's highest mountain and Ireland's greatest sportswriter. The mountain was gone, but later in the day, ... more»
Roads, Roundabouts and a Football Sculpture
August 10th, 2012As you drive into Tralee, at the Clashlehane roundabout, an unusual sculpture meets the eye-men leaping for a football. This is Kerry, this is a Gaelic football scene. Four figures, two on the alert as two others go ... more»
Spotlight on Con Houlihan
August 9th, 2012Éamonn Fitzgerald Visits Con Houlihan; Fear ann féin Dublin has a special attraction for me; very regular journeys to Croke Park for well over half a century has been part of it. Less regular, but ... more»
We do have a problem with Ulster teams
August 7th, 2012I may be in a minority of one here, but from where I stand it's now a proven fact that, despite many arguments to the contrary, our county senior football team has serious problems attempting to beat Ulster teams in ... more»
Tribute to Con Houlihan
August 6th, 20121925 - 2012 Con Houlihan was often considered one of Ireland's finest writers and left behind a legacy of immense sports journalism that spanned over 60 years. Over a lengthy career, Houlihan covered many Irish and ... more»
Long-range scores holds the key to unlocking Donegal
July 31st, 2012LET'S get the negatives out of the way first. Yes, Clare were very disappointing and were never at the races last Saturday evening. To put their display into context in relation to previous meetings between the counties ... more»
Kerry's best performance in Killarney since 1955
July 24th, 2012WHATEVER destiny awaits this group of Kerry footballers as they inch nearer Croke Park during this rain sodden summer their stunning victory over Tyrone last Saturday will be remembered when much more is forgotten ... more»
Kerry's great escape from Mullingar
July 17th, 2012No matter what way you look at Kerrys great escape from Mullingar last Sunday its obvious to even the most die hard Kerry supporter that this team is not moving well and who would have believed we would wait ... more»
Tribute to Tim Foran
July 12th, 2012Tadhg and Bridget Foran brought 4 children, Mary, Tim (Timmy as he was known locally), Jimmy and Noreen into the world in the townland of Tiershanahan on Kerryhead near Ballyheigue. While Mary, Jimmy and Noreen ... more»
Preview of the All Ireland Qualifier against Westmeath
July 10th, 2012No matter what way you look at next Sunday's qualifier Kerry/Westmeath everything points to a Kerry win and another step along the road of redemption following last years traumatic defeat by Dublin in the final. And ... more»
Kerry face Westmeath in the Qualifiers
July 3rd, 2012What significant has May 11th 1969 in relation to Kerrys forthcoming trip to Cusack Park to take on Westmeath in the qualifiers. Well to the best of my knowledge it was the only time the two counties have met in a ... more»
Tribute to Padraig Murphy
June 30th, 2012Born in Camp, Tralee he attended Camp National School where his father, Jackie Murphy, was the principal teacher and the powerhouse in the fostering and development of the G.A.A. in Camp and in general, West ... more»
A Polo Ground great: Eddie Dowling will be missed by all
June 27th, 2012I stood at Eddie Dowling's graveside last Wednesday in the beautifully kept Gale graveyard halfway between Listowel and Ballybunion. It was a poignant moment, the end of an era, another sad break with Kerry's past, ... more»
Eddie Dowling Eulogy
June 21st, 2012A chairde, Inniu, taimid bailithe anseo i Reilig na Gaille chun slan a fhagail le laoch mor peile, Eddie Dowling. Togha fir, gan dabht faoin speir. Today, we gather here to bid farewell to a sporting great, ... more»
Poignant letter written by Kerry Footballer Jack Murphy in 1926
June 20th, 2012Historic letter written by Kerry Footballer Garda Jack Murphy following the 1926 All Ireland Drawn Final. He died before the replay. Our thanks to his great grand nephew Joe McGill for allowing us to make it available ... more»
Defeat to Cork and the long road through the Qualifiers beckons
June 12th, 2012It was always going to be a massive task travelling to Cork last Sunday and when Brian Sheehan was declared unfit during the previous week it really made the job much more difficult. One of the top free kickers in the ... more»
Preview of the Munster Semifinal against Cork
June 5th, 2012Three weeks ago before a ball was kicked in the championship I mentioned here that in my opinion Cork would be favourites against Kerry in the Munster semi final. Well nothing has changed in the intervening weeks to ... more»
Trip to Tipp presents ideal Championship opener for Kerry
May 22nd, 2012IT goes without saying that a convincing Kerry victory and nothing short of this will be expected as the Championship campaign begins in Thurles against Tipperary next Sunday. Nevertheless, irrespective of who you ... more»
Life, Death and Hurling
May 12th, 2012Michael Duignan, RTE analyst and former Offaly hurler, is the first GAA man from that county to write an autobiography. It is not your typical GAA story, it is more than a tale of matches lost and won, of highs and lows ... more»
Cork to win the 2012 Munster Championship
May 8th, 2012The most frequently asked question from my perspective as I travel around the county and beyond is one that that has always come up around this time of year, "will Kerry win the All Ireland""?. The league is ... more»
Here's the rule book, that's the rule, did you apply it?
May 6th, 2012THERE are no cloven hooves visible on the GAA referees' assessor as he steps into the room and no hint of guilt for being the tightest and most unpopular marker in league and championship. He turns out to be ... more»
Motions from the 2012 GAA Congress
April 24th, 2012The big news from the recent annual GAA Congress was the appointment of Liam O Neill as President of the association. O'Neill from County Laois was installed at the annual Congress in Killenard. He takes over from ... more»
John Egan - One of the Greatest
April 10th, 2012All the great Kerry footballers I have been fortunate to have seen in action since 1955 have something that elevates them for some reason or another above all others. Individual brilliance, sportsmanship, off the field ... more»
Should managers be paid
January 24th, 2012When Padraig Duffy finally presented his discussion document to the GAA management Committee on the payment of managers last Friday week he was certainly opening the proverbial "can of worms" in a very big way ... more»
'Caid is God' - A Great GAA Kerry programe not to be missed
January 11th, 2012The programme "Caid is God" goes out on TG4 on Sunday 22 January at 9.30pm. Even if you hate football, you'll like this programme. It is about a passionate, lifelong commitment to a cause, a sport, an ... more»
The GAA and Rugby Football in Kerry 1885-1905
October 19th, 2011'Degenerating, from sterling Irishmen into contemptible West Britons' Kerry is the most successful county in the history of Gaelic Football. Since its inaugural victory in 1903, the county has retained the All Ireland ... more»
The Tralee GAA Sports of 1885 and the Fight for Irish Athletics
October 19th, 2011Politics or Play? On the 17 June 1885, Kerry hosted its first ever GAA event; an athletics meeting in Tralee. Significant as this was in a local context, heralding the start of Kerry's long and historic connection with ... more»
Excerpts from "My Life and Music"
August 10th, 2011Published in the Journal of Cumann Luachra, November 2006. Read by Neil O'Sullivan on Terrace Talk Special, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Opening of Jimmy O'Brien's Famous GAA and Music Pub, in Killarney. ... more»
The one true religion
August 10th, 2011IN 1946 Monsignor Liam Brosnan watched Kerry train for the first time and fell under a lifelong spell. He was 12 and they were training for the All-Ireland final replay against Roscommon: it was love at first sight. ... more»
Tribute to Liam Higgins
November 14th, 2006Liam Higgins was one of my closest friends, if not the closest. As well as being a fine footballer, he was a talented teacher in Dingle CBS, but he had the misfortune to have me as one of his pupils. I am sorry to say, ... more»
Who coaches the coaches in the GAA
I MUST admit at being pleasantly surprised when I heard new GAA President Liam O'neill in his first press briefing acknowledged that Gaelic football, in its current guise, had become "boring," an observation ... more»The Capuchin Friar and the violence at the 1962 Munster Final
Kerry football had reached an all time low during the early and middle sixties. The county had suffered humiliating defeats in the championship during that decade going under to Down, Galway and Cork twice. In 1962 an ... more»Sections
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