Miscellaneous

The Fastest Footballers ever to play for Kerry

June 30th, 2009
by Weeshie Fogarty

The Mills Inn Ballyvourney county Cork is the very last watering hole for Kerry supporters before they cross the border following a game in the rebel county. It is here that many the GAA inquest is held and many the debate endures following either victory or defeat for Kerry supporters against the old enemy.

One of the great pleasures following either victory or defeat is the opportunity to mingle and meet with Kerry supporters and discuss with them the pros and cons of what transpired during the course of a match. One thing that I discovered many years ago is the fact that if you sit at a bar any where in this county or beyond you will inevitably discover that seated just a stool or two away from you is a person whose depth of knowledge in relation to Kerry football goes far deeper than your own and indeed than most people you have met previously. And this includes the women of the Kingdom.

And so it was following the recent Kerry/Cork replay in Pairc Uí Chaoimh we stopped off at the afore mentioned licensed premises where as expected the debate, arguments and solutions were literally in full flow between the returning hoards. Cork supporters present could scarcely conceal their total joy and ecstasy having beaten the legends in the green and gold.

For Kerry followers it was simply the beginning of a wake that would continue for the following weeks. Indeed let me add that during the last ten days around this county and beyond I have been astounded at the continuous debate that has ensured following that defeat by Cork in the replay. Every second person one meets has a view on what transpired and the decisions made or indeed not made by the Kerry selectors.

Opinions are many and varied in relation to the displays of the various Kerry players. Who should have started? Who should not have started? What players should have been called ashore or those who were hauled off and should not have been substituted. It's all great stuff.

This is one of the fascinations of Kerry football and one of the unknown secrets of what makes the kingdom the continuing dominating force is has become since the founding of the association 125 years ago. Of course there will be valley periods when the talent dries up and the opposing counties step forward to take their place in the late September sun of All Ireland final day in Croke Park.

The present players and management of the Kerry team need no reminding that Kerry supporters are the hardest task masters of all and demand nothing but victory. And of course this is an impossibility and we must not forget that the present team and mentors have achieved the near impossible of contesting the last five All Ireland finals in-a-row. The men behind the county team will burn the midnight oil and will leave no stone unturned to achieve victory in the next outing. Theirs is a thankless job. They do it for the love of their county and their passion for the game; nevertheless they know full well that they are under the full glare of the most knowledgeable, passionate and difficult to please supporters in the whole of this country. Paidí Ó Sé highly controversial assertion of Kerry supporters some years ago was very close to the bone and made a lot of sense as we can now reflect in the wisdom of hindsight.

So back to that last stop in the county of Cork, Ballyvourney as originally mentioned. One of the points of discussion which arose among the group I was in debate with was the display of Darran O'Sullivan when introduced. One aspect of Darran's performance, (as always) was the blinding speed which he possesses. For me at the moment there are few better sights on a football field than the Glenbeigh/Glencar man in full flight cutting through the opposing defences like a knife through hot butter.

And it was his scintilling runs and tremendous speed when in possession of the ball that precipitated a fiery debate which we failed to agree on even as we faced the horse for home and headed towards the county bounds. Who was the fastest ever Kerry footballer when in possession of the ball that played for the Kingdom? That was the burning question. We kind-of agreed that it was between Darran and Ger Power.

So on the strength of that debate I now let it to the readers of this column to agree or disagree on the following fifteen I have chosen as the fastest players in possession I have seen since attending my first All Ireland final in 1955. In possession of the ball when solo running flat out is the crucial point.

The goalkeeper of course is in a different category. How do you judge him? So I went for Charlie Nelligan because of his speed around the goal area. He was very fast to advance and move from post to post when the occasion demanded. Declan O'Keeffe was also of a similar style. So were these the fifteen fastest Kerry players since 1955 to have worn the green and gold of their county. Here goes. Charlie Nelligan, Ger O'Keeffe, John O'Keeffe, Marc Ó Sé, Ger Power, Seamus Moynihan, Tom Prendergast, Jack O'Shea, DJ Crowley, Paudie Sheehy, Pat Spillane, Tadghie Lyne, Brendan Lynch, Tom Long, Darran O'Sullivan.



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