This is one of my favourite and special interviews and we are fortunate to have preserved the voice of this exemplary person. Kerry supporters are the most loyal in the land. Now you can hear for the first time one of The Kingdom's greatest ever supporters tell his wonderful story of his love for Kerry and his travels as he followed his beloved county. This interview is the real grass roots of the GAA. For me it expresses all that is great and good about Kerry supporters.

Bernie O'Connell was a gentleman above all else. Valentia Island born he was involved in football all his life. Here he recalls his young days on the island, forming a new club called "The Holy Terrors", shouldering the legendary Paddy Kennedy off Croke Park with the Sam Maguire in 1946. Cycling 140 miles to Thurles to see Christy Ring playing, with just a bottle of lemonade and a few penny buns.  Powering a bicycle to cycle to games and paying back his friends with a day in the bog or saving the hay. And much more. Bernie was one of my favorite people. It was a privilege to have him as a friend.

Bernie O'Connell  --  1923-2001

(Photo is of Paddy Kennedy being shouldered off Croke Park by Kerry supporters in 1946)

* To download this audio to your computer in mp3 format, right click on this link
   and choose 'Save Target as' or 'Save Link as'.

• Back to GAA

Sections

• All Interviews (196)
• Recently Added
  
  
• Athletics (8)
• GAA (115)
• In Conversation (19)
• Literary (4)
• Miscellaneous (3)
• Murt Mulcahy (5)
• Other Sports (41)
• Politicians (6)
• Public Figures (12)
• Soccer (4)
• Specials (3)
• Terrace Talk (2)
• Tributes (7)

Search Interviews