I wouldn’t believe that old story at all

A Chara — In a recent column in your paper, Tomas O Se referred to a story told by his uncle Paidi. The story related to Paidi when he was preparing the West Kerry team in 1984 for their upcoming Kerry County Final against South Kerry.

Paidi wanted to be sure that his county midfielder, Vincent O’Connor, would be motivated to take on the challenge that would be posed by Jack O’Shea, the South Kerry midfielder.

Paidi claimed to have concocted a story that Vincent’s chances with Kerry were curtailed because of Jacko’s influence with Mick O’Dwyer, resulting in Vincent “going out and playing like a bull” in the West Kerry victory.

I would like to place on record that this particular story of Paidi’s motivational skills is a complete fabrication.

I was the midfield partner of Vincent and captain of that West Kerry team. Having known him for many years, I can tell you that not only did this not happen, but the idea of portraying Vincent as someone who could be taken in by such a tactic is utter rubbish.

Vincent was a marvellous midfielder, with tremendous natural speed and an ability to field high ball that drew admiration from none other than Mick O’Connell following Vincent’s 1979 Munster Final performance in Killarney. He relished pitting himself against top players, and for anyone to suggest that he required special motivation for a county final is an insult to his pedigree.

He is the nephew of Dingle great, Bill Dillon, winning Kerry captain in 1941; the grandson of Batt O’Connor, All-Ireland winner with Kerry in 1909; and son of John O’Connor, an AllIreland winner with Galway in 1938. Vincent himself won three All-Irelands, two U21 All-Irelands and a minor All-Ireland… and let’s not forget what are probably his favourite medals — two County Senior championships. Gabriel O Cathasaigh, Lios Poil, Co Chiarrai