The glory days of 1971
generated at Kiskeam Vocational School under the guidance of Principal Noel Gallagher, a county hurler from Youghal.
“Noel had more knocks and scars from playing hurling than the great Classius Clay, he was outstanding in the promotion of gaelic games as was Imelda Crowley with the girls. At every opportunity, we were playing football and it helped towards enhancing the skills of the game that benefited the clubs within the School’s catchment area,” said Seán.
“That added to the interest on and off the field none more so than Bally’ coming up against Kiskeam. When we played the opposing black jersey, we say red, it drove us on in many a battle but it has to be said, once the last whistle sounded, we were the best of friends”.
Having reached two Examiner Cup Finals in three seasons, the big question surrounding Ballydesmond fans could they elevate themselves one more step to win a championship, Garda Sergeant Tim O’Keeffe entrusted with training the team.
“Sgt O’Keeffe based in Ballydesmond, coming from Lisavigeen, Killarney was a genuine and top class reader of the game. For some reason, he was always on duty on a Saturday night, that ensured fellas kept off the beer,” quipped Kelly.
Having lost the Examiner Cup Final to Kiskeam, the margin for error was considerably reduced when Ballydesmond faced up to the same opposition in a quarter final to the championship.
On this occasion, Ballydesmond climbed off the canvas to record a narrow win over their great rivals. Into a semi and another close tangle, opponents Glenlara featured Simon Foley, Batt O’Callaghan and Denis Cronin before Ballydesmond withstood a barrage of late pressure to earn a place in the decider against 1970 finalists Dromtariffe.
“Those games against Kiskeam and Glenlara were tough, knockout football all through and the venues were packed. Going into the final, we were a bit of unknown quantity, seeking a first time title and coming up against Dromtariffe, a club steeped in tradition saw to it that we were the underdogs,” said captain Kelly.
Interestingly Ballydesmond goalkeeper TJ O’Connell (whose son Eoghan became an international golfer) had previously played with Dromtariffe and corner forward Joe Murphy later settled in Dromtariffe and currently holds the position of club chairman.
A novel meeting helped assemble a large attendance in the Newmarket staging, outsiders Ballydesmond appeared to hold far more energy and held an ascendency in most of the man on man exchanges. At midfield, captain Kelly and Danno Dennehy held a ball winning facility.
And a series of positive returns were gained up front, goals netted by Tom O’Sullivan and Andy O’Connor boosted Ballydesmond’s cause. With the Dromtariffe defence prone to fouling, the accurate Dennehy obliged from placed balls.
In fairness, as the game aged, Dromtariffe got to grips and through the promptings of massive kick outs from John Murphy in addition to the rallying efforts of Dan Joe O’Keeffe and Mick Murphy allowed Dromtariffe mount a terrific comeback.
A series of goals set the scene for a tension charged closing that tested the nerves of fifteen history seeking Ballydesmond men. At the full time whistle, those on the field and the embankment released both joy and relief to a memorable occasion that earned Ballydesmond a 2-8 to 3-3 triumph.
No surprise Ballydesmond supporters rejoiced after an epic journey that earned a reward for a club just seven years in existence.
“To land a first title pointed to major celebrations in the four pubs in the village at the time. Some drank lemonade and others may had consumed up to 14 pints, Sergeant O’Keeffe had a job to curtail the revelry,” said Kelly. “We had the talent to win more but it’s fair to say that probably we took our eye off the ball.
“Into the county championship we overcame Glanmire only to be defeated by a stronger Adrigole side that included Cork star Kevin Jer O’Sullivan,” he said.
Inevitably, Ballydesmond had regrets on missing out on reaching a county final yet the team of 1971 came of age to win a Duhallow Championship. On duty in the divisional decider were: BALLYDESMOND: T J O’Connell; Jeremiah Healy, Connie O’Connor, Tim Murphy; Noel O’Connor, Teddy Dennehy, Brendan Scollard; Seán Kelly, Danno Dennehy; Tim Joe Healy, Andy O’Connor, Dan O’Connor; Joe Murphy, Tim O’Leary, Tom O’Sullivan.
DROMTARIFFE: Dermot O’Sullivan; Denis Angland, John Murphy, Joe Nunan; John O’Connor, Gerard Buckley, Seamus O’Keeffe; Mick Murphy, Dan Joe O’Keeffe; Frank Barry, Connie Duggan, Tony Murphy; Joe O’Riordan, Matt Murphy, Bill Howard. Subs: John Healy, Larry Buckley.