Seamus MOYNIHAN

ONE thinks of Seamus Moynihan and one immediately thinks of one of the great, most versatile footballers ever in Kerry. It’s fair to assume that most people would regard Moynihan’s best position as centre-back, or at least somewhere in the half-back line: the natural skills, the spatial awareness, the impeccable reading of the game, the deceptive speed - all perfects traits for a half-back.

Of course, many people will then remember Moynihan as probably the greatest ever ‘makeshift’ full back in the game; sacrificed as a marauding half back to fill the no.3 jersey because it was felt there wasn’t a natural full back in the county after Barry O’Shea suffered a cruciate ligament injury ahead of the 2000 season.

And then there was the odd dalliance with midfield, including his Kerry senior debut - the ill-fated 1992 Munster SFC final when Clare humbled Kerry in Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds, making it a Championship debut never to forget for the Glenflesk great.

But how many remember that in Moynihan’s first full season with the seniors - 1993 - he played five of his first six National League games at left-half forward?

Or that his 1995 League campaign saw him play five games at centre-forward, before playing three at right-half back and one at no.6?

In Championship football, Moynihan wore the no. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 jerseys - and seldom had a poor game in any position - which makes the three-time All Star (twice at right half back and at full back) one of the most versatile Kerry footballers of all time.