Islanders of pedigree in Kerry Junior grade

A RECENT Islandman issue referred to Valentia Islanders who won All-Ireland Junior football medals with Kerry. Those referred to were Brendan O’Sullivan, Ger O’Driscoll, Michael A. O’Connell and the late John ‘The Butcher’ O’Connor. Brendan, having been on the losing side to Cavan in 2014, won his first versus Mayo in 2015. He did not take part in the victory over Mayo in 2016 as players of the previous winning year were ruled out. His second medal came in this year’s victory over Meath. Ger O’Driscoll of Feighmane and Michael A. O’Connell of Knightstown won a Junior All-Ireland in 1983 when Kerry defeated Yorkshire by 15 points to 2. O’Driscoll, who of course played in the All-Ireland senior finals of 1975, ‘76 and ‘80 (winning two) won a second junior medal in 1991 with a victory over London (2-14 to 0-5). He also won an All-Ireland Under-21 medal in 1975 and many domestic awards too numerous to mention.

Pat O’Connell of Cracow won an All-Ireland Junior medal in 1967 when Kerry defeated London by nine points to four. Mossie O’Driscoll from Dohilla won a Munster Junior medal with Pat in ‘67 but did not qualify for an All-Ireland medal, though he was on the panel. Pat also played at midfield in the All-Ireland minor final of 1965, beaten by Derry on a score of 2-8 to 2-4. He was also on the losing All-Ireland under-21 side of 1967 when Mayo defeated Kerry. They drew the first game on a score of 2-10 each, but Mayo easily won the replay by 4-9 to 1-7. It was that memorable day when Mayo’s Willie McGee scored four goals. Pat also figured in seven National League senior football games for Kerry (playing in five) between 1967 and 1969, scoring 2-3 from right corner forward versus Limerick in 1968. John Shanahan was on the losing Kerry Junior team to Roscommon in 2000 and Brendie Murphy, Pat O’Connor and Ger O’Driscoll lost the home final to Galway in 1985, with Galway subsequently victorious over Warwickshire.