Kevin Beahan was well before his time when it came to preparation

IN this day and age, sports people use all kinds of techniques to improve their game, from protein drinks to tough gym work, etc.

But remember Kevin Beahan (right), the Louth hero of the 1950s.

It is doubtful if many players in the long history of Gaelic football packed a more powerful shot than the former Louth great from Ardee.

Kevin, who was a midfield and attacking hero for the Wee County from 1953 to the early ‘sixties, developed his rocket like drive by practising kicking a ball in two feet of grass near his Dublin digs in Raheny.

Those were carefree days in Beahan’s youth when he brought a ball with him nearly everywhere he went.

The dedication certainly did not go to waste as he went on to win virtually every honour in the game including Leinster and All-Ireland medals in 1957, a Railway Cup award in 1961, an Ireland jersey in 1958 and Louth championship successes with St. Marys, Ardee.

Kevin played a vital part in Louth’s 1-9 to 1-7 final victory over Cork in 1957 and five minutes from the end, after being switched from midfield to right half-forward, his perfectly flighted sideline kick was knocked into the net by Dundalk’s Sean Cunningham for the all important goal.

Certainly it was a measure of his guts and determination that he could make such an impact around the half way line despite being only 5 ft. 7 ins. tall and weighing only 11 st. 3 Ib.