Commemorating the heroes of 1993 championship win

NEXT Sunday’s South Kerry final will feature a half-time commemoration of the Valentia Young Islanders senior football team, victorious 25 years ago over Waterville Frank Caseys in the South Kerry of 1993 at the Con Keating Memorial Park, Cahersiveen. The game went to a replay as the first encounter on November 28 finished a draw at 10 points each.

Valentia won the replay by 10 points to eight. This victory was the swansong South Kerry championship win for a number of these players who were part of a golden era which commenced in 1979 with a win also over Waterville. Valentia’s recent South Kerry championship victory over Waterville was their first against that opposition since 1993. They lost to Waterville in South Kerry championship encounters (not finals) in 1994, 1996, 2006, 2008, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

The 1993 team was: Tommy Gilligan, John Daly, Brendy Murphy, Nealie Lyne, PJ O’ Sulllivan, Seamus O’Connor, Ger Lynch, Fionán Murphy, Paul Curran, Mike O’Donoghue (Captain), Michael A O’Connell, Declan Lynch, Pat O’Connor, John Paul Curran, Richard Quigley. Subs: Michael Gallagher, Mícheál Lyne, Joe Lynch, Mike ‘Rocky’ O’Shea, Noel Curran, Patrick O’Connor, Junior Murphy, and John Shanahan.

Michael Gallagher started in the drawn game but was replaced by Ger Lynch for the replay. Junior Murphy also started on the first day out and was replaced by Michael A O’Connell for the replay.

The trainer/selector was Brendy Murphy, whose fellow selectors were John Shanahan senior (RIP), Joe Lynch, Micheál Lyne and Pat O’Connor. John Daly, Richard Quigley, Junior Murphy and John Shanahan still today line out with Valentia. Referee Brendan O’Donoghue (Renard) officiated at both games.