The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
50 year celebration for Mid Kerry GAA
In many ways it’s been a unique year for Mid Kerry football in that they celebrated the 25th and 50th anniversary of the district’s county championship wins of 1967 and 1992.
Following the ’92 team’s celebration during half-time at this year’s county final, it was the turn of the men from 1967 to take the stage as they gathered at the Porter House Restaurant in Killarney – owned by Mid Kerry man, Pat Sheahan - to remember their glorious feat of 50 years ago when they defeated West Kerry 0-12 to 2-4.
Some of the players are sadly deceased but they were proudly represented on the night by family members as Chairman of the Mid Kerry Board, Mike Sayers and Pat O’Shea from Killorglin – who was very much involved with Mid Kerry teams of the ‘50s and is the current President of the Mid Kerry Board – spoke of their memories. Kerry County Secretary Peter Twiss was also in attendance.
Tony Lyons was the goalie of that famous team and when he spoke he opened the flood gates of memory for those present, while two players who won All-Ireland medals in 1962 when Kerry beat Roscommon: Laune Rangers’ Noel Lucey and Glenbeigh’s Gerry O’Riordan, were also present.
The captain of that ‘67 team was the late Pat Aherne who was represented by his wife Mary and each player was presented on the night with a commemorative medal and team photo from the Mid Kerry Board.Colm Kelly was the evening’s MC and his father, Murt, was a team selector with that ’67 team, as well as Kerry teams of that time.
“It’s been a year of double celebration for Mid Kerry and this event was very much enjoyed by all. It’s a special thing to see the men from that era together sharing their memories and we had a huge turnout which was a fitting way to honour this team,” said Colm.