Snippets supplied by Jack Hennessy Culture Officer North Kerry Football Board

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Did you know that it is 21 years (1992) since Ballydonoghue last lifted the North Kerry Senior Championship Cup. Listowel Emmets were the holders (1991) going into the 1992 campaign defeating Castleisland Desmonds in the final and deserved their favourites tag to lift another Championship title.Ballydonoghue were hoping to bridge a 33 year gap since they were crowned champions in 1959 captained by the great Ned Purtill. They got their championship underway with a hard earned win over Knocknagoshel in an earlier round and had 3pts to spare at the end. Next up was a semi final meeting with Moyvane and this game had to go to a replay before we had a winner, the sides having finished level at 1-7 a piece; however in an exciting replay it was the boys in green and white that prevailed on a score of 2-7 to 1-6. So after a long wait Ballydonoghue eventually reached the North Kerry Senior Football Championship Final. Played at Stack Park, Ballybunion Listowel Emmets were the raging hot favourites while Ballydonoghue were quietly confident. In the end though it was Ballydonoghue who turned on the style before a record crowd at Stack Park, Ballybunion,  to claim the title with Jackie Dowling captaining the side to glory. Ballydonoghue 0.08 Listowel 0.03  Referee Danny Enright  Man of the Match David Gunn  The following was the panel of players used.  Mark Griffin, Martin Scanlon, Anthony Doyle, Tony Griffin, John Bolger Declan O Connor, David Gunn, Dick McElligott, Liam Flaherty, Stevie Connoughton, Paudie Mulvihill, Dermot Lynch, John Mulvihill, Michael Kissane, Pa Foley, Noel Madden, Jackie Dowling, Robert Bunyan, Nix Riordan, Dan Mulvihill, John Dowling, Batty Lynch, John Houlihan, Dermot Hughes, Colm O Connor, Padraig O Donnell, Martin Enright.  Trainer Tadhg Carr  Before the 1993 victory the last Ballydonoghue team to reach a North Kerry Senior Football Championship Final was 1961 and certainly they had some household names in their lineout  North Kerry Final 1961  Moyvane v Ballydonoghue  Michael Mulvihill, Finbar Carrig, Paddy Purtill, Danny Dowling, Jer D O Connor, Bud O Connor, Tim Linnane, Johnny Cahill, Denis O Mahony, Tom Linnane, Jerry Healy, Mick Walsh, Jim Keane, Jim Paul Kissane, Bobby Collins, Eamie Kissane, Maurice Dillon, Patsy Kennelly, Joe Gunn, Con Nolan, 

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Did you know Feale Rangers 0-8  Mid Kerry 0-3. That in 1978 the Bishop Moynihan Cup (County Senior Football Championship) came across the river Feale for the first time. The Captain of the team was Johnny Wren, Tarbert who received the Cup from Gerald McKenna, Chairman of the County Board. Team Trainer was Johnny Flaherty, Listowel Emmets, Selectors were; Dan McAuliffe, Duagh, (Captain of the victorious Shannon Rangers 1964 team) Pat Kelly, Pat Joe McEnery, Moyvane, Kieran Rohan, St. Senans, Eric Brown, Listowel Emmets. On the way to the final Feale Rangers defeated South Kerry at the Quarter Final stage by 5-15 to 2-9. A local North Kerry derby and a repeat of the previous years final which Shannon Rangers won but on this occasion in a semi final the Feale got through by a point. In the final Feale Rangers inspired by team captain, Johnny Wren, the hodoo is broken and the County Championship comes across the Feale for the first time in the history of the Association. That historic team lined out as follows; John Kennelly, Listowel Emmets, Paddy Hannon, Listowel Emmets, Gerald Leahy, Listowel Emmets, Johnny Wren, Tarbert, Capt, Sean Walsh, Moyvane, Tim Kennelly, Listowel Emmets, Eamon Fitzmaurice, Moyvane, Jimmy Deenihan, Finuge, Johnny Mulvihill, Moyvane, Robert Bunyan, Ballydonoghue, Johnny Bunyan, Ballydonoghue, Tommy Bridgeman, Tarbert, Pat Flaherty, Listowel Emmets, Paddy Mulvihill, Moyvane, Gerald O Sullivan, Tarbert. Subs, Patsy O Connell, Tarbert, Seamus Donovan, Listowel Emmets, Timmy O Sullivan, Finuge, Mike O Brien, Tarbert, Mike McGuire, Listowel Emmets, Mike Mulvihill, Moyvane. In fact 16 of that panel wore the green and gold of their County at some grade or another.

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Did you know that the late Frank Sheehy of Listowel was the first man to score in the Railway Cup Football competition. That seven North Kerry men were on the Kerry U21 panel defeated by Meath in the 1993 All Ireland Final at Portlaoise; Shane Curtin, Desmonds, Fergus Stack, Beale, John O Connell, Tarbert, Eamon Hennessy, Ballylongford were playing. Subs were; Timmy Foley, Ballylongford, John Histon, Tarbert, Eddie Bowler, Duagh.Brosna G A A Club joined the North Kerry Football Board in 1975 with President, Timmy Finnegan, Chairman, Maurice McAuliffe, Secretary, Frank Finnegan and Treasurer, John Cronin. That in 1967 Kerry County Board set up a Board to look after juveniles. The man elected to be the first Chairman of Bord Na Nog was Johnny Walsh of Ballylongford. That in 1996 saw the first football games played in the Knockanure pitch. Chairman of the Club was Willie Joe Leahy. That Asdee were defeated by Castleisland Desmonds in the first round of the 1998 North Kerry Senior Football Championship by 3-11 to 1-9. Team was Gerdie O Carroll, John Long, Martin Costello, 1pt, Kevin O Callaghan, Donal Nagle, Mike Long, Donal O Carroll, Barry Healy, Sean Mulvihill, Paul O Hanlon, 1gl, Tom Long, 2pts, Tom Hayes, John Kennedy, 4pts, Eoin O Mahony, 1pt, Patrick O Brien, 1pt. Subs, Danny Finucane, Dan Kearney, Ritchard Dee, Jack Scanlon, Matthew O Hanlon, Hugh O Donoghue, Sean “Red”Stack, Brian Coughlan, Tom Costello.

Did you know that 1998 was a year to remember for members of the Ballydonoghue Instrumental Music Group of Aine Dee, Claire Kissane, Katie McNamara, Sarah Nolan, Brian Kissane. They won the Scor Na Nog All Ireland Finals and became the first club  from North Kerry ever to win a National Title at either Senior or Junior Scor competitions. Ballydonoghue again made their mark in the 2011/12  season winning their second National Title in Instrumental Music with members of the Group; Myra O Connell, Cassandra Cremin, Kevin O Neill and Kieran O Connell. Katie McNamara was part of both successes.  That Tara Mulvihill from Moyvane came second in the Solo Singing in the 2000 Munster Finals of Scor Na Nog. That John Walsh, St. Senans former Kerry All Ireland Minor medal holder represented his Club and County in the Munster Finals of Scor Na Nog in the Premier Hall, Thurles, in 1983. That at the Community Centre Castleisland in 1985; Robert Bunyan, Danny Curtin and James Finnerty represented Ballydonoghue in the Question Time as did Tommy Carroll, Patrick O Donnell and Michael Carr in the Instrumental Music at the County Finals of Senior Scor. That in 1978 Listowel Emmets Figure Dancers won the County, Munster and were defeated in the All Ireland Finals. Those involved were;Mary Cantillon, Mary Hartnett, Ann Hickey, Ann Dowling, Murt McAuliffe, Tadhg Flahive, John Stack, John Scanlon; also in 1978 representing the Lyreacrompane G A A Club were John Brosnan, Jerry O Connell in Instrumental Music, won a County Title, Peggy Sweeney won the Solo Singing at County level representing St. Senans in 1978. That Maurice O Mahony, Danny Curtin and Gerald Fitzgerald, Ballydonoghue were a special trio winning numerous County Titles and who reached the Munster Finals of Senior Scor on no fewer that 4 occasions being narrowly defeated in all four. Asdee Novelty Act were winners of the 2004 County Senior Scor Finals held in the Gleneagle Hotel Killarney. Members of the group were; Nora Stack, Anna Maria Tydings, Donal Dalton and Jack Hennessy. Club Scor Officer was Mattie Quinn. Frances Kennedy, Listowel Emmets was victorious also in the Recitation section

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Did you know that Joe Langan, Tarbert, holds the record for officiating at North Kerry Championship Senior Football Finals being referee on 6 occasions; 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 2000. That another outstanding feat by a Ballyduff man, Gary O Brien who won the All Ireland Under 21 Superweight title and also on the same day collected his second National Medal when he was a substitute on the successful Kerry Under 21 Hurling team. That St. Senans G A A Club were presented with an award in Croke Park on Monday January 9th, 2000, as they came second in Kerry in the best club of the year. There were over 100 entries in Kerry with Dr. Crokes, Killarney declared the winners. The awards were in recognition of the way the clubs were structured. That the first North Kerryman to play in an All Ireland Senior Football Final was Jim Wren, Tarbert in 1905 and the first North Kerryman to win an All Ireland senior Championship medal was Jack Kennelly, Clounmacon in 1909. That Ballydonoghue G A A Club officially opened their pitch; the Denis Dowling Memorial Park on the 5th July 1987. That in the 1994 North Kerry Senior Football Championship Final Ballyduff defeated Ballydonoghue at Stack Park, Ballybunion on a score of 0-5 to 1-1. Seven players scored; for Ballydonoghue,Martin Enright, 1gl and Liam Flaherty 1pt. Ballyduff replied through, Christy Ross, Paul Donegan, Pa O Rourke, John O Carroll and Mike Hennessy, 1pt each. That when Moyvane defeated Listowel Emmets in the 1985 North Kerry league Final the late Bernard O Callaghan accounted for all Moyvanes scores; 1-8.

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Did you know that in 1987 the following Club Officers were elected at their respective Club A G Ms; Beale had President, John Francis Ahern, Chairman, Berard O Callaghan, Vice Chairmen, Robert Stack and Davy O Sullivan, Secretary, Tim Quaid, Treasurers, Lena O Sullivan, Patie O Mahony and Reggie Griffin, P R O, Patrick O Sullivan. SeniorTeam Trainer; Bernard O Callaghan. Bord Na Nog Chairman, Danny Shannahan. Tarbert had Fr. Maher as President, Chairman, John Normile, Vice Chairman, J. Flaherty, Secretary, J. Lavery, Treasurer, S. Spillane and Assistant J. Patwell. St. Marys, Asdee; President Tommy O Connor, Chairman, Michael Mulvihill, Vice Chairman, Joe Gorman, Secretary, Jim O Connor, Treasurers, Eddie Anthony Walsh and Michael O Connor, P R O Mike Rice. Senior Team Trainer, Michael Doyle.Bord Na Nog Chairman, Donie O Keeffe. Lenamore; President, Eamonn O Coilean, Chairman, Padraig O Concubhair, Vice Chairman, Dan Mulvihill, Secretary, Michael Barrett, Treasurer, John Barrett. Senior Team Trainer, Micheal Lawlee. Moyvane had President, Jerry Brosnan, Chairman, Sean Walsh, Vice Chairman, Denis O Connor, Secretary, Teddy Keane, Treasurers, Martin Kennelly and Pat Mulvihill, P R O Mike Hanrahan. Senior Team Trainer, Eamon Fitzmaurice. Bord Na Nog Chairman, Denis O Connor.

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Did you know that Shannon Rangers became County Champions  back in 2003 when the North Kerry side put back to back titles together at Under 14 level. Rangers had an inauspicious start to the campaign when they were beaten 6-16 to 4-16 in the first round to Mid Kerry in Milltown. The loosers round saw them pitted against Eoghan Ruagh and after a tough enough encounter won by a six point margin played at Glenflesk. Next up was Tralee (a combination of Austin Stacks, Kerins O Rahillys and John Mitchels) in the semi final. The game which was played at Mountcoal was a terrific advert for football and Rangers pulled away in the closing stages to secure a 3-13 to 2-9 victory and as a result of this win a final place awaited and a chance to get one over on Mid Kerry who were easy first round winners when the sides clashed. Kerins O Rahillys was the venue for the decider on Sunday June 29th. Mid Kerry were warm favourites but Rangers stood firm and at the interval Rangers led 4-3 to 1-7, their ability to get goals being the highlight of the first half. It was more of the same on resumption with the Shannonsiders on top; however Mid Kerry threw caution to the wind to score two goals and leave the bare minimum between the sides. Now Rangers experience of being title holders stood to them and they carved out a tremendous victory scoring two unanswered points in the closing minutes for a three point victory. Final score; Shannon Rangers 4-9 Mid Kerry 3-9. The victorious team and substitutes were; Shane Thornton, Ballydonoghue, Michael McMahon Beale, Martin O Connor, capt, Ballyduff, Ray O Sullivan, Asdee/Bally, Kevin Costello, Ballydonoghue, Paud Costello, Ballyduff, Kevin Enright, Tarbert, Anto Griffin, Ballyduff, Paudie Moroney, Asdee/Bally, Paul Kennelly, Ballydonoghue, Jackie Hegarty, Ballydonoghue, Eoin Kennedy, Asdee/Bally, Kevin Dillon, Ballydonoghue, Brian O Carroll, Ballyduff, Garret O Connell, Tarbert. Subs, Ger O Gorman, Ballydonoghue, Joe McCarthy, Asdee/Bally, Kevin Shanley, Tarbert, Thomas Brassil, Asdee/Bally, Declan Beasley, Beale, Eamon Walsh, Ballydonoghue, Conor Breen, Beale, Tony Brennan, Beale, Eoin O Carroll, Asdee/Bally, Darren Enright, Beale, John Enright, Ballyduff, Michael Normile, Tarbert. Mentors; Team Trainer, John Kennedy, Asdee/Bally, Selectors, Diarmuid O Carroll, Ballyduff, Patrick O Sullivan, Beale, Tom Enright, Tarbert, Christy Dillon, Ballydonoghue. Liasion Officer, J P Hussey, Ballyduff.

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Did you know that Dan McAuliffe of Duagh and star Kerry forward of the late 50s and early 60s was top scorer in 3 Munster Senior Football Finals; 1959, (0-7), 1961, replay, (0-8), 1962, (1-2). Other North Kerry men who were top scorers,in Munster Senior Football Finals were; Jim Brosnan, Moyvane, 1959 (2-1) and 1956 (1-0), Gary McMahon, Listowel Emmets, 1958, (2-2), Tony Barrett, Ballyduff, 1964 (2-1), Eoin “Bomber” Liston, Beale, 1980 (2-1), John Kennedy, Ballylongford/Asdee 1986 (0-4). That Patsy “Skin” O Connell Tarbert was appointed coach to the Limerick Senior Football Team for 1989.

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Did you know that the people who made up the North Kerry Football Board in 1994 were; President, Johnny Walsh, Ballylongford, Chairman, Bernard O Callaghan, Beale, Vice Chairmen, John Stack, St. Senans, Tom O Sullivan, Asdee, Secretary, Tom Firzgerald, Finuge, Treasurers, Micheal Lynch, Ballylongford, Kieran Corridan, Brosna, Aiden Galvin, Finuge, Development Officer, Der O Connor, Tarbert, Scor Officer, Jackie Walsh, St. Senans, P R O Billy Enright, Ballylongford.

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Did you know shannon Rangers, 2-7 Coorclare 0-4.When the Club Championship was first introduced in 1964 the then County Senior Football Champions Shannon Rangers represented the County and after defeating Ballysteen of Limerick, Killrossanty, Waterford and the Clare Champions Cooraclare in the final they became the first team to win the Munster Club Championship. Rangers might well have gone on to win the All Ireland but the Championship did not go beyond the Provencial series at that particular time. For the record the team that lined out on that historic day, July 27th 1965 at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick, (now Pairc Na Gaeil) were; Alan Kennelly, Ballylongford, Tom O Sullivan, Finuge, Paud O Donoghue, Ballylongford, Mike Joe Quinlan, Ballyduff, John Mulvihill, Clounmacon, John McCarthy, Ballylongford, Mickey McElligott, Michael Mulvihill, Ballydonoghue, Jer D O Connor, Ballydonoghue, Michael Walsh, Ballylongford, Brian McCarthy, Ballylongford, Tony Barrett, Ballyduff, Teddy O Sullivan, Ballyduff, Eamon O Donoghue, Ballylongford, Ritchard Carey, Finuge, Billy Doran, Duagh. Shannon Rangers were trained by the great Johnny Walsh, Ballylongford and his fellow Selectors were; Bill O Sullivan, Clounmacon, Timmy Carr, Ballydonoghue, Jack Walsh, St. Patricks, Ballybunion, Tom Fitzgerald, Ballyduff. Apart from the players already mentioned the following players were also involved in either County Championship campaign or the Munster Championship campaign; Michael Enright, Ballylongford, Eamon O Sullivan, Anthony Hennessy, Tony O Sullivan, Mattie Murphy, all Ballyduff, Bud O Connor and Paddy Collins Ballydonoghue, Dan McAuliffe, Patsy McNamara, Duagh, Robert Stack, Pa Walsh and Mike McMahon, St. Patricks, Ballybunion.        That Ballylongford failed to win the North Kerry Double in 1973, they certainly made no mistake a year later in 1974. With Shannon Rangers qualifying for the County Championship Final, both North Kerry competions went late. With Bally defeating Moyvane and Tarbert overcoming Ballyconry, everything was set for another Bally v Tarbert final. With the game played in Ballylongford and produced one of the most talked about finals for many a day. Actually the game was in doubt up to the last minute due to two reasons; (1) The pitch was unplayable, (2) The appointed Referee failed to turn up. However North Kerry Board Chairman Bernard O Callaghan agreed to take charge of the whistle and few if any; in the large crowd envied him his job. Tarbert led at the break 1-4 to 1-1 and continued to dominate the second half and led by 2pts with 3mts remaining. In a last effort to save the game Bally forwards combined and Barry Walsh was grounded in the square and up stepped the ever reliable Brian McCarthy to billow the net and at the final whistle it was Bally who edged home 2-5 to 1-7. The following Sunday December 23rd Bally completed the double defeating Finuge 1-9 to 0-5 in Moyvane.Team; Christy Donovan, Jack Hennessy, Paud O Donoghue, 1pt, Jerry Keane, Conor Heaphy, Mike McEllistrim, Donie Mulvihill, Jackie Walsh, 1pt, Eddie Anthony Walsh, Barry Walsh, Eamon O Donoghue, Mike Keane, Tim McEllistrim, 1gl, John McCarthy, Brian McCarthy, 1gl. There were 5 sets of brothers on the team.        Brian McCarthy, Conor Heaphy and Donie Mulvihill, all Ballylongford were the full forward line that won the 1972 County Senior Football Championship with Shannon Rangers. All three played in the back line on the winning 1977 side.        The following is the Tarbert Minor Team of 1952, (58 yrs ago) who defeated Listowel in the North Kerry Minor Championship Final that includes many players who became household names in later years; Willie Flynn, Micheal Carmody, Seamus O’Neill, Eddie Ferris, Francis Kelly, Eugene Mulcaire, Franko Kelly, Timothy Mulvihill, Jimmy Carmody, Sean Donovan, Michael Lanigan, capt, Peter Langan, Finbarr Carrig, Georgie O Connell, Eddie Lanigan. Subs who played, Thomas McCarthy, Tom Mulcaire, Eddie Carmody. Other players who played juvenile and minor football in those years were; J J Kelly, J. J. Moore, J. O Connell, M Henchey, F. Guerin, S. Aherne, M.J. Coolahan.        The Officers of the Beale Club for 1986, (24 years ago) were as follows; President, John F. Aherne, Chairman, Bernie O Callaghan, Vice Chairmen, Robert Stack and Davy O Sullivan, Secretary, Tim Quaid, Treasurers, Micheal Kennelly, Tim Joe Griffin and Joe Casey, P R O , Patrick O Sullivan, Trainer, Bernie O Callaghan, Selectors, Bernie O Callaghan, Tom Hayes, Davie O Sullivan, Patrick O Sullivan.        Except for a year out Billy Enright, Ballylongford has served the North Kerry Football Board as an Officer at three different positions over a 20 year period. Billy came on the scene in 1991 as P R O for a five year period before taking up the position of Secretary in 1995. He excelled in this position until 2005 before taking a break. In 2007 Billy was back again as Vice Chairman of the Board and has now served 4 years of his five year term.        Long serving Coiste Na Nog Chiarrai Thuaidh, Runai Bill Fitzgerald, Ballydonoghue played Junior Football for Limerick defeating Kerry in the process.        Ballyduff joined forces with Ballydonoghue at under-age level in the 70s. Together they won the North Kerry Minor Football championship in 1974. Jimmy O Sullivan, P J Houlihan, Micheal O Halloran won County Minor Championship medals with Shannon Rangers. 1975 saw P J Houlihan and Robert Bunyan win All Ireland Minor medals in Croke Park. Robert Bunyan had the honour of captaining Kerry to victory. Johnny Bunyan won a senior All Ireland medal with Kerry on the same day in 1975 as part of a young Kerry team.        Ballyduff the defeated finalists in the 1993 North Kerry Senior Football Championship Final  went one better in the 1994 decider when they finally laid the bogey and captured the lucrative Bernard O Callaghan Memorial Championship and the Eamon O Donoghue Memorial Cup for the first time in the 70 years of its history when they defeated the 1992 Champions Ballydonoghue at Bob Stack Park, Ballybunion on a final score line of 0-5 to 1-1. Team and scorers were; Declan Whelan,Barry O Connor,Noel Brown, Cathal O Connor, Paddy Healy, Christy Ross, 1pt, Tony McManus, J J O Connor, Maurice O Connor, Paul Donegan, 1pt, Kevin O Connor, Pa O Rourke, 1pt, John O Carroll, 1pt, Mike Hennessy, 1pt, Kenneth Boyle. Subs, John Hennessy for Paul Donegan, inj.           The 1983 North Kerry Football Final, played at Stack Park, Ballybunion, witnessed Moyvane bring to an end a 17 year baron period to claim their 15th  North Kerry Championship Title defeating Ballylongford by 0-9 to 0-5. Johnny Mulvihill was named Man of the Match with Joe Langan, Tarbert in charge of the whistle. Moyvane team were; Jody Fitzmaurice, capt, Noel Sheehan, Mike Mulvihill, Johnny Stack, Noel Larkin, Johnny Mulvihill, Eamon Fitzmaurice, Mike Flaherty, Thomas Mulvihill, Eamon Sweeney, Teddy Keane, Hamish Beaton, Paddy Mulvihill, Donal Mulvihill, Colm O Callaghan. Subs, Bobby Sheehy, Mike Scanlon, Ritchie Stack, Chris Larkin, Brendan Stack, Sean Walsh.        The North Kerry Football Board Officers for 1988 were as follows; President, Johnny Walsh, Chairman, Bernard O Callaghan, Vice Chairmen, John Stack, and Joe Langan, Secretary, Tom Fitzgerald, P R Os, Tom Fitzgerald and Joe Langan, Bord Na Nog Secretary, Teddy Keane, Treasurers, Connie Shine, Mikie Kennelly, Jotty Holly. Development Officer, Tom Fitzgerald. St. Senans.         That the late Mick Brosnan, Moyvane who captained Kerry to victory in the All Ireland Minor Final of 1950 and later in 1953 won All Ireland Senior Championship with Kerry when they defeated Armagh in the final The same Mick Brosnan played with the Shannon Rangers Senior football team in both the 1949 and 1950 County Championship, going down to the eventual winners, Castleisland at the semi final stage in the latter year. That the North Kerry Football Board is constituted of the following Officers, elected annually at Convention and the 1991 Officers were as follows; Hon. President, Johnny Walsh, Ballylongford, Chairman, Bernard O Callaghan, Beale, Vice Chairmen, Joe Langan, Tarbert, John Stack, St. Senans, Secretary, Tom Fitzgerald, Finuge, Treasurers, Michael Collins, Emmets, Aidan Galvin, Finuge, Michael Lynch, Ballylongford, Scor Officer, Jackie Walsh, St. Senans, P R O, Billy Enright, Ballylongford, Development Officer, Tom Fitzgerald, St. Senans, Sub Committees, G P C, Chairman, John Stack, St. Senans, Michael Lynch, Ballylongford, Liam Dennehy, Duagh, Willi Joe Leahy, Knockanure. Referees Committee, Chairman, Joe Langan, Tarbert, Secretary, Mick Flavin, Ballydonoghue. Bord Na Nog, Chairman Joe Langan, Tarbert, Secretary Teddy Keane, Moyvane.

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Did you know that the inaugural meeting of the Castleisland Gaelic Sports Club was held in August 1885, (only 8 months after the G A A was founded), at Millview. A team called Castleisland played championship games in 1889 and 1890 against Killarney, (Croke), Lixnaw, (Sir Charles Russells), Castlegregory, Tralee,(John Mitchels) and Killorglin (Laune Rangers). Castleisland Desmonds were one of the first clubs to affiliate to the newly County Board and played in the first County Senior Final against John Mitchels. In 1903 Denny Breen and Roddy Kirwan played on the first Kerry team to win an All Ireland. The first major honour was won in 1950 when a Castleisland District won the County Senior Championship.1951 saw the present Desmonds club reformed and remains so to this day. The current grounds was purchased for £600 and the first game (Kerry v Cork) was played on Sunday May 4th 1952. In the late 1970s and 80s the club won every honour that they competed for; All Ireland Senior Club Championship in 1985, 2 Munster titles, Kerry Club Championships;County Intermediate Championships, County Leagues, North Kerry Leagues and Championships and their latest victory was in the All Ireland Celebrity Bainisteoir when they brought more glory to the Club by defeating Ballymun Kickhams in the final on Friday October 29th at Parnell Park. The only honour to elude the Club was a County Senior Football Championship although many Desmonds players were part of the Castleisland District team that lost the 1979 final against a star studded Austin Stacks; however the Castleislan District victorious 1950 side saw Willie Lyons, Jimmy McCarthy, Tadhg Prendiville, Con O Connor, Dermot Hanifin and Jerry O Sullivan bring County Senior Football Championship medals to the Desmonds Club in that particular year.

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Did you know that Johnny Bunyans, name is revered by all who cherish the qualities that make the great player. Johnny Bunyan, Ballydonoghue was a great player and a versatile player, has given trojan service to every team he has ever played for and has displayed his talents on such famed grounds as Croke Park, Wembley Stadium and Gaelic Park, New York.. This week we take a look at the many teams he played with and some of his many achievements on the field of play during a long and distinguished career. Johnny first started off playing with Ballydonoghue and played at all grades with the club; he also togged out with Ballyconry when Ballydonoghue didn’t have a senior team in 1974, County championship football with both Shannon Rangers and Feale Rangers. He played for Kerry at all grades in football and with the County in hurling at senior, junior and intermediate. Munster substitute on the 1979 team. Others he played for were Kerry Co-op Inter-firm football and hurling, Kerry Post Office Inter-firm football, Hurling with Ballyduff at all grades and Ladies Walk and Listowel. Ratoo Rovers and Dromartin soccer clubs and last but not least played rugby with Listowel. Now his achievements on the field of play included; All Ireland Senior championship medal with Kerry in 1975, All Ireland Junior medal with Kerry in 1972, All Ireland B hurling medal with Kerry in 1976, All Ireland Post Office medal in 1974, Munster senior championship medal with Kerry in 1975, Munster Junior football medal with Kerry 1969, Munster Under 21 medal with Kerry in 1969, All Ireland Inter-Firm medal (Kerry Co-op)1983. County senior football Championship medals with both Shannon Rangers, (1972) and Feale Rangers, (1978) and a Kerryman Shield final with Shannon Rangers in 1974, 6 County Senior Hurling Championship medals with Ballyduff, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1983. Johnny was voted Kerry Hurler of the Year on two occasions and won various North Kerry Minor, Under 21, Junior and Senior hurling and football medals along with a Novice football championship with Ballydonoghue in 1978. A remarkable record for a remarkable sportsman.