Terrace Talk - Weeshie's Week

The King is Dead, Long Live the King

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Whether by accident or design, let the readers decide for themselves, my column here last week was dedicated entirely to the spectacular career of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and when this paper was published on the Wednesday the news broke very same day that the legendary manager was in fact resigning from his illustrious position after twenty six hightly successful years in charge of this iconic club. Thousand of words have been spoken and written since his dramatic announcement and the news received world wide media attention. Now however it is all about the new man David Moyes and only time will tell if he is the "right man" for what is one of the biggest jobs in world football. And the right man to take on the most daunting job in football was to be 'cut from the same ... read more »

what is the secret of Ferguson's long and continued success story at United?

Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Behind every highly successful team or club especially those who remain at the very top of their chosen sport over a long period there is always a man who plans, guides and directs all aspects of that particular accomplishment. To draw a GAA equivalent here in Kerry we had great trainors/managers, Dr Eamonn o Sullivan, Con Brosnan, Jackie Lyne, Paudie o Se, Jack o Connor and Mick o Dwyer who has won more major trophies than all others in the history of the game . These men who when Kerry were in the doldrums guided them to Munster Championships, National Leagues and All Irelands. Sir Alex Ferguson the manager of Manchester United is without any argument what-so-ever one of those people. One of the most decorated and successful managers in the history of sport Fergusons insatiable ... read more »

Silver Jubilee celebrations planned for St. Brendan's Basketball All Ireland

Sun, 05 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A SPECIAL event to celebrate the silver jubilee of the St. Brendan's College Killarney All Ireland Basketball victory in 1988 will take place at The Malton Hotel, Killarney on Friday 17th May. The St. Brendans team clinched the All Ireland Senior Colleges 'A' Basketball Championship title on January 31st 1988 and preparations are at an advanced stage to mark the 25th anniversary of the success. Details of the event were outlined at a launch function which was attended by school representatives, former players and sponsors in The Malton Hotel on Sunday night. The 1988 team plan to roll back the years and play the current St. Brendan's school team in a novelty challenge match on May 17th at 3.00 PM. in St. Brendan's College Gym. This will be followed by the official ... read more »

Profile of Eugene Moriarty

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Eugene Moriarty was born in 1974) into a family steeped in cycling tradition starting with his Grand-Father Gene Moriarty, one of Kerry's Grass Track Stars in the late 1940's and early 50's. Eugene started racing in the Kelly-Roche era of the early 80's at nine years of age. He quickly moved through the under age ranks with many successes country wide and winning under age Irish titles for the Listowel club under his first coach, Jimmy Healy. He moved on to the International stage at sixteen when selected on the Irish Under eighteen team to race in France. He had many successes at this level with Kerry Ras hero John Mangan now his coach. He won the European 2 Day International in Manchester; one of the biggest ever wins for an Irish cyclist at under eighteen level. Eugene had finished his ... read more »

A Dream Comes True as I don the Green and Gold 1959

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Sunday July 5th 1959 remains indelibly etched in my treasure trove of Kerry football memories because that day on my home pitch of Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney I played for the Kerry minors and donned the famous green and gold jersey for the very first time. It is the dream of every young boy whoever kicks a football in the Kingdom to play for the county minor side. That is the very first step on a journey one hopes will bring him to Croke Park on All Ireland senior final day. And that day in 1959 I had taken that tenuous first step. I was the goalkeeper when we faced Clare in the Munster semi-final and selection came following a series of trial matches. I had been playing in goal for my club's senior side for the previous two years and had shown good form and lining out in the ... read more »

Cork defeat Kerry in the Minor Championship

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500

How often have we said in recent years when Kerry and Cork meet at under age level the rebel county players were much stronger, bigger built and much more physical that their Kerry opponents? Fairly often I suggest. And why is it that in these recent clashes when push comes to shove in the closing minutes of championship games Cork are much better in the art of winning or drawing in those closing hectic minutes. Well we saw the same scenario unfolding before a troubled Kerry crowd at Austin Stack Park last Friday as Cork once again gave Kerry a lesson in how to win minor games playing the so called "modern" style of football. Quite simply Corks physique gave them the platform to simply brush past their opponents while the Kerry lads much weaker physically had to constantly as they ... read more »

GAA Family Silver

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A new book which has just come to hand "GAA Family Silver", details the stories and people behind one hundred and one cups and trophies competed for each year at home and abroad. Former Waterford hurler and Dublin hurling manager Humphrey Kelleher is the author of this superb production and it is simply packed with golden nuggets of information from cover to cover in what is a eye-catching glossy two hundred page production The GAA is lucky to have untiring enthusiasts like Humphrey whose interests extend to producing books unrelated to mainstream GAA topics. It helps greatly to enhance an ever-broader history of the Association in its many forms. Humphrey who was my guest recently on Radio Kerrys Terrace Talk has focused on the GAA's main cups and trophies, one hundred and one of ... read more »

The Kingdom hasn�t gone away you know

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his side line general's will feel very well pleased with themselves following the long trip to Omagh last Sunday and at the end of the day it's a case of mission accomplished, league over, consigned to the history books, and its full steam ahead for the championship. And the big talking point in the very modern but cramped media centre in Healy Park Omagh following the full time whistle was the fact that Paul Mannion's last minute point for Dublin against Donegal had saved Kerry from the ignominy of relegation to the second division of the league and Donegal would take their place for the big drop. And lets be clear about this, relegation, despite what was said to the contrary would have a been a bitter blow to Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his beloved Kingdom, and when ... read more »

South Kerry Gathering of the Clans

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The South Kerry Gathering of the Clans under the guidance of the dynamic Joe McGill and his committee hosted a memorable evening in the Waterville Lake Hotel last Saturday and I was delighted to be invited to the event in the capacity of MC. It was a night celebrating the achievements of some of South Kerry's most famous sons and daughters, a night of music, chat, and entertainment. The chosen guests for the evening have brought great pride to South Kerry across a range of fields from sport to culture, to business, and so on, both at home and abroad. And it was in the sporting arena that I was particularly interested especially when informed of the two sporting personalities who were to be honored. Little need to delve into the history of Mick o Dwyer, the Waterville GAA legend one ... read more »

Tribute to Brendan Fullam

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Brendan Fullam the best selling Gaelic games author and a real gentleman was laid to rest in Saint Mary's Cemetery Enniscorthy on Monday 11th February. He was a native of Ardagh but gone from the village since his youthful days to embark on a banking career. He worked for The National Bank as a bank official in Killorglin, Kilrush, Clifden, Ballyshannon, Wexford and Tralee, and he played hurling with all the local teams while working there. He also played a few underage games for the local team, and he was picked to play for Kerry minor hurlers but the Killorglin club refused to let him play. This was something he regretted as it would have been a proud moment to put on the green and gold jersey and possibly progress to their senior team. He served as Bank Manager in Killorglin, The ... read more »

Farewell to Sean Og O'Ceallach�in

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Sean Og O'Ceallacháin the legendary Radio presenter on Sunday last 17th February. He was a much loved figure who was admired and respected across the land. His voice was instantly recognized by all followers of Gaelic games, and he was very proud of Dublin and his native Limerick. He was a friend and near neighbour of the late Kevin Heffernan who blazed his own trail of success with Dublin as a player and manager. It has been a sad few weeks for all followers of our traditional pastimes, with the passing also of Jimmy Smyth (who I used to correspond with over the years) the Clare player who was one of the greatest hurlers never to win an All Ireland medal and best selling author Brendan Fullam. We will not hear or see their likes again ... read more »

Tributes to Bobby Buckley

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Bobby Buckley – Footballer and Outstanding Educator They came from all over Ireland and in particular from within Kerry and Cork to pay their respects to one of North Kerry's great sons – Bobby Buckley whose demise came all too soon and as a notable shock to those who knew him and especially to those of us who worked with him. Commitment, determination and a phenomenal sense of loyalty were the hallmarks that stood him apart. His extraordinary range of achievements are recorded as being at the highest level and standard in the fields of sport, culture, education, economy and Kerry !!! Kerry football had witnessed lean years in the period from 1946 to its breakthrough in 1953 when the annual pilgrimage to Fitzgerald Stadium took seventeen trains to bring the optimistic ... read more »

Cooper and Galvin return to see off Cork in the National League

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Kerry's comprehensive win over age old rivals Cork last Sunday was all about collecting the two points so desperately needed as a trip to Tyrone approaches and you could literally sense the apprehension and urgency in the Kerry players as the first half unfolded. Playing before the often critical home supporters it was well into the second half before the side began to play with a bit of freedom and relaxation. And it was the interduction of Colm Copper and Paul Galvin with fifteen minutes to go that finally assured the two points to Kerry. The fact that Colm came on and played at center forward is for me very significant and maybe signals the selector's plans for him in this position as the championship approaches. He literally ran the show from here setting up Kieran D Donaghy for his ... read more »

First win for Kerry in the National League against Down

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Two invaluable national league points collected last Saturday against a very disappointing Down side will set Kerry up nicely for another as always mouthwatering clash against Cork in Tralee next Sunday. And thankfully from my viewpoint anyway the game is on in the afternoon and not under those accursed lights which in my opinion take away the real sense of occasion and limits the spectator's enjoyment of the occasion, before, during and after the game. Of course many supporters are in favour of evening games but as a traditionalist "under lights" will never be my cup of tea. Two in the one week, under twenty ones and seniors was quite enough for me. It was a must win match for Kerry last Saturday and after just fifteen minutes the returning Declan o Sullivan had set the tone ... read more »

Kerry meet Cork in the Munster U21 Championship and remembering Paddy Downey

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

No matter what way you look at this under twenty one clash with Cork next Wednesday in Pairc Ui Rinn you will really be just second guessing in relation as to who will come out on top. It is my experience dealing with county under age sides, especially at this grade, even more so than minor one has little or no form to base facts and figures on. However the one big fact in relation to this fixture is that Cork have won the last two meeting between the counties and probably more importantly they have eleven of last years winning side available to the selectors. Indeed Cork are closing in on Kerry's record twenty five Munster under 21 titles, they have won twenty three and have won eleven All Irelands in this grade in comparison to Kerrys ten All Irelands. So make what you want of that. ... read more »