Donie O'Sullivan 1962

[ballynamona]

I remember a thread some time back that discussed the sometimes murky business of which players outside the starting XV got all-ireland medals over the years. As I understand it there were 20 medals per squad up to 1970, with the number increasing to 21 from 1975.

Donie O'Sullivan started the semi-final v Dublin in 1962, but as a Maynooth seminarian, he was unavailable for the final. I remember Veteran in the aformentioned thread said he had wondered if he had received a medal.

I was on the Terrace Talk website and saw the below article on Pat Ahern (RIP):

www.terracetalk.com/articles/Miscellaneous/146/Pat-Ahern-This-is-your-Life

That would appear to confirm that Donie O'Sullivan received a medal in 1962.

We can extrapolate that from 1962 at the earliest, the County Board gave precedence to players who had played in the AI series when awarding medals. Of course, we all became aware of that rule in 1997 when Kerry used 21 players in the AI series (unusual in the days of 3 subs and no QF) and consequently Mike Hassett did not get a medal.

I think at an earlier point, precedence was given to the offical squad listed in the programme for the final. Particpants in a AI semi who were injured/dropped must have lost out on medals. I know Eddie Dowling of Ballydonoghue did not get a medal in 1946 despite captaining Kerry in the AI semi-final.

[Ballyfireside]

And wasn't Gus Cremin also of Ballydonoghue denied and as was Sean Deenihan RIP of our parish, and probably many more of GAA folklore. But the club made a memorable gesture and which was worth more, even if it took all of 50 years. Growing up in the parish and meeting these fellas daily, little did I know. Modesty, peerless, gentlemen, giants, etc are words that come to mind.

My own late father was involved with the parish winning a North Kerry championship, in '59. I shed a tear at his funeral when I was told all about it, he never spoke of it and the only indication I have and with hindsight was that some fellas were exceptionally endearing towards me as a garsun down the years and I just thought they were just really very friendly, now I see what they had in common. Well they were friendly but it would have been so nice to know why at the time. On dad's coffin was a jersey of Tullamore, there also was a single football boot that he shared with his two brothers, taking turns to wear and someone once said they may have been the lucky ones. Hey if you saw the stitches on it, I often wondered how he often sowed a shoe back together! I know we all have similar stories and it is no harm to share, it is not bragging and this stuff must be kept alive, it would be a sin not to.

Back in the 60's a Timmy Carr of Ballydonoghue was stopped by The Gardai in his Ford Anglia estate with 'a full team' on board. When questioned on how many he had he excitedly replied that 'he was short two'. Fact, and it wasn't smartness, dilemma inspired passion it was of course! Where would you get it? Where would you want to be? No summons ever arrived and the coldest of frozen hearted judges would have applied discretion. The civic guards had little to be dong!

If this is your thing then take a look at What They Think of Mick Finnucane in Donegal
ballythefireside.blogspot.ie/2010/02/mick-finucane-what-they-think-of-him-in.html

And this one is also along the same lines!
Micheál O'Muireartaigh lets down Isaac Newton, kicks him in the butt and raids his orchard, with a little GUBU help
ballythefireside.blogspot.ie/2010/02/micheal-omuireartaigh-lets-down-isaac.html

[ballynamona]

That's a nice story K Man, as you said it's good to keep the memories alive.

I know the story about Gus Cremin and the captaincy but believe he got a medal. When was Sean Deenihan on the panel?

[Ballyfireside]

I edited my previous post there ballynamona and yeah, it was a crystal replica of Sam Gus was presented with in recent years.

Hhere is Sean's obituary -
Sean Deenihan; 1931-2014 RIP. Sean was born in Kilomroe, Lisselton in 1931,
He attented Lisselton National School, where he started to play gaelic
football. At the same time, Ballydonoghue were emerging as a strong
senior team, with household names like Mick Finucane, Gus Cremins and
Eddie Dowling, who all wore the green and gold for Kerry. It was
players like these that Sean looked up to and indeed Sean was showing
promise at an early age, when he was selected to play for an all North
Kerry Minor team in 1948 in the County Championship. But alas, Sean
got injured and could not play.
His chance did come in 1949 and what a year it was. Selected first to
play centre field for an all North Kerry Minor team which went on to win the
County Championship by beating the Rock, Tralee by five points. From
this game three players were picked to play with the Intermediate
North Kerry team even though they were still only minors, namely, Colm
Kennelly, Ballylongford, Tommy Hennessy, Ballylongford and Sean
himself. They went on to win the Intermediate County Championship,
beating Kenmare in the final.
Next came Seans first NK Championship medal with Ballydonoghue Seniors
playing at right half forward. Sean played in five North Kerry
Championship finals in a row, namely 1949, 50, 51, 52 and 53. He won
in 49, 50 and 52. He collected his last Senior NK Championship medal
for Ballydonoghue in 1959. Although Sean was injured for the final, he
had played an important role in the earlier rounds. Sean served as Ballydonoghue club president in 2010.

P.S. He only got his '59 medal in recent years, and I think he might have said 'twas was the sweetest of them all, well it would be! Codladh samh a fear mór.