Post by ballynamona on Nov 22, 2014 13:01:18 GMT
I came across this lately in an old Kerryman (December 1956) while researching something. Kerrygold's thread re the best team since 1975 makes this quite apt. I know there are posters like himself who are knowledgeable re this era.
In 1956, St Brendan's Board held a competition to name the best Kerry XV from 1913. Three players were nominated for each position. The prize of £50 was won by Daniel O'Connor, Upper Lisroe, Duagh, Kilmorna. Unfortunately I don't have details of who was listed for each position. The articles I found were some months after the competition. The selected men were decided by the votes of the entrants for the specific positions. This was the winning selection
------------------Dan O'Keeffe
Maurice McCarthy Joe Barrett Jack Murphy
Paul Russell Bill Casey Eddie Walsh
-----Con Brosnan Pat 'Aeroplane' O'Shea
Jackie Ryan Dick Fitzgerald Tadghie Lyne
Johnny Skinner Paddy Burke JJ 'Purty' Landers
A man writing under the name "Castleconway" wrote to the County Board with his selection. He was a Kerryman living in Dublin. 'P.F' of the Kerryman thought Castleconway a keen judge, and that his letter merited publication.
Here is Castleconway's XV
------------------Dan O'Keeffe
Maurice McCarthy Joe Barrett Tom Costelloe
Paul Russell Jackie Lyne Tom Rice
-----Pat 'Aeroplane' O'Shea Con Brosnan
Jackie Ryan Dick Fitzgerald JJ Sheehy
Johnny Skinner Tom 'Gega' O'Connor JJ 'Purty' Landers
I'll just give a few highlights of Castleconway's letter.
In full-back, he gave the nod to Joe Barrett marginally over Jack Lawlor of the 1913-14 champions, primarily because of Joe Barrett's playing association with Dan O'Keeffe.
Phil O'Sullivan loses out in the FB line because, though a great player, his "impetuoisty and enthusiasm might make him a trifle over-robust at times".
Dee O'Connor (Kilcummin) marginally loses out to Maurice McCarthy (who won 5 AI medals, starting in 1903).
Jack Murphy died tragically between the drawn final and the replay of 1926. Castleconway omits him on the grounds that longevity in the team was one of the criteria he set.
At centre-half back, Paddy Healy of the 1913-1914 era would "merit inclusion in any company"
At wing-back, Tom Rice and Paul Russell were both right-wing backs, and Castleconway picked them both, moving Tom Rice to the left. He regrets displacing Tim O'Donnell on the left.
In the forwards, Con Clifford of 1913-1914 era just loses out to Jackie Ryan.
Castleconway omits Paddy Burke of the 1946 team as his career was cut short by injury. He also has 'Gega' O'Connor picked out of position to accommodate him. Gega was a centre-forward.
It is certainly interesting to read about the partciular attributes of old players rather than just their names and clubs. Dick Fitzgerald was known for putting over points from impossible angles, and is chosen by Castleconway as captain.
In 1956, St Brendan's Board held a competition to name the best Kerry XV from 1913. Three players were nominated for each position. The prize of £50 was won by Daniel O'Connor, Upper Lisroe, Duagh, Kilmorna. Unfortunately I don't have details of who was listed for each position. The articles I found were some months after the competition. The selected men were decided by the votes of the entrants for the specific positions. This was the winning selection
------------------Dan O'Keeffe
Maurice McCarthy Joe Barrett Jack Murphy
Paul Russell Bill Casey Eddie Walsh
-----Con Brosnan Pat 'Aeroplane' O'Shea
Jackie Ryan Dick Fitzgerald Tadghie Lyne
Johnny Skinner Paddy Burke JJ 'Purty' Landers
A man writing under the name "Castleconway" wrote to the County Board with his selection. He was a Kerryman living in Dublin. 'P.F' of the Kerryman thought Castleconway a keen judge, and that his letter merited publication.
Here is Castleconway's XV
------------------Dan O'Keeffe
Maurice McCarthy Joe Barrett Tom Costelloe
Paul Russell Jackie Lyne Tom Rice
-----Pat 'Aeroplane' O'Shea Con Brosnan
Jackie Ryan Dick Fitzgerald JJ Sheehy
Johnny Skinner Tom 'Gega' O'Connor JJ 'Purty' Landers
I'll just give a few highlights of Castleconway's letter.
In full-back, he gave the nod to Joe Barrett marginally over Jack Lawlor of the 1913-14 champions, primarily because of Joe Barrett's playing association with Dan O'Keeffe.
Phil O'Sullivan loses out in the FB line because, though a great player, his "impetuoisty and enthusiasm might make him a trifle over-robust at times".
Dee O'Connor (Kilcummin) marginally loses out to Maurice McCarthy (who won 5 AI medals, starting in 1903).
Jack Murphy died tragically between the drawn final and the replay of 1926. Castleconway omits him on the grounds that longevity in the team was one of the criteria he set.
At centre-half back, Paddy Healy of the 1913-1914 era would "merit inclusion in any company"
At wing-back, Tom Rice and Paul Russell were both right-wing backs, and Castleconway picked them both, moving Tom Rice to the left. He regrets displacing Tim O'Donnell on the left.
In the forwards, Con Clifford of 1913-1914 era just loses out to Jackie Ryan.
Castleconway omits Paddy Burke of the 1946 team as his career was cut short by injury. He also has 'Gega' O'Connor picked out of position to accommodate him. Gega was a centre-forward.
It is certainly interesting to read about the partciular attributes of old players rather than just their names and clubs. Dick Fitzgerald was known for putting over points from impossible angles, and is chosen by Castleconway as captain.