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Post by mafi97 on Jul 17, 2021 23:12:29 GMT
I was so sorry to learn that Jo Jo has passed away. My condolences to all his family. I did not have any real connection with JJ, in the sense that I am not a Stacks man. But good fortune brought him into my path so often over the decades. I always felt my life was enhanced after each encounter with Jo Jo. I liked him on the pitch and I was lucky to enjoy his company off it. May he Rest in Peace.
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Post by veteran on Jul 18, 2021 10:06:43 GMT
Jo Jo Barrett was an interesting man. Initially, he came to the consciousness of Kerry football supporters because he was the son of Joe Barrett who won several All-Ireland medals as a full back in the nineteen twenties, I remember Jo Jo playing for Kerry in the full back line in the very early sixties in Listowel in a challenge game. That day he gave a fabulous display of high fielding at a time when that art was revered , still is of course but too rarely seen. I imagine he was barely out of the minor ranks . He was on every one’s lips after the game and it was anticipated that he would quickly make his senior championship debut as a defender. Unfortunately for Jo Jo , back around that time Kerry has a glut of backs and midfielders and a dearth of forwards. Accordingly , he played in the full forward line circa 1964/1965 when Galway beat Kerry on both occasions. I think 1965 may have been his last year with Kerry even though he was still a very young man. I am not sure why that was the case.
He won a senior medal in 1962 , coming on as a sub. I suspect he was on the panel in 1963 when we won the NFL and I also suspect he was on the successful 1964 u21 team. Not a bad haul of national medals.
Jo Jo also did a bit of boxing and was a journalist for a number of years.
The Barrett family also featured in a bizarre Munster championship in 1957against Waterford , down in Waterford. Now, remember this was a mere two years after victory in the 1955 All-Ireland, one of the most popular of all Kerry’s successes. For some reason, I have no recollection why, Kerry found themselves with a very depleted panel in Waterford, so much so that one of Jo Jo’s brothers , who was attending as a spectator, was drafted in to play in goals and another brother , who was attending as reporter , was added to the substitutes’ bench, Stranger than fiction! No surprise then that Waterford won.
In a later incarnation, Jo Jo became the Wexford manager. After one match, incensed by refereeing decisions , Jo Jo struck the referee. Presumably, the blow was expertly delivered by a man who dabbled in boxing. The referee was Michael Curley, who rose to superintendent in the Garda Siochana. Needless to say there was uproar over this incident .But consistent with the man’s character there was no pleading by Jo Jo that there were mitigating circumstances. He immediately confessed his guilt and was summarily and appropriately dealt with by the GAA. I forget what the punishment was.
Of course the behavior of Jo Jo could have left him open to criminal/civil charges by Michel Curley. However, in an astonishing gesture of magnanimous forgiveness Michael Curley treated what happened as an impulsive , spur of the moment action. I heard Jo Jo discussing the affair in a radio interview and his shame and contrition was bouncing out of the radio. I can clearly remember him saying that “ Michael Curley was a far bigger man than me”. Without the benefit of knowing him , I have no doubt his apology and regret came from the depths of his heart. A passionate football man who wore that heart on both sleeves.
There is no doubt that Jo Jo was no ordinary man . Compelling and complex. Possessing a lot of layers. Rest easy, Jo Jo .
P.S. The foregoing was compiled with the aid of a faulty memory. I would be interested in hearing the recollections of others .
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Post by southward on Jul 18, 2021 10:32:49 GMT
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Post by piggott on Jul 18, 2021 11:23:19 GMT
His book "in the Name of the Game" an iconic history of how Kerry emerged from the Civil war and went on to establish Kerry as the kingpins of Gaelic football over the next 20 years.
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Post by Mickmack on Jul 18, 2021 11:53:00 GMT
His book "in the Name of the Game" an iconic history of how Kerry emerged from the Civil war and went on to establish Kerry as the kingpins of Gaelic football over the next 20 years. Probably the best GAA book i have read. I have a signed copy. |
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mossie
Fanatical Member
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Post by mossie on Jul 18, 2021 18:01:21 GMT
I think JJ played a bit of hurling with the Rock too
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Post by Ballyfireside on Jul 18, 2021 23:11:47 GMT
Jo Jo Barrett was an interesting man. Initially, he came to the consciousness of Kerry football supporters because he was the son of Joe Barrett who won several All-Ireland medals as a full back in the nineteen twenties, I remember Jo Jo playing for Kerry in the full back line in the very early sixties in Listowel in a challenge game. That day he gave a fabulous display of high fielding at a time when that art was revered , still is of course but too rarely seen. I imagine he was barely out of the minor ranks . He was on every one’s lips after the game and it was anticipated that he would quickly make his senior championship debut as a defender. Unfortunately for Jo Jo , back around that time Kerry has a glut of backs and midfielders and a dearth of forwards. Accordingly , he played in the full forward line circa 1964/1965 when Galway beat Kerry on both occasions. I think 1965 may have been his last year with Kerry even though he was still a very young man. I am not sure why that was the case. He won a senior medal in 1962 , coming on as a sub. I suspect he was on the panel in 1963 when we won the NFL and I also suspect he was on the successful 1964 u21 team. Not a bad haul of national medals. Jo Jo also did a bit of boxing and was a journalist for a number of years. The Barrett family also featured in a bizarre Munster championship in 1957against Waterford , down in Waterford. Now, remember this was a mere two years after victory in the 1955 All-Ireland, one of the most popular of all Kerry’s successes. For some reason, I have no recollection why, Kerry found themselves with a very depleted panel in Waterford, so much so that one of Jo Jo’s brothers , who was attending as a spectator, was drafted in to play in goals and another brother , who was attending as reporter , was added to the substitutes’ bench, Stranger than fiction! No surprise then that Waterford won. In a later incarnation, Jo Jo became the Wexford manager. After one match, incensed by refereeing decisions , Jo Jo struck the referee. Presumably, the blow was expertly delivered by a man who dabbled in boxing. The referee was Michael Curley, who rose to superintendent in the Garda Siochana. Needless to say there was uproar over this incident .But consistent with the man’s character there was no pleading by Jo Jo that there were mitigating circumstances. He immediately confessed his guilt and was summarily and appropriately dealt with by the GAA. I forget what the punishment was. Of course the behavior of Jo Jo could have left him open to criminal/civil charges by Michel Curley. However, in an astonishing gesture of magnanimous forgiveness Michael Curley treated what happened as an impulsive , spur of the moment action. I heard Jo Jo discussing the affair in a radio interview and his shame and contrition was bouncing out of the radio. I can clearly remember him saying that “ Michael Curley was a far bigger man than me”. Without the benefit of knowing him , I have no doubt his apology and regret came from the depths of his heart. A passionate football man who wore that heart on both sleeves. There is no doubt that Jo Jo was no ordinary man . Compelling and complex. Possessing a lot of layers. Rest easy, Jo Jo . P.S. The foregoing was compiled with the aid of a faulty memory. I would be interested in hearing the recollections of others . Was there a John Barrett who penned the 'London Calling' column in the Kerryman in the 'late '80s? He regaled a great one told in Wimbledon of a night of an English Derby by one John Francie Ahern about the day he gave Gus Cremin a game of it, moreover as Ballydonoghue had a foot on Beale in that contest. I recall John Francie on his toes as he delivered a blow by blow animated account of the encounter and you'd have to believe it - ya couldn't make it up. Challenging county players is a tradition that lives on and I've seen it with Murphy to this day in Donegal. In between I recall Eamonn Jet Carroll giving Horse the run around in Listowel Emmets' Frank Sheehy Park of an evening and didn't our own Billy Keane single-handedly mark Johnny Mulvihill along with at least one of his brothers out of it in Moyvane of a Sunday afternoon. Such prowess, you'd wonder how Billy never made to Croker though history tells us that he turned to rugby, being a bigger man's game - tough as old boots, packed some punch - few could ever handle one Mulvihill not to mind a pair of 'em - credit where 'tiz due! Maybe 'twas Deenihan who trained him up and sure he couldn't have a better master! |
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Post by hurlingman on Jul 28, 2021 8:03:05 GMT
It's odd how he finished up so young with Kerry. But could have been any reason for that. Sean Óg Sheehy the captain of that team was down quite young as well. Do you have any idea what happned there veteran?
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Post by veteran on Jul 28, 2021 11:52:43 GMT
It's odd how he finished up so young with Kerry. But could have been any reason for that. Sean Óg Sheehy the captain of that team was down quite young as well. Do you have any idea what happned there veteran? Hurlingman, I have no idea why Jo Jo packed his bags at the age of 22 approx. Reading about Jo Jo , one always got the impression he marched to the beat of his own drum. Around the same time Tom Long, one of the greatest Kerry footballers I have seen, retired at the age of 26 approx. Why ? Only Tom knows. |
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tpo
Senior Member
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Post by tpo on Jul 28, 2021 14:09:13 GMT
I think Tom had back problems, medical treatment wasn't great then. Was a natural force of a footballer
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Post by Ballyfireside on Jul 28, 2021 16:01:56 GMT
I think Tom had back problems, medical treatment wasn't great then. Was a natural force of a footballer Up there with Jack O'Shea in Donegal GAA lore. Incidentally some feel that maybe Michael Murphy felt compelled to play despite his injury so Donegal haven't gone anywhere. Still should management have restrained him? Ah easy to be wise after the event and Ulster will only be more interesting with the talent pool that is being nurtured. |
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Post by hurlingman on Jul 29, 2021 8:41:19 GMT
It's odd how he finished up so young with Kerry. But could have been any reason for that. Sean Óg Sheehy the captain of that team was down quite young as well. Do you have any idea what happned there veteran? Hurlingman, I have no idea why Jo Jo packed his bags at the age of 22 approx. Reading about Jo Jo , one always got the impression he marched to the beat of his own drum. Around the same time Tom Long, one of the greatest Kerry footballers I have seen, retired at the age of 26 approx. Why ? Only Tom knows. Sean Og Sheehy the captain wouldn't have been much more than 25 when he finished up as well. Only played for another year i think. I would think fellas would have been playing at senior level a lot younger in those days and the game would have been a bit on the lawless side at times so injures would have been common enough but would have little treatment. |
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