On Saturday night August 27th a wonderful occasion was held in the River Island Hotel for the Desmonds men of the 1971 North Kerry League winning team.
Club PRO Eilish O’Leary sent the following report:
The 50th anniversary, albeit one year late due to Covid, honored the team’s achievements from November 7th 1971 on a wintery Listowel GAA pitch when they beat Finuge 4-8 to 0-11.
The celebrations organsing commitee consisted of: Jack Nolan, Wille Dom O’Connor, Donal Duke O’Connor, Dr. Dave Geaney, Eamon P. O’Connor, John B. Pender and Paudie Herlihy who began their preparations over two months ago.
Players’ Reunion
They were delighted to see club members and players travel from Cork, Galway, Wexford and Limerick for the occasion.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Willie Dom O’Connor, said it was wonderful to see so many of the panel on the night and he acknowledge those that are no longer with us, notably: Timmy O’ Sullivan, represented by his son Tommy; Donal Kelliher, represented by his son Simon; Jimmy Greaney, James ‘Chassie’ Cronin, Gay Carty and Jim O Connor, Barrack Street.
Some of the players came forward and spoke of the hard training sessions, stories about each game and of course the match celebrations afterwards.
Fondly Remembered Social
A social was held for the victorious team at the time in the Manhattan Hotel which they all fondly remembered.
One very important and remarkable statistic from the evening was explained by Willie Dom O’ Connor in that the manager of the 1971 team was Dr. Dave Geaney and 50 years later in 2021 he managed ‘the double’ with the senior team, winning the North Kerry League and championship titles.
It was a wonderful night of celebration and nostalgia – congratulations to everyone involved.
The following report of that November 7th. 1971 North Kerry League final appeared in The Kerryman on the issue of November 12th 1971.
Desmonds Bring off Great Win in North Kerry
They came they saw they conquered. This classical quotation can be applied to the feats of the Desmonds, Castleisland team who won the North Kerry senior league at their very first attempt by beating Finuge by 4-5 to 0-11 at Listowel on Sunday last.
An unknown quantity some months ago, Desmonds now find themselves undisputed kingpins of football in the North Kerry area.
To become champions they had to fight many a hard game and non more so than in last Sunday’s final against the reigning champions which was watched by a very large attendance.
Dream Start for Desmonds
Desmonds got off to a dream start when they had the ball in the Finuge net right from the throw-in. Dave Geaney drew out Timmy O’Sullivan and a blunder by a corner-back allowed Brendan O’Rourke through. O’Rourke gave the Finuge goalie no chance with a great shot.
However, Finuge were not in any way downhearted and in fact immediately began to take control of the game.
They were completely on top at midfield where Jimmy Deenihan and Gerry Galvin proved far too good for Mike Joe O’Sullivan and John O’ Connor. As a result Finuge were constantly on the attack and drew level after seven minutes.
The Deacon Strikes
However, in the tenth minute, tragedy struck for Finuge when, from a fast break-away Desmonds again put the ball in the net. Dave Geaney ran out 50 yards to an incoming ball and having got possession went towards the sideline taking Timmy O’Sullivan with him.
He then sent the ball goalwards and Ted O’Connor gained possession out near the corner flag. O’Connor sent a low shot across the front of the goal and John Horan finished it to the net.
Thus Desmonds were three points ahead completely against the the run of play.
Duke’s Magnificant Point
After this Finuge again took over and were constantly on the attack, but while their approach work was first class their finish was very poor and resulted in many lost chances.
It was not until the 23rd minute that they drew level again.
Two good points by Tod Nolan and Patsy Galvin gave Finuge a two point lead approaching half-time.
At this stage Desmonds were settling down better and just before the whistle ‘Duke’ O’Connor scored a magnificant point from over forty yards out and near the sideline.
This left the score at 0-8 to 2-1 in Finuge’s favour.
Desmonds on Top at Midfield
Desmonds had one change in personnel for the second half. Timmy O’Sullivan coming on for Eamon O’Sullivan. They also made a number of positional switches. Timmy O’Sullivan took over at center half-back, Maurice. Brosnan went left half, Paul Geaney right half and Dick Geaney went from the ’40’ to midfield in a switch with John O’Connor.
Early in the second half these switches began to pay off as Mike Joe O’Sullivan and Dick Geaney were now getting on top at midfield and Timmy O’Sullivan had sealed the gap up the centre.
Finuge With a Fighting Chance
Desmonds had their first score after six minutes following a lovely movement started by Timmy O’Sullivan. He sent the ball to John Horan who found Dave Geaney and the latter parted to Ted O’Connor who finished the move with a lovely point. Desmonds led by two points.
Two minutes later, the scores were again level in the 15th minute when Christy O’Sullivan from a free and a great point from play by Tom Carey put Finuge back with a fighting chance.
Five minutes later came Desmond’s third goal. The score which really decided the issue.
Finuge Camped in Attack
Dave Geaney got possession out in the right corner and sent a great ball into the goal mouth. Ted O’Connor and Brendan O’Rourke went high for it, O’Connor finishing it to the net.
Christy O’Sullivan pointed a free for Finuge, but Ted O’Connor had a similar score for Desmonds a minute later, and now, with seven minutes remaining. Finuge were trailing by three points.
The North Kerry side threw everything into attack and in fact almost ‘camped’ in the Desmonds half for the remainder of the game.
Power-Full Goalkeeping
However, they seemed intent on going for the equalising goal and paid the penalty because they could not break through a resolute Desmonds defence.
Desmonds’ goalkeeper, Eamon O’Connor was outstanding, bringing off several great saves.
On the one occasion when he was beaten full-back Donal Kelliher came from nowhere to sweep the ball from the goal line.
O’Rourke’s Blasted Goal
By having all their men upfield, Finuge paid the penalty when, from a quick Desmonds breakaway Dave Geaney placed Brendan O’Rourke who ran unchallenged to the edge of the square and blasted the ball past a helpless Finuge goalie.
Immediately afterwards, the fulltime whistle sounded.
The Desmonds Team
Desmonds: Eamon P. O’Connor, Jack Nolan, Donal Kelliher, James ‘Chassie’ Cronin, Eamon O’Sullivan, Maurice Brosnan, Paul Geaney, J. O’Connor, Mike Joe. O’Sullivan, Donal ‘Duke’ O’Connor, Dick Geaney, Ted O’Connor, Brendan O’Rourke, Dr.Dave Geaney, John ‘Deacon’ Horan,
Subs: Timmy O’Sullivan for Eamon O’Sullivan, Niall Geaney for John O’Connor.
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