PORTMAGEE ARE CHAMPIONS AGAIN AFTER 22 YEARS!
Portmagee Skellig Rangers 0-11
Cahersiveen St. Mary’s 0-4
Back Rown from left: Tom Murphy, Pat’s McGill, Johnny Casey, Nealie Murphy, Brendan Casey, Jim Spillane, Frank Kennedy, Miky Joe Shea, Vincent O’Connell.
Fitter, faster and by far the side with the greater dash and determination, Portmagee Skellig Rangers emerged clear-cut 0-11 to 0-4 winners over Cahersiveen St. Mary’s in the South Kerry senior football final at the Con Keating Park, Cahersiveen on Sunday.
From the very first minute, when Brendan Casey shot a lovely point, Portmagee performed with steady purpose and assurance. Gone was the wild shooting that marked their previous appearances. Every chance that came their way was availed of and though the exchanges were even enough in the first half, Portmagee turned over with a lead of 0-7 to 0-1 at the interval. St. Mary’s squandered at least two goal-scoring chances during the first half. However, it was again Brendan Casey who drew first blood for the men from the Ferry with a fine long-range point.
Thereafter the Mary’s never really held out any promise that they would come from behind as they did against Sneem in the semi-final in such spectacular style, their attack, particularly their full-forward line, could make no impression on a wonderful Portmagee defense and goal man Tom Murphy fielded and cleared ball after ball on the goal-line without a forward getting within six feet of him.
GREAT DUEL
In a Portmagee back-line that covered itself with glory it is perhaps invidious to single out individuals, but James McGill must be mentioned for a class display at right-half and Sean Leary (Aghadda) for the manner in which he marked St. Mary’s danger man, Seamus Hoare. Ml. Shea and Jim Spillane shaded the honors in a great midfield duel, while Michael Casey, Brendan Casey, Ml. Brennan and Neilly Murphy played a major part in bringing to the picturesque little fishing village its first South Kerry Senior title in 22 years.
Scorers: Scorers for Portmagee: Ml. Brennan 0-5; Brendan Casey 0-2; Ml. Shea, M. Casey, Neilly Murphy and V. O’Connell 0-1 each.
There were scenes of great jubilation when the O’Moran Cup (donated by the Moran Family in memory of the late Denis Moran, Draper, Tralee and Limerick) was presented to the winning captain, Pat Shea paid tribute to St. Mary’s for the manner in which they took their beating and said he hoped to meet them again in next year’s final.
Portmagee: Tom Murphy (goalie), Leo Shea, P.Casey, P. O’Shea (capt.), J. O’Leary, J. Casey, J.McGill, M Shea, J. Spillane, B. Casey, M. casey, M. Brennan, V. O’Connell, F. Kennedy, Neilly Murphy
THE MEN OF 68 BY JOHN C O’ DRISCOLL
It is the dream of every team to march behind the band, And watch their colours waving, from the sideline and the stand; Then the soldiers song , and the roar of the throng, as the flag of Ireland wave, On final day of this sporting fray, only reached by the strong and brave. And so today as the sun’s bright rays, break through the gathering cloud, We’re on our way from Portmagee to join the sporting crowd, That’s moving in on Caher town, to watch and cheer with glee, The stalwart men of Cahersiveen, and the pride of Portmagee.
St. Mary’s now a mighty force, having conquered mighty Sneem, And today they’re thirsting for the blood, of this Skelligs Rangers team, But this Rangers team have won esteem, they vanquished proud Renard, So today they go to meet their foe, and receive their just award; The month it is October, Twenty-Seven is the date, And now they’re on the battlefield, in the final of Sixty-Eight, But before that day was over, the Mary’s hearts were sore, They were conquered by the Rangers, eleven points to four.
As the Moran Cup was lifted up, it was a glorious scene, And our gallant boys were shouldered high, in the Rangers gold and green; Great poets have sang of the older gang of Camo’s famed brigade, Or Jack Falvey’s men in Forty-Six, who put Waterville in the shade; But with spirits light, lets drink tonight, to the bravest of the brave, The men who brought the laurels back in Nineteen-Sixty-Eight; The names of all I’ll try to give, but my task is rather hard, Underneath the bar like the morning star, shone Murphy Tom the guard.
Through blood and sweat, he saved his net, from rebel Cork he came, And while the Rangers field a team, we’ll not forget his name.With dash and style from sweet Fermoyle, came gallant Leo Shea, For whom the crowd cheered long and loud, on his grand all round display.But the full back was our savior, not once his line was crossed, He often came from nowhere, when everything seemed lost, As solid as the Skellig Rock, stood Patie Casey bold, Whenever danger threatened, he shone in the green and gold.
On his left hand to take his stand, came skipper Pa O’Shea, As strong and bold as Fionn of old, he held the foe at bay.God bless you Johnny Casey, who starred at right half back, When the Mary’s charged along the wing, you stopped them in their track; Brave James McGill, stepped in to fill, what was our Bear-na Baol, He’s the darling of the Rangers, once the pride of Clan-na-Gael.Way down the left, John Leary kept a tight reins on young Hoare, He held St Mary’s marksman, that day without a score.
‘Twas a glorious sight at midfield, to watch Jim Spillane and Mike Joe Shea, As they brought the ball down from the clouds, and sent their men away; Where Neilly Murphy on the right, the ball he seemed to lure, His fielding was immaculate, his kicks were safe and sure.In the centre Brendan Casey, with dash and skill and speed, How he boots the leather o’er the bar, to keep Rangers in the lead.On the left played Mickey Casey, we’ll forever sing his praise, Of all the glorious games he’s had, this was his day of days, In vain they tried to mark him, he just could not be held, Like lightening through the town’s defence, he sparkled and excelled.
*Twas Mike Joe Brennan’s grandest hour, this marksman of renown, He’s the toast of all the Rangers, and the pride of famed An Gleann.There in the van to lead them on, his charges fierce but fair, His name it is Frank Kennedy, the man from County Clare.There is one more name for the roll of fame, young Vincent Connell bold, What a future lies before him, in the Rangers green and gold.There are others too, who must get their due, who helped us on the way, From Dungegan came Tom Siggerson, from the Glen came Micheal Shea.
James Mahoney came from famed Ardcost, a young and coming star, Like Patrick Grandfield from Ahanboy, I’m sure they will go far. There’s another yet we can’t forget, who helped to bring us fame, And brightly shone when called upon, Deo O’Connell is his name.To another warrior staunch and true, tonight let’s drink a fill, The man who flew from Birmingham, the sporting Pats McGill.
A word of praise I’d like to raise, for our worthy vanquished foe, Don’t be downhearted Mary’s, ye gave a gallant show, Now that you have my story, you can argue and debate, But I rank them as the greatest, the men of Sixty-Eight.
Skellig Rangers GAA 