Commemorative Booklet

On

Golden Jubilee

Of

Tarbert Minor Football Team Victory

In

North Kerry Minor Championship 1952

Played At

Listowel Sportsfield

On

Sunday 7th September 1952

Tarbert     Versus    Listowel

Referee   T.Flavin

Tarbert Mentors   Mossy Joe O Connor, Patrick Dunne, Dermot Leahy, Willie Finucane.

Failte
Anthony Stack Chairman Tarbert G.A.A. Club

On my own behalf and on behalf of Tarbert G.A.A. Club I would like to extend a very warm welcome to everybody here at our social tonight. I extend a very special cead mile failte to the members of the 1952 Minor Team who won the North Kerry Championship all of fifty years ago. Fortunately all but two are alive and well today. Eddie Lanigan and Timmie Mulvihill (R.I.P.) have gone to their eternal reward. I am sure they are looking down on us here tonight.

Personally I believe that honouring this team and their achievements is a great idea. Sometimes great footballers do not always get the credit and recognition they deserve. I did not see this team play as a unit but from first hand reports and information I have received they were a talented bunch of players worthy of their success. Some of the team emigrated at a young age and their talents were lost to Tarbert but many of them stayed at home and they had long and distinguished careers in the red and black of Tarbert and some wore the green and gold for their County.

I wish the surviving members of the 1952 team continued health, happiness and success.

Any of those players and their friends who live abroad or in any part of Ireland away form Tarbert can keep in touch with Tarbert football on the website - www.tarbertgaa.com

We might also encourage you to play the club lotto each week


Congratulations
Der O Connor   Chairman North Kerry Board C.L.G.

As chairman of the North Kerry Board C.L.G. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the members of the 1952 Tarbert Minor Team on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of their North Kerry Minor victory. Owing to the intense rivalry that exists in North Kerry in all grades of football it must be of immense pride to any footballer to be victorious in any of these competitions. This must add to the sense of celebration after fifty years. It is also a matter of great satisfaction that the Tarbert club saw fit to honour this team at their annual social. As a Tarbert person I saw many of the 1952 team blossom from minor level to be the backbone of the senior team right through the 1950’s and 1960’s. I had also the pleasure of seeing them play Co. Championship football and some playing minor football for the County.

Of course this is what under age football is all about and it is my policy and the policy of the North Kerry board to encourage the youth to get involved in competitive sports because we realise that the youth of to day are the men and women of to morrow.

Without minor teams we have no senior teams and with this in mind we have a range of competitions at minor and under age levels to encourage our youth. The North Kerry Board places great emphasis on this aspect of their administration and we have found it to be of immense benefit to the general standard of football within our district board.

The clubs and the parents have also a very important role to play in this regard. With so many other distractions being encountered by our youth to day it is vital that under age football be encouraged and nurtured at club level, with as much assistance as possible from Parents.


Finbar Carrig looks back to 1952
Looking back and recalling memories of Tarbert in 1952 brings to light the great community spirit with the people of the Parish both young and old completely involved in all different events taking place.

On the football field the most important competition was the Parish League, with all games played in the Horsepark. The Horsepark was a field where the comprehensive school is now sited and we were allowed the use of it free of charge by the Late Maurice O Connor. The four teams taking part were, The Town, Tarmons, Kilcolgan and The Lower Road.

The Tarbert Carnival that was held on the first two weeks in August, with the regatta, marquee dancing and football tournaments provided a great boost for the town. It attracted huge crowds from many parts of North Kerry, West Limerick and Tarbert people from overseas.

In 1952 Tarbert had a thriving boxing club under the supervision of Garda Pat Healy (R.I.P.). Many local boxing tournaments were held both indoors and outdoors. Another weekly attraction in those years was the Monday night Pictures (films) held in the Parish Hall and run by Dermot O Brien of  Duagh. I have vivid memories of the weekly serials with one standing out clearly in my mind  ‘Custers Last Stand’

Tarbert Minor Team 1952

Willie Flynn

Francis Kelly                         Seamus O Neill                 Michael Carmody

Edward Ferris            Eugene Mulcaire                Franco Kelly

Jimmy Carmody         Timmy Mulvihill  (R.I.P.)

Peter Langan                   Michael Lanigan                  Finbar Carrig

Sean Donovan        Georgie O Connell      Eddie Lanigan (R.I.P.)


Substitutes   Tom McCarthy, Tim Kiely, Moss Mulvihill, Tom Mulcaire.
E Carmody was a valued member of the panel but was not available for selection on the day of the final due to having entered ecclesiastical college.

Kerryman Report dated 13th September 1952

Tarbert Annex Minor Final
The North Kerry football Championship was brought to a close at Listowel last Sunday, when the final of the minor division and the second replay of the Duagh - Clounmacon senior game were decided.

Tarbert beat Listowel in the minor game by 2-7 to 0-10. Both teams played very good football. Tarbert had an interval lead of 1-5 to 0-4. Listowel narrowed the lead to two points but Tarbert got through for a clever goal by E. Lanigan and added further points from frees. Scorers for Tarbert were: M.Lanigan  1-1, E.Lanigan  1-0, F.Carrig  0-2, T.Mulvihill  0-1, M.Carmody  0-1, J.Carmody  0-1.  For Listowel : D.Flaherty  0-3, P.O Connor  0-2, P.Maher  0-1, N.Canty  0-3, A. Cahill  0-1.

Mr. T. Flavin was referee.


Player Pen Pictures
Willie Flynn     Willie was custodian of the net in the 1952 final and had the honour of not conceding a goal on the day. He was a member of the Kilcolgan team that won the parish league in the same year and also won a North Kerry Intermediate medal with The Shannonsiders in 1953.Willie was a regular member of the Tarbert Senior team until he emigrated to London from where he returned in 1958 to again play with Tarbert in a  North Kerry final which unfortunately they lost. He also played for a time with London Shamrocks. Willie is now retired and resides at Main Street Ballylongford.

Francis Kelly        Francis played corner back on the victorious 1952 team. He also played minor  and junior in 1953. He played the Parish League competition with The Lower road with one victory to his credit. Francis emigrated to London and initially played with Round Towers and Shannon Rovers before moving to The Kingdom Club with whom he won many Championship and league trophies, playing in the full back position. Francis now resides in London.

Seamus O Neill            Seamus was fullback on the occasion of the 1952 final and as expected gave a masterful display. He was the youngest member of the Tarbert Senior of that year. He was a member of the Ballylongford minor team that was beaten in the 1953 North Kerry final and was on the Listowel Minor team that was beaten by Moyvane in the 1954 final. Seamus wore the Green and gold jersey with the Kerry Minors in 1953 and 1954. He played with Kilcolgan to win a parish league medal in 1952 and helped the Shannonsiders to win the North Kerry Intermediate final in 1953. He played Senior Co. Championship football with the Shannon Rangers in 1955 and was secretary of that club in 1971.
Seamus is now retired and resides at Rusheen Ballylongford. 

Michael Carmody    Michael Played Corner back in the 1952 final and he recalls that his marker on that day was the late Maurice Cahill. He was a fiery Tenacious Player in the mould of Tiger Lyons. He played minor football in 1953 and also in 1954 when Tarbert were beaten by Listowel in the North Kerry semi final. Michael was a member of the Tarbert Senior team up to the early 1960’s that won many tournaments. He had the rare distinction of Playing in three successive North Kerry senior finals, when Tarbert were beaten on all occasions. Michael is a keen sports man with an interest in both dogs and horses. He owned the famous greyhound ,Joyful Tidings that won the respond Irish Derby in 1994. Michael runs the popular ‘Carmody's Bar’ with his wife Nuala, and also farms extensively.

Edward Ferris   A very consistent footballer, who also played minor in 1953 and in 1954 the when Tarbert were beaten by Listowel in the Semi Final. He played his local football with Kilcolgan who made their mark in many hotly contested games in the Parish League that they won in 1952.

He was a member of the Shannonsiders team when they won the North Kerry Intermediate title in 1953.  Edward Emigrated to the United States and he now resides at Brooklyn New York.

Eugene Mulcaire   Eugene played centre half back on the minor team but soon graduated to the full back position where gave many excellent performances whilst playing with the senior team in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. This team were successful in many tournament finals but a north Kerry final win evaded them three times in the late 1950’s He was a member of the Feale Rangers Senior team with whom he won a Kerryman Shield County medal. He played his Parish League football with Tarmons, with two victories to his credit. Eugene also played with Shannon Rovers in London for a number of years. A builder, Eugene is now retired and resides at Doonard Tarbert.

Franco Kelly      Franco played at right half back on the 1952 team and had few equals in this position. He again played minor with his club in 1953 as well as playing with the North Kerry Minor side. On that year also Franco wore the Green and Gold Jersey for the County Minor team along with his club mate Timmy Mulvihill.  Franco played senior football with Tarbert right through the 1950’s during which period they won many tournaments. A Guest House  Proprietor, Franco now resides at Barna, Co. Galway.

Jimmy Carmody    gave a masterful display at centrefield on final day and scored two valuable points. Played on North Kerry minor team also in 1952. Played Senior for Tarbert  through the mid 1950,s and was also a regular on the North Kerry Senior team for many years. He played his parish league football with the Town and has one victory to his credit. Jimmy is now retired and resides at Chapel Street Tarbert.

Timmy Mulvihill       Timmy played at centre field in 1952 final and also played for the North Kerry Minors that year. He played  at minor level for Tarbert, North Kerry and Kerry County during 1953 and 1954. Timmy played with Tarbert Senior team in the North Kerry final against Clounmacon in 1954. He played senior football for many years until he emigrated to London where he played with Shannon Rovers, gaining many honours in The London Championship. Timmy was called to his eternal reward on 17th October 1989.

Peter Langan      Peter gave a brilliant performance at wing forward on final day having played solidly all through the campaign. He was a member of the North Kerry minor team in 1952 and 1953 and also played on the Tarbert Minor team in 1953. He played his parish league football with Chapel Street/Doonard. Peter emigrated to the U.K. where he  played football with Harlow in the Hertfordshire league and captained the team for five successive years. Peter has now returned to Tarbert where he is happily retired and resides at Church Street.

Michael Lanigan  Played centre Forward on the 1952 minor team with a score of 1-01 to his credit in the final. Was a member of the Tarbert Senior team for many years, playing in two North Kerry finals in the late 1950’s, only to be beaten in both. Served the Tarbert Club for over a dozen years as Secretary and was a founder member of the original Sportsfield committee which has now graduated to Shannon Park. Was a Kerry County Minor Selector in 1974 and in 1975 when Kerry Defeated Tyrone to win the minor All Ireland final. Michael is now retired and resides at The Square Tarbert.

Finbar Carrig            Finbar got Tarbert off to a Flying start in the 1952 final with two valuable points. He was playing senior for Tarbert right through the 1950’s and 1960’s  during which time he won The North Kerry Senior League in 1961 and 1964, The North Kerry Senior Championship in 1969,  The County Kerryman Shield in 1961 and1964. He won the Parish League with Lower Road in 1950 and played Kerry County Senior and Junior in1961. Finbar played with St. Senans in London for a brief period in 1954 and he played with Syracuse New York from 1957 t0 1960.He is now  P.R.O. for Tarbert G.A.A. club.
Finbar is now retired from E.S.B. Tarbert Island and resides at St. Patrick’s Terrace

Sean Donovan   Sean played corner forward on the winning minor team and the Listowel corner back confessed afterwards that he had the hardest game yet trying to mark him. He was a skilful and accurate forward . Sean played his parish League football with the Town (Slob View), with one victory to his credit. Sean is now retired from E.S.B. Tarbert Island and resides at Loughill Co. Limerick.

Georgie O Connell       Georgie played at full forward on the 1952 minor team and gave a brilliant display. He won a Parish League with The Lower Road in 1950 and gave sterling service to his club before he emigrated to London in 1954. There he played with St. Senans and with Shannon Rovers with many successes to his credit. A true Gael and a loyal Kerry supporter, he has yet to miss an All Ireland Final in which Kerry featured.  Georgie now resides at Holloway London.

Eddie Lanigan At fifteen years Eddie was one of the younger members of the team.  Played corner forward on the victorious 1952 team and scored a vital goal. He was also a member of the 1953 minor team and the 1954 team that was beaten by Listowel in the semi final. Was a member of the Town Parish League team with one victory to his credit. Sadly, Eddie was called to his Eternal reward on 22nd April 1996. (R.I.P)

Tom McCarthy            At fourteen Tom was the baby of the team in 1952. While Tom did not make the last fifteen on final day he made a huge contribution to the team during that years campaign. In the semi final against Moyvane he gave a noteworthy performance, scoring three points.

Tom played minor again in 1953 and emigrated to England in 1954. Tom is now a successful building contractor with no ambitions towards retirement and resides at Bromley Kent.

Tom Mulcaire            Tom played a very active part in the 1952 campaign and he also played North Kerry minor championship football in 1953.He played parish league football with the victorious Tarmons team. Tom is retired from E.S.B.  Tarbert Island and resides at Doonard Tarbert.

Moss Mulvihill      Moss played brilliant football during the 1952 campaign. He was a member of the Tarmons Parish League team that captured two trophies. Played Junior and Senior football for some years before he emigrated to the United States where he played with Roscommon Gaels. Retired Postman and greyhound trainer Moss now resides at Dooncaha Tarbert.

Tim Kiely        As well as being a member of the 1952 minor team Tim played minor for Tarbert in 1953 and in 1954. He gave a brilliant display at full forward in the 1954 semi final only to be narrowly beaten by Listowel. Tim played Senior football with Tarbert from 1955 to the time he emigrated to the United States in 1958. There he played with the Kerry Junior Team that was victorious six times in the New York Championship.

Tim has business interests at both sides of the Atlantic and is currently holidaying with his mother, Mrs Teresa Kiely of Main Street.

Eddie Carmody    Eddie was a superb goalkeeper and gave many brilliant displays during the 1952 Campaign. Unfortunately he was not available for selection for the team on final day as he had entered ecclesiastical college. He played with the North Kerry minors also in 1952 and won a parish League medal with Kilcolgan in the same year.
Eddie is now Bishop Of The Diocese Of Corpus Christi Texas U.S.A.


Sincere thanks to our sponsors and advertisers
Pat and Bernadette Kelleher

Tarbert Juvenile Club

Ambrose and Noelle Lanigan

Airtricity

North Kerry Board  G.A.A.

Michael and Patricia Houlihan

Allied Irish Banks

Finbar and Catherine Tymon

John And Michael Hennessy

South Of Ireland Waste Management

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Sincere thanks to Tarbert G.A.A. for the generous gesture of honouring the Golden Jubilee of the 1952 North Kerry Minor Team Victory.

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