Kerry and Dublin footballers who were fierce rivals celebrate bonds on anniversary of 1975 final

Irish Independent

22-04-2025

The special occasion was held in Kenmare and organised by local man and 1975 All-Ireland winning captain Mickey Ned O'Sullivan and Dublin footballer of that era, Alan Larkin, who organises regular trips for his former teammates.
Mickey Ned told The Kerryman that the players of both panels felt it was important to mark the first final they contested, which was won by the Kingdom under the guidance of the recently deceased Mick O'Dwyer, who had only taken over management of the team five months earlier.
The teams developed a fierce rivalry over the course of the next decade, when they met in six finals and won ten All-Irelands between them. Kerry's famous four-in-a-row, from 1978 to 1981, came during this era.
'It was basically a celebration of the friendship and the respect that existed between the Dublin and Kerry panels,' Mickey Ned explained.
'We meet regularly before matches and things in Dublin but we needed to celebrate the first All-Ireland between the two groups.'
Mickey Ned, who had to leave the field of play after was knocked unconscious in the 1975 final, said there is a great bond between the Kerry and Dublin teams.
'Everything was left between the white lines. The rivalry was very intense on the field of play but once the final whistle went, everything was left on the field and they enjoyed each other's company,' Mickey Ned explained,
'They say familiarity breeds contempt but it doesn't.'
Mickey Ned said the 1975 final marked a significant milestone for the winning and losing sides.
'It was important for Kerry because it was their first. It was important for Dublin that they had a lot more work to do. And they brought in Kevin Moran, Pat O'Neill, Tommy Drumm for the following year, and they learned from that,' he explained.
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'Then Kerry learned from [Dublin's wins] in '76 and '77. It was a learning process for everybody, perhaps we were that little bit young to win in '75.'
The 50th anniversary gathering saw the former players and their partners, with the exception of those who have passed away or could not make it, stay at Sheen Falls Lodge.
They met for drinks on the first evening and the following day, the golfers among the groups played 18 holes at the Ring of Kerry course while others enjoyed a boat trip around Kenmare Bay and lunch in Dromquinna Manor in fine weather.
Later, everyone met for drinks at Spillane's Bar before heading back to the hotel for a special dinner.
'We had a very good clip from Jarlath Burns, president of the GAA,' Mickey Ned said.
'He addressed both groups from the middle of Croke Park and he made reference to what they had done for Gaelic games with their rivalry. But he emphasised what was important, he said it showed teams that it doesn't end when you retire.
'The friendships and the bonds you make through playing Gaelic football, you have them for life.'
Mickey Ned said that the great bond between the former players and their partners, who had to sacrifice a lot due to their loved ones' sporting careers, was clear at the gathering.
'They weren't celebrating what they had won, they were celebrating the friendship that they had kept for 50 years,' he said.