Kieran Donaghy and Jackie Power celebrate after the final whistle. Photo by Dermot Crean
TWENTY years.
Kerry football was still in the famine years the last time the Rock won a county title. Back then, a young Pa Laide was instrumental in bringing the Bishop Moynihan Cup back to Connolly Park.
William Kirby was still a Na Gaeil player, moving to the Stacks in 1995. The two men met on the field after the game on Sunday and embraced. The joy and relief that their own football famine had ended.
The elation was unconfined in Fitzgerald Stadium at around 4.15pm on Sunday. The fans invaded the pitch to celebrate with the players and no one noticed captain Barry Shanahan had already lifted the cup in the stands.
His speech was almost over by the time the Rockie hordes gathered in front of the stand to acknowledge the Bishop.
Of course, Barry made special mention of the ‘ultras’ who really made both final days so special.
What of Kieran Donaghy’s year then?
First there were niggling injuries, then he was left out of the Kerry team. He was reborn against Mayo and proved pivotal in the All-Ireland final, later picking up an All-Star.
Now this.
A Tralee man will spearhead Kerry’s bid for Sam in 2015 and some of his teammates will be knocking at the door for county places too.
In the ‘Blue’ corner, Tommy Walsh is coming back and David Moran is shining.
Football in Tralee hasn’t been this good for the past 30 years!
See Stacks players and fans celebrate in the video below and scroll further down for photos…
William Kirby celebrates with Rockie fans after the final whistle. Photo by Dermot Crean
Shane O’Callaghan and Ger Mannix celebrate the Rockie victory. Photo by Dermot Crean
In a Rockie Wonderland with the Bishop. Phtoto by Dermot Crean
