Calamity after calamity but yet Tipperary footballers dethroned mighty Kerry

Tipperary footballers travel to Killarney on Saturday next to challenge All-Ireland champions Kerry in the Munster semi-final. It is now 95 years since Tipperary last recorded a provincial win over The Kingdom, which occurred in July 1928 in Tipperary Town. Kerry, then seeking a sixth Munster title in a row, and with the intention of getting back to an All-Ireland final having lost to Kildare the previous year, were sensationally dethroned.

(In the Munster final, Tipperary were well beaten by Cork in Killarney. Also, 1928 was the very first year the Sam Maguire Cup was presented, Kildare repeating the victory of the previous year to write themselves into the history books).

The following is an edited version of the report of the game between Tipperary and Kerry which appeared in The Nationalist the following week (From The Nationalist, July 11, 1928)

“Form and reputations have been rudely shattered to the four winds, the latest rather astounding result being the knock-out of the prospective champions, Kerry, by Tipperary, in the Munster semi-final played on Sunday in Pat McGrath’s enclosure at Tipperary.

“The followers of Kerry figured prominently in the attendance, which numbered well over 3,000 spectators. Kerry were, of course, hot favourites, the only consideration weighing with their supporters being the number of winning points their representatives would pile up against the rather under-rated Tipperary fifteen who played a wonderfully fine game throughout the hour, and completely upset all calculations.

“The first moiety closed with Tipperary leading substantially by six points, the score standing Tipperary 1 goal 5 points; Kerry, 2 points. On the turn-over Kerry fought very determinedly in defence of their reputation, and though they had almost wiped out the big deficit, their best efforts failed to realise expectations, and they had to go down before a better fifteen to the tune of 1-7 to Kerry’s 2-3.

“One of the goals secured by Kerry gave rise to adverse comment, it having been contended that the leather had been thrown into the Tipperary net.

“The team fielded by Kerry was a strong combination, while that of Tipperary was a pick by the Selection Committee. It was representative of Templemore, Fethard, Clonmel, Ardfinnan, Kilsheelan, Mullinahone and Carrick.

TIPPERARY: J. Weston (goal), M. Barry, R. Heffernan, R. Mockler, J. Davey, J. O’Leary, E. Lonergan, T. McCarthy, T. Lee, W. Barrett, C. Keane, D. Mullins, P. Arrigan, T. O’Keeffe, P. Kenny.

KERRY: J. Riordan, J. Sullivan, Joe Barrett, J. Walsh, P. Russell, D. Ryan, P. Whitty, Con Brosnan, R.S. Stack, J. Ryan, John Joe Sheehy, E. Fitzgerald, E. Sweeney, JJ Landers, J. Batley.

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And these were some of the snippets that appeared also in that edition, penned by ‘RON.’

* Jim Davy, Templemore, sustained a broken leg early in the game and had to be removed by ambulance to hospital. Conveyed from the pitch by his comrades he pathetically cried, although in much pain: “Don’t shift me boys I want to see the match. Truly the spirit that won the day for the gallant Tipps.

* The day was one of calamity after calamity for the Tipperary team and ‘ere the final whistle went all the available subs were in the fighting line. In fact Jerry Shelly, the popular Grangemockler footballer, was getting ready for “next please.”

* Mr Pat McGrath, Secretary Munster Council, described the game as “the surprise of a life-time.”

* During the evening many of the Kerry players were to be seen with “Up Tipp” badges prominently displayed.

* Fifteen minutes’ overtime had to be played for “lost time” in the second half.

* Mr Tommy Ryan is, I understand (that’s RON), contemplating on carrying 22 players with him in future to such contests - a wise decision.

* The surprise of the Tipperary team was the display of Paddy Kenny (Carrick) in the opening moiety of the game when he slashed in 1 goal and 2 points in lightning like fashion.

* The victory of the Tipperary team is all the more creditable when it is realised it was their first match together, and that at least five of them were making their debuts as senior inter-county footballers.

* The star forward of the Tipperary 15 was undoubtedly Willie Barrett (Mullinahone) at right-half. He seldom missed getting possession when opportunity came his way and fed his men in that splendid manner characteristic of all his matches. To him is due in large measure Tipperary’s success.

* Casualties were numerous throughout the game and there were no less than twelve hold-ups - mainly due to the strenuousness of the contest.

* Now that our footballers, so much out of luck of late, are coming to their rightful place again, might I suggest that some provision ought be made to give them a week or a fortnight’s training together for their coming encounters. Granted facilities in this respect, there is no doubt they will do justice to themselves, to the Selection Committee, and above all, worthily uphold the proud traditions of the Premier County.