Pat Spillane
Encyclopedia
Patrick Gerard Spillane (born 1 December 1955 in Templenoe
, County Kerry
), better known as Pat Spillane, is a retired Gaelic footballer and well known Irish
sports pundit. He played Gaelic football
with his local club Templenoe
and was a member of the Kerry
senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1991. Spillane is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.
title in 1948. A number of uncles on his mother’s side(The Lyne Family of Killarney's Legion) also had the distinction of representing their county in football.
Spillane’s father died when he was just eight years-old, leaving his mother to take over the running of the family pub while simultaneously raising a family of four children. Spillane was educated at the local national school and later attended St. Brendan's College
in Killarney
, where one of his best friends was Páidí Ó Sé
. Here his football skills were developed and he played senior football with 'Brendan’s' but lost both an All-Ireland Colleges’ semi-final and a final.
Spillane subsequently attended Thomond College in Limerick
where he studied to be a P.E.
teacher. He was later joined by his brother Mick
at Thomond and they both played on the college football team. In the late 1980s Spillane took over the running of the family pub in Templenoe. He worked as a P.E. and geography teacher at St. Gobán's College in Bantry
, County Cork
, which he became vice-principal and in 2011 principal of the school. He also led the schools under-16 boys team to two 'Munsters' in a row in 05-06 and 06-07; both finals were played on Kerry soil against limerick opposition.
Spillane is still living in Templenoe along with his wife Rosarii, and three children Cara(1990), Shóna(1992) and Pat Jr.(1997). Where he still helps in train the local teams to victory.
. He won a county novice championship with the club in 1973 before collecting a county junior championship
winners' medal in 1975. Spillane also played club football with Thomond College during his time there in the late 1970s. In 1977 he was captain of the side that defeated Croom to take the Limerick senior championship title. Thomond later represented the county in the provincial club series and even reached the final. A 0-12 to 1-3 defeat of the famous Nemo Rangers club gave Spillane a coveted Munster
club winners' medal. He later led his team out in Croke Park
for the All-Ireland final against St. John's
of Antrim. The Limerick club had no Limerick native on the team, however, victory was secured thanks to goals by Spillane and Sligo's Mick Kilcoyne. The 2-14 to 1-3 victory gave Spillane a coveted All-Ireland
club winners' medal.
minor football team, however, he had no success in this grade as Cork dominated the provincial championship. He quickly progressed onto the Kerry under-21 team where he captured a Munster
title in 1975 following a nine-point trouncing of Waterford
. Spillane's side later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Dublin
providing the opposition. A 1-15 to 0-10 score line gave Kerry the victory and gave Spillane a coveted All-Ireland
winners' medal.
In 1976 Spillane made it two Munster under-21 titles in-a-row as Kerry retained their provincial crown at the expense of Cork. He later lined out in a second All-Ireland final. Kildare
provided the oppsoution on that occasion, however, they were no match for Kerry. Spillane collected a second All-Ireland winners' medal following a 0-14 to 1-3 victory.
game against Galway
in March 1974. He lined out in the drawn National League final that year, however, he did not start the replay which Kerry won. Spillane retained his place as a substitute for Kerry’s unsuccessful Munster Championship
campaign.
In 1975 a new-look Kerry team was formed under the management of former player Mick O'Dwyer
. It was the beginning of a glorious era for Kerry football and Spillane played a key role in orchestrating much of the success for the team that would come to be regarded as the greatest of all-time. That year he won his first senior Munster title, dethroning Cork as provincial champions in the process. Spillane later lined out in his first senior All-Ireland final. Reigning champions Dublin provided the opposition and were installed as the red-hot favourites over the youngest Kerry team of all-time. On a rain-soaked day John Egan and substitute Ger O'Driscoll
scored two goals and 'the Dubs' were ambushed by 2-12 to 0-11. It was Spillane's first All-Ireland
winners' medal at senior level. Because team captain Mickey 'Ned' O'Sullivan had left injured in the first-half, Spillane, at the age of nineteen, was given the task of accepting the Sam Maguire Cup
on the Hogan Stand.
In 1976 Spillane captured his second Munster title before late rlining out in his second All-Ireland final. Once again it was Dublin who provided the opposition. Both sides were hoping for success, however, new 'Dub' Kevin Moran was causing havoc with the Kerry defence. Jimmy Keaveney
converted a penalty to help Dublin to a 3-8 to 0-10 victory and defeat for Spillane.
1977 proved to be another frustrating year. The year began with Spillane capturing a first National League medal on the field of play and a third consecutive Munster title following another win over Cork. Kerry later took on Dublin for the third consecutive year, however, this time it was in the All-Ireland semi-final. In one of the greatest game sof football ever-played 'the Dubs' triumphed and Spillane was still left waiting for a second All-Ireland medal.
In 1978 Kerry faced little competition in the provincial championship once again. A defeat of Cork gave Spillane a fourth Munster winners' medal in-a-row. Kerry later qualified for a third All-Ireland final in four years. Old rivals Dublin provided the opposition, however, the game turned into a rout. The game is chiefly remembered for Mikey Sheehy
's sensational goal. The Kerry forward lobbed the ball over the head of Paddy Cullen
, who was caught off his line arguing with the referee. New full-forward Eoin Liston
scored a hat-trick of goals. Spillane played all over the field, including goalkeeper after Charlie Nelligan
was sent off. At the full-time whistle Kerry were the winners by 5-11 to 0-9.
In 1979 Kerry made it five-in-a-row in Munster as Cork fell by ten points in the provincial final. Spillane later went in search of a third All-Ireland medal as he lined out in a fourth championship decider. Dublin provided the opposition for the fifth consecutive occasion. Kerry were handicapped throughout the game. Ger Power
did not start the game, while John O'Keeffe got injured and Páidí Ó Sé
was sent off during the encounter. Two goals by Mikey Sheehy and a third by John Egan helped 'the Kingdom' to a 3-13 to 1-8 victory. It was Spillane's third All-Ireland winners' medal.
Kerry's dominance continued in 1980. Another defeat of Cork in the provincial final gave Spillane a sixth Munster winners' medal in succession. Another All-Ireland final appearance beckoned, this time with Roscommon
providing the opposition. The Connacht champions shocked Kerry and took a five-point lead inside the first twelve minutes. Mikey Sheehy popped up again to score the decisive goal, as Kerry went on to claim a 1-9 to 1-6 victory in a game that contained sixty-four frees. The victory gave Kerry a third All-Ireland title in succession, while Spillane added a fourth All-Ireland winners' medal to his ever-growing collection.
In 1981 Spillane won his seventh consecutive Munster title, however, he later damaged his knee in a club game in August of that year. His movement was severely hampered but he was still selected as a substitute for the All-Ireland final against Offaly
. Spillane was brought on with only a few minutes left in the match and he captured his fifth All-Ireland winners' medal on the field of play as Kerry won by 1-12 to 0-8.
Spillane played sporadically for Kerry in 1982 as the team attempted to capture an unprecedented fifth All-Ireland medal in-a-row. He played no part in Kerry's eighth consecutive Munster final victory over Cork, however, he did return for a second consecutive All-Ireland final against Offaly. Kerry had the upper hand for much of the game and were leading by two points with two minutes left to be played. The game, however, was not over as Offaly substitute Séamus Darby
, who had entered the game almost unnoticed, produced the most spectacular of finishes by scoring a late goal. Kerry failed to score again to level the match and Offaly went on to win their third All-Ireland title ever. Kerry's five-in-a-row dream was shattered.
Spillane played no part in the 1983 championship as he was recovering from an operation on his snapped cruciate ligament. While many players would never play again following such an injury Spillane fought his way back to fitness in time to win his second National League medal and his eighth Munster title in 1984. The centenary-year All-Ireland final pitted Kerry against old rivals and reigning champions Dublin. 'The Kingdon' dominated the game from start to finish. Only two Dublin forwards scored as Kerry ran out easy winners by 0-14 to 1-6. It was Spillane's sixth All-Ireland winners' medal.
Kerry made no mistake again in 1985. A two-goal victory over Cork gave Spillane a ninth Munster winners' medal. Another All-Ireland final beckoned, with Dublin providing the opposition for a second consecutive year. Jack O'Shea
scored a key goal after eleven minutes and Kerry stormed to a nine-point lead at half-time. 'The Dubs' came storming back with Joe McNally
scoring two goals. The gap could not be bridged and Kerry won by 2-1 to 2-8. The victory gave Spillane a record-equalling seventh All-Ireland winners' medal.
In 1986 Kerry's dominance showed no sign of disappearing. Cork fell again in the provincial final, giving Spillane a tenth Munster title. A tenth All-Ireand final appearance quickly followed and it turned out to be an historic occasion. Tyrone
provided the opposition in their first-ever championship decider. A Peter Quinn goal gave the Ulster men a six-point lead in the second-half, however, the game was far from over. Spillane ran fifty yards up the field for a hand-passed goal to get Kerry back on track. Mikey Sheehy scored a second goal to give 'the Kingdom' a 2-15 to 1-10 victory. Spillane was named man of the match as he collected a third All-Ireland medal in-a-row. It was his eighth All-Ireland medal overall, a record haul of All-Ireland medals and a record that he shares with fellow Kerrymen Páidí Ó Sé, Ger Power, Ogie Moran and Mikey Sheehy. For the last trio of All-Ireland victories Spillane was joined by his two brothers, Mick
and Tom
, on the Kerry team.
The glory days were now over for Kerry as Cork captured the next four Munster titles. Spillane continued to play with Kerry, winning his eleventh Munster title in 1991. Kerry were subsequently defeated by eventual champions Down
in the All-Ireland semi-final and Spillane decided to retite from inter-county football.
in the inter-provincial football competition and enjoyed much success. He first lined out with his province in 1976 as Munster defeated Leinster
by 2-15 to 2-8. It was his first Railway Cup winners’ medal and the first of three-in-a-row for Spillane and for Munster. After losing out in 1979 and 1980 Spillane captured a fourth and final Railway Cup title in 1981.
in the International Rules series. He scored a point in the opening game against Australia
in 1986
. Ireland went on to win the series 2-1. Spillane was back on the team again in 1987
. This time he lined out in all three games of the series. He scored ten points in the final game at Croke Park, however, Australia were victorious on that occasion.
awards, more than any other player in the history of the game. Spillane shares this record of nine All-Star wins with Kilkenny
hurlers
Henry Shefflin
, D.J. Carey and Eddie Keher
(although Keher's record is made up of 5 All-Stars and 4 Cú Chulainn Awards). His All-Star accolades were presented as part of a six-in-a-row from 1976 until 1981 and a three-in-a-row from 1984 until 1986. Spillane is also one of only a handful of players to have won senior Munster winners' medals in each of three separate decades.
Spillane was presented with the coveted Texaco Footballer of the Year
award on two occasions, the first in 1978 and the second in 1984. His second win was all the more remarkable considering he had battled back from a career-threatening injury. That same year Spillane was singled out as one of the greatest players of all-time when he was chosen in the left wing-forward position on the Football Team of the Century. He retained this position on the Football Team of the Millennium in 2000.
The three Spillane brothers - Pat, Tom and Mick - hold the record number of All-Ireland senior winners' medals in either hurling or football with nineteen. Including medals won as non-playing substitutes Pat won eight, Tom won seven and Mick won four.
team as a co-commentator in 1992 before later working as a studio analyst. As an analyst of games he was often criticised for his controversial views, particularly in 2003 when he described Armagh
’s and Tyrone’s style of defence as 'puke football.' He presented the Sunday Game highlights programme during the summer months until 2009. That year Pat was replaced by Des Cahill
and he return to his familiar analyse's seat. He writes a weekly column in the Sunday World
newspaper.
Templenoe
Templenoe is a settlement in County Kerry, Ireland. It is situated four miles from Kenmare, on the N70 road to Sneem, which forms part of the Ring of Kerry....
, County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
), better known as Pat Spillane, is a retired Gaelic footballer and well known Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sports pundit. He played Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with his local club Templenoe
Templenoe GAA
Templenoe GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Templenoe in County Kerry, Ireland. The club competes as a joint divisional side with other clubs from the Kenmare area like Kenmare GAA in the county championship and as an individual club in other competitions. Hurling was by far the...
and was a member of the Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1991. Spillane is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.
Biography
Spillane was born into a family steeped in Gaelic football history. His father, Tom (1923–1964), played Gaelic football with Kerry and won a MunsterMunster Senior Football Championship
The Munster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council and are played during the summer months...
title in 1948. A number of uncles on his mother’s side(The Lyne Family of Killarney's Legion) also had the distinction of representing their county in football.
Spillane’s father died when he was just eight years-old, leaving his mother to take over the running of the family pub while simultaneously raising a family of four children. Spillane was educated at the local national school and later attended St. Brendan's College
St. Brendan's, Killarney
St. Brendan's, Killarney, known locally as The Sem, is a secondary school in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland.-History:St. Brendan’s is a Catholic Diocesan College, founded in 1860 by Bishop David Moriarty as a boarding and day-school for boys under the name of ‘ St. Brendan’s Seminary’. The first...
in Killarney
Killarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
, where one of his best friends was Páidí Ó Sé
Páidí Ó Sé
Páidí Ó Sé is a retired Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. He played football with his local club An Ghaeltacht and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1987...
. Here his football skills were developed and he played senior football with 'Brendan’s' but lost both an All-Ireland Colleges’ semi-final and a final.
Spillane subsequently attended Thomond College in Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
where he studied to be a P.E.
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
teacher. He was later joined by his brother Mick
Mick Spillane
Mick Spillane is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Templenoe and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. Mick is a fish monger on the Dingle Peninsula. He is a six-time All-Ireland SFC winner.- References :...
at Thomond and they both played on the college football team. In the late 1980s Spillane took over the running of the family pub in Templenoe. He worked as a P.E. and geography teacher at St. Gobán's College in Bantry
Bantry
Bantry is a town on the coast of County Cork, Ireland. It lies on the N71 national secondary road at the head of Bantry Bay, a deep-water gulf extending for 30 km to the west...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, which he became vice-principal and in 2011 principal of the school. He also led the schools under-16 boys team to two 'Munsters' in a row in 05-06 and 06-07; both finals were played on Kerry soil against limerick opposition.
Spillane is still living in Templenoe along with his wife Rosarii, and three children Cara(1990), Shóna(1992) and Pat Jr.(1997). Where he still helps in train the local teams to victory.
Club
Spillane played his club football with the local club in TemplenoeTemplenoe GAA
Templenoe GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Templenoe in County Kerry, Ireland. The club competes as a joint divisional side with other clubs from the Kenmare area like Kenmare GAA in the county championship and as an individual club in other competitions. Hurling was by far the...
. He won a county novice championship with the club in 1973 before collecting a county junior championship
Kerry Junior Football Championship
The Kerry junior championship is an annual Gaelic football competition played in County Kerry, Ireland by Gaelic Athletic Association clubs affiliated to Kerry GAA. It is a grade below Kerry Intermediate Football Championship and the winners move up to that grade the year after winning it...
winners' medal in 1975. Spillane also played club football with Thomond College during his time there in the late 1970s. In 1977 he was captain of the side that defeated Croom to take the Limerick senior championship title. Thomond later represented the county in the provincial club series and even reached the final. A 0-12 to 1-3 defeat of the famous Nemo Rangers club gave Spillane a coveted Munster
Munster Senior Club Football Championship
The Munster Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the hundreds of senior football clubs in Munster. The winners will represent Munster in the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship. East Kerry were the first winners of the Munster senior...
club winners' medal. He later led his team out in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
for the All-Ireland final against St. John's
St. John's GAA
St. John's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Carraroe and the eastern ward of Sligo town, Republic of Ireland. It is one of the newer clubs in the county, having been formed in 1987 after a re-organisation of the GAA structures in the urban Sligo area.-Honours:* Sligo Intermediate...
of Antrim. The Limerick club had no Limerick native on the team, however, victory was secured thanks to goals by Spillane and Sligo's Mick Kilcoyne. The 2-14 to 1-3 victory gave Spillane a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament run since 1971, played between the thousands of senior football clubs in Ireland. The current champions are Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh, who defeated St. Brigid's of Roscommon on March 17, 2011 to win their...
club winners' medal.
Minor & under-21
By the early 1970s Spillane had joined the KerryKerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
minor football team, however, he had no success in this grade as Cork dominated the provincial championship. He quickly progressed onto the Kerry under-21 team where he captured a Munster
Munster Under-21 Football Championship
The Munster Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Munster, in Ireland....
title in 1975 following a nine-point trouncing of Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
. Spillane's side later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
providing the opposition. A 1-15 to 0-10 score line gave Kerry the victory and gave Spillane a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months...
winners' medal.
In 1976 Spillane made it two Munster under-21 titles in-a-row as Kerry retained their provincial crown at the expense of Cork. He later lined out in a second All-Ireland final. Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
provided the oppsoution on that occasion, however, they were no match for Kerry. Spillane collected a second All-Ireland winners' medal following a 0-14 to 1-3 victory.
Senior
Spillane made his senior inter-county debut as a substitute in a National Football LeagueNational Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
game against Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
in March 1974. He lined out in the drawn National League final that year, however, he did not start the replay which Kerry won. Spillane retained his place as a substitute for Kerry’s unsuccessful Munster Championship
Munster Senior Football Championship
The Munster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council and are played during the summer months...
campaign.
In 1975 a new-look Kerry team was formed under the management of former player Mick O'Dwyer
Mick O'Dwyer
Mick O'Dwyer , is an Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. He played Gaelic football with his local club Waterville and was a member of the Kerry senior team from 1956 until 1974...
. It was the beginning of a glorious era for Kerry football and Spillane played a key role in orchestrating much of the success for the team that would come to be regarded as the greatest of all-time. That year he won his first senior Munster title, dethroning Cork as provincial champions in the process. Spillane later lined out in his first senior All-Ireland final. Reigning champions Dublin provided the opposition and were installed as the red-hot favourites over the youngest Kerry team of all-time. On a rain-soaked day John Egan and substitute Ger O'Driscoll
Ger O'Driscoll
Ger O'Driscoll is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Newcestown and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 2009 due to the 2008-2009 Cork players strike. O'Driscoll won back-to-back Munster minor titles in 2004 and 2005...
scored two goals and 'the Dubs' were ambushed by 2-12 to 0-11. It was Spillane's first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
winners' medal at senior level. Because team captain Mickey 'Ned' O'Sullivan had left injured in the first-half, Spillane, at the age of nineteen, was given the task of accepting the Sam Maguire Cup
Sam Maguire Cup
The Sam Maguire Cup, often called The Sam , is the name of the cup that is awarded to winners of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
on the Hogan Stand.
In 1976 Spillane captured his second Munster title before late rlining out in his second All-Ireland final. Once again it was Dublin who provided the opposition. Both sides were hoping for success, however, new 'Dub' Kevin Moran was causing havoc with the Kerry defence. Jimmy Keaveney
Jimmy Keaveney
James "Jimmy" Keaveney is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club St. Vincents and was a member of the Dublin senior inter-county team from 1965 until 1978. Keaveney is regarded as one of Dublin's greatest-ever players.-Club:Keaveney played his club football...
converted a penalty to help Dublin to a 3-8 to 0-10 victory and defeat for Spillane.
1977 proved to be another frustrating year. The year began with Spillane capturing a first National League medal on the field of play and a third consecutive Munster title following another win over Cork. Kerry later took on Dublin for the third consecutive year, however, this time it was in the All-Ireland semi-final. In one of the greatest game sof football ever-played 'the Dubs' triumphed and Spillane was still left waiting for a second All-Ireland medal.
In 1978 Kerry faced little competition in the provincial championship once again. A defeat of Cork gave Spillane a fourth Munster winners' medal in-a-row. Kerry later qualified for a third All-Ireland final in four years. Old rivals Dublin provided the opposition, however, the game turned into a rout. The game is chiefly remembered for Mikey Sheehy
Mikey Sheehy
Mikey Sheehy is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Austin Stacks and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1974 until 1987. Sheehy is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.-Club:Sheehy played his club football with the...
's sensational goal. The Kerry forward lobbed the ball over the head of Paddy Cullen
Paddy Cullen
Paddy Cullen is a former inter-county goalkeeper and manager with the Dublin GAA senior football team. During his player career Cullen won three All-Irelands and four all-stars awards....
, who was caught off his line arguing with the referee. New full-forward Eoin Liston
Eoin Liston
Eoin 'Bomber' Liston is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Beale, his divisional side Shannon Rangers and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1978 until 1993...
scored a hat-trick of goals. Spillane played all over the field, including goalkeeper after Charlie Nelligan
Charlie Nelligan
Charlie Nelligan is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Castleisland Desmonds and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1976 until 1991.-Club:...
was sent off. At the full-time whistle Kerry were the winners by 5-11 to 0-9.
In 1979 Kerry made it five-in-a-row in Munster as Cork fell by ten points in the provincial final. Spillane later went in search of a third All-Ireland medal as he lined out in a fourth championship decider. Dublin provided the opposition for the fifth consecutive occasion. Kerry were handicapped throughout the game. Ger Power
Ger Power
Ger Power is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Austin Stack's and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1973 until 1988. Power captained Kerry to the All-Ireland title in 1980.-Early life:Ger Power was born in Annacotty, County...
did not start the game, while John O'Keeffe got injured and Páidí Ó Sé
Páidí Ó Sé
Páidí Ó Sé is a retired Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. He played football with his local club An Ghaeltacht and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1987...
was sent off during the encounter. Two goals by Mikey Sheehy and a third by John Egan helped 'the Kingdom' to a 3-13 to 1-8 victory. It was Spillane's third All-Ireland winners' medal.
Kerry's dominance continued in 1980. Another defeat of Cork in the provincial final gave Spillane a sixth Munster winners' medal in succession. Another All-Ireland final appearance beckoned, this time with Roscommon
Roscommon GAA
For more details of Roscommon GAA see Roscommon Senior Club Football Championship or Roscommon Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Roscommon County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Roscommon GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games...
providing the opposition. The Connacht champions shocked Kerry and took a five-point lead inside the first twelve minutes. Mikey Sheehy popped up again to score the decisive goal, as Kerry went on to claim a 1-9 to 1-6 victory in a game that contained sixty-four frees. The victory gave Kerry a third All-Ireland title in succession, while Spillane added a fourth All-Ireland winners' medal to his ever-growing collection.
In 1981 Spillane won his seventh consecutive Munster title, however, he later damaged his knee in a club game in August of that year. His movement was severely hampered but he was still selected as a substitute for the All-Ireland final against Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
. Spillane was brought on with only a few minutes left in the match and he captured his fifth All-Ireland winners' medal on the field of play as Kerry won by 1-12 to 0-8.
Spillane played sporadically for Kerry in 1982 as the team attempted to capture an unprecedented fifth All-Ireland medal in-a-row. He played no part in Kerry's eighth consecutive Munster final victory over Cork, however, he did return for a second consecutive All-Ireland final against Offaly. Kerry had the upper hand for much of the game and were leading by two points with two minutes left to be played. The game, however, was not over as Offaly substitute Séamus Darby
Séamus Darby
Séamus Darby is an Irish former sportsperson who played Gaelic football for County Offaly in the 1970s and 1980s...
, who had entered the game almost unnoticed, produced the most spectacular of finishes by scoring a late goal. Kerry failed to score again to level the match and Offaly went on to win their third All-Ireland title ever. Kerry's five-in-a-row dream was shattered.
Spillane played no part in the 1983 championship as he was recovering from an operation on his snapped cruciate ligament. While many players would never play again following such an injury Spillane fought his way back to fitness in time to win his second National League medal and his eighth Munster title in 1984. The centenary-year All-Ireland final pitted Kerry against old rivals and reigning champions Dublin. 'The Kingdon' dominated the game from start to finish. Only two Dublin forwards scored as Kerry ran out easy winners by 0-14 to 1-6. It was Spillane's sixth All-Ireland winners' medal.
Kerry made no mistake again in 1985. A two-goal victory over Cork gave Spillane a ninth Munster winners' medal. Another All-Ireland final beckoned, with Dublin providing the opposition for a second consecutive year. Jack O'Shea
Jack O'Shea
Jack O’Shea is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played football at various times with his local clubs St. Mary’s in Kerry and Leixlip in Kildare. He was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1976 until 1992...
scored a key goal after eleven minutes and Kerry stormed to a nine-point lead at half-time. 'The Dubs' came storming back with Joe McNally
Joe McNally
Joe McNally is an American photographer who has been shooting for the National Geographic Society since 1987.McNally was born in Montclair, New Jersey. He received his bachelor's and graduate degrees from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University...
scoring two goals. The gap could not be bridged and Kerry won by 2-1 to 2-8. The victory gave Spillane a record-equalling seventh All-Ireland winners' medal.
In 1986 Kerry's dominance showed no sign of disappearing. Cork fell again in the provincial final, giving Spillane a tenth Munster title. A tenth All-Ireand final appearance quickly followed and it turned out to be an historic occasion. Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
provided the opposition in their first-ever championship decider. A Peter Quinn goal gave the Ulster men a six-point lead in the second-half, however, the game was far from over. Spillane ran fifty yards up the field for a hand-passed goal to get Kerry back on track. Mikey Sheehy scored a second goal to give 'the Kingdom' a 2-15 to 1-10 victory. Spillane was named man of the match as he collected a third All-Ireland medal in-a-row. It was his eighth All-Ireland medal overall, a record haul of All-Ireland medals and a record that he shares with fellow Kerrymen Páidí Ó Sé, Ger Power, Ogie Moran and Mikey Sheehy. For the last trio of All-Ireland victories Spillane was joined by his two brothers, Mick
Mick Spillane
Mick Spillane is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Templenoe and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. Mick is a fish monger on the Dingle Peninsula. He is a six-time All-Ireland SFC winner.- References :...
and Tom
Tom Spillane
Tom Spillane was a famous Gaelic footballer for Templenoe and Kerry in the 1980s.Tom Spillane was born in Templenoe, near Kenmare, County Kerry in 1962. He was, along with his brother Pat, a key member of the successful Kerry Gaelic football teams of the 1980s...
, on the Kerry team.
The glory days were now over for Kerry as Cork captured the next four Munster titles. Spillane continued to play with Kerry, winning his eleventh Munster title in 1991. Kerry were subsequently defeated by eventual champions Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
in the All-Ireland semi-final and Spillane decided to retite from inter-county football.
Inter-provincial
Spillane also lined out with MunsterMunster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
in the inter-provincial football competition and enjoyed much success. He first lined out with his province in 1976 as Munster defeated Leinster
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
by 2-15 to 2-8. It was his first Railway Cup winners’ medal and the first of three-in-a-row for Spillane and for Munster. After losing out in 1979 and 1980 Spillane captured a fourth and final Railway Cup title in 1981.
International
Spillane's career also included four appearances with IrelandIreland international rules football team
The Ireland International rules football team is the representative team for Ireland in international rules football, a compromise between Gaelic football and Australian rules football...
in the International Rules series. He scored a point in the opening game against Australia
Australia international rules football team
This article concerns the men's team; for information on the Australian women's team, see Australia women's international rules football team....
in 1986
1986 International Rules series
The 1986 International Rules series took place in Australia and consisted of three Test matches between the Australian and Irish international rules football teams.-Summary:1st Test Venue: WACA Ground, Perth Crowd: Unknown2nd Test...
. Ireland went on to win the series 2-1. Spillane was back on the team again in 1987
1987 International Rules series
The 1987 International Rules series took place in Ireland and consisted of three Test matches between the Australian and Irish international rules football teams.-Summary:1st Test Venue: Croke Park, Dublin Crowd: 15,5322nd Test...
. This time he lined out in all three games of the series. He scored ten points in the final game at Croke Park, however, Australia were victorious on that occasion.
Records
Spillane made and broke a number of records during his football career. In 1986 Spillane and his three Kerry team mates broke Danno O'Keeffe's long-standing record by capturing an unprecedented eighth All-Ireland winners' medal. His inter-county football career, which spanned three decades, saw him earn a record nine All-StarGAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
awards, more than any other player in the history of the game. Spillane shares this record of nine All-Star wins with Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
hurlers
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
Henry Shefflin
Henry Shefflin
Henry Shefflin is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Ballyhale Shamrocks and has been a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team since 1999...
, D.J. Carey and Eddie Keher
Eddie Keher
Edward Peter Keher , better known as Eddie Keher, is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game....
(although Keher's record is made up of 5 All-Stars and 4 Cú Chulainn Awards). His All-Star accolades were presented as part of a six-in-a-row from 1976 until 1981 and a three-in-a-row from 1984 until 1986. Spillane is also one of only a handful of players to have won senior Munster winners' medals in each of three separate decades.
Spillane was presented with the coveted Texaco Footballer of the Year
Texaco Footballer of the Year
The Texaco Footballer of the Year is a Gaelic football award, created in 1958, that honours the achievements of a footballer of outstanding excellence...
award on two occasions, the first in 1978 and the second in 1984. His second win was all the more remarkable considering he had battled back from a career-threatening injury. That same year Spillane was singled out as one of the greatest players of all-time when he was chosen in the left wing-forward position on the Football Team of the Century. He retained this position on the Football Team of the Millennium in 2000.
The three Spillane brothers - Pat, Tom and Mick - hold the record number of All-Ireland senior winners' medals in either hurling or football with nineteen. Including medals won as non-playing substitutes Pat won eight, Tom won seven and Mick won four.
Media career
Following retirement from Gaelic football, Spillane developed a career in the media. He joined the Sunday GameThe Sunday Game
The Sunday Game is Raidió Teilifís Éireann's main Gaelic games television programme. It is shown on RTÉ Two every Sunday during the Football Championship and Hurling Championship seasons. It is one of RTÉ Two’s longest-running shows, having been on air since 1979, one year after the channel first...
team as a co-commentator in 1992 before later working as a studio analyst. As an analyst of games he was often criticised for his controversial views, particularly in 2003 when he described Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
’s and Tyrone’s style of defence as 'puke football.' He presented the Sunday Game highlights programme during the summer months until 2009. That year Pat was replaced by Des Cahill
Des Cahill
Desmond 'Des' Cahill is an Irish sports presenter and commentator with national broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. He presents a daily radio programme called Drivetime Sport on RTÉ Radio 1, while on television he has presented The Sunday Game, The Road to Croker, Play It Again, Des, and Up for...
and he return to his familiar analyse's seat. He writes a weekly column in the Sunday World
Sunday World
The Sunday World is an Irish newspaper published by Sunday Newspapers Limited, a division of Independent News and Media. It is the largest selling "popular" newspaper in the Republic of Ireland and is also sold in Northern Ireland .-Origins:The Sunday World was Ireland's first tabloid newspaper...
newspaper.
Templenoe
- Kerry Novice Football Championship:
- Winner (1): 1973
- Kerry Junior Football ChampionshipKerry Junior Football ChampionshipThe Kerry junior championship is an annual Gaelic football competition played in County Kerry, Ireland by Gaelic Athletic Association clubs affiliated to Kerry GAA. It is a grade below Kerry Intermediate Football Championship and the winners move up to that grade the year after winning it...
:- Winner (1): 1975
Thomond College
- All-Ireland Senior Club Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Club Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament run since 1971, played between the thousands of senior football clubs in Ireland. The current champions are Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh, who defeated St. Brigid's of Roscommon on March 17, 2011 to win their...
:- Winner (1): 1978
- Munster Senior Club Football ChampionshipMunster Senior Club Football ChampionshipThe Munster Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the hundreds of senior football clubs in Munster. The winners will represent Munster in the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship. East Kerry were the first winners of the Munster senior...
:- Winner (1): 1977
- Limerick Senior Football Championship:
- Winner (1): 1977
Kerry
- All-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
:- Winner (8): 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986
- Runner-up (8): 1976, 1982
- Munster Senior Football ChampionshipMunster Senior Football ChampionshipThe Munster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council and are played during the summer months...
:- Winner (12): 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 (sub), 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991
- Runner-up (6): 1974 (sub), 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990
- National Football LeagueNational Football League (Ireland)The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
:- Winner (4): 1973-74 (sub), 1976–77, 1981-82 (sub), 1983–84
- Runner-up (2): 1979-80, 1986–87
- All-Ireland Under-21 Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months...
:- Winner (2): 1975, 1976
- Munster Under-21 Football ChampionshipMunster Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe Munster Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Munster, in Ireland....
:- Winner (2): 1975, 1976
Munster
- Railway Cup:
- Winner (4): 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981
- Runner-up (2): 1979, 1980