TRIBUTE'S                  Hall Of Fame (click here)

Bernie Connor
Sean Costigan

Patricia Moynihan

James o Donoghue

The Legion Club have produced many greats over the years including The Lyne family, Johnny Culloty. Weeshie Fogarty . Teddy & Gerald O Sullivan . Timmy o Leary. & Donie Murphy Southill

THE LYNE FAMILY

Six brothers of the Lyne family played for the club.

Fr. Mikey: Was the eldest and won all Ireland medals at, Senior, Minor and Junior levels. He served most of his priestly ministry in Scotland and wad for many years PP of
parkhead in Glasgow.

Donie: Played with the Legion only, and served them very well.

Teddy: Also played with the club only, and had a reputation of setting arguments on the field of play, before they even started.

Tom: Unfortunately was called to his reward while only in his early twenties. He was in the middle of what would have been a brilliant and successful career. This was a very sad blow for his family and friends alike.

Denny: His secure fielding and lengthy clearances made up for his lack of inches. Selected as a corner forward
in the all Ireland final of 1944, he reverted to corner back in the 1946 and 1947 finals. The fact that the 1947 final was played in New York brought its own glamour to the game. The game was played at the Polo grounds in New York on Sunday the 14th of September. This came about on the insistence of Canon M Hamilton who was the representative of the New York board and Clare Co. board, on the central council. Canon Hamilton made an elegant plea to the delegates to " remember the exiles in this the centenary year of black 1947 " (famine)`. His appeal carried the day Legion had four players involved. Denny was joined by his brother Jackie, and the two O' Sullivan brothers, Teddy and Gerald from Ballycasheen.
On the day Kerry had no lack losing to Cavan by 2-11 to 2-7, instead of Denny Lyne returning home to Cleeney with the Sam Maguire. It was instead taken back to Derroes, Killeshandra by John Joe O'Reilly.

Jackie: was the best known and most versatile footballer of the family. Winning all Ireland medals both as a back and forward. In a career, which spanned over twenty years he won almost all available honours with Kerry. In addition he also trained Kerry to all Ireland success in the double years 1969 and 1970. In his time Jackie was an inter-County referee of note.

Con: was the youngest and seventh brother. Con never played football. On days when the Legion were defeated, it was said that his brothers were always late going home. They maintained on such occasions , that he knew more about football than the whole lot of them put together.

The football story of the family does not end there, their sister Maura married Tom Spillane who played for the club and county. Their sons Pat, Mike and Tom won a total of 19 All-Ireland medals between them, from 1975 to 1986 inclusive.

Denny's sons have played for the club down the years and are still involved, as some of their own sons are making their mark at underage level.

Rarely has a family served a club as well as the Lyne family has served the Legion.1945 and 1946 are the only years the club has played in County finals to- date. However, since then, numerous players in all grades have won medals as part of winning Killarney and East Kerry sides.

JOHNNY CULLOTY
Twenty two years later in 1969 Johnny Culloty brought the sam maguire cup back to the club and county. Kerry defeated Offaly in the final 0-10 to 0-7,thus becoming the first Sam Maguire winning captain from East Kerry. Between hurling and football Johnny had a long and distinguished career, beginning, as a fourteen year old playing in goal for the Kerry minor hurling team.

Johnny preferred hurling to football and regrets that Kerry were never good enough to
win a senior hurling title. Johnny was an all-rounder, excelling on the basketball court, and was fairly handy with a golf club also.

Johnny's list of achievements in club competitions
reads as follows-
• Four senior football championships
• Two Munster club senior championship medals
( (both one with East Kerry)
• One County senior hurling championship medal
• Three County minor hurling championship medals
• Four County intermediate hurling championship medals, ( all won with Killarney.

At the inter County level-
• Five all Ireland senior football medals in 1955, 1959,
01962, 1969 and 1970
• Twelve Munster championship medals in 1955, 58, 59, 060, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 68, 69 and 70
• One junior all Ireland hurling medal in 1961
• Five national league football medals in 1959,'61,'63,'69 0and '71
• Four national league hurling division 2
• One junior football medal in 1954

He is currently a senior County team selector. That is an impressive list by any standard. He is still very much involved in the club and we are very lucky to have someone of his calibre on board. When his opinion is sought, you always receive a forthright and honest answer.

His sons Donal and Seanie are carrying on the tradition, coaching and training underage teams. They are also valuable members of the Saturday morning coaching and training sessions, for our under ten section.

WEESHIE FOGARTY
In 1993 and 1994 our then club PRO Weeshie Fogarty brought more National honour to the club. In both years Weeshie won the McNamee award for the best club Pro in the County. Winning back to back McNamee awards is an honour never achieved before or since.

He is no stranger to success on the playing field winning-
• One junior All Ireland medal with Kerry
• Four County senior championship medals
• Two Munster senior club medals
• One All Ireland club medal with East Kerry

Weeshie was handy on the basketball court as well, having won an All Ireland senior medal with the County. He was also a founder member and player with his beloved Busby Babes. This mans versatility doesn't end there. He is the only player in the club to represent the club in minor, junior under 21's and senior levels.
He was also a distinguished referee. Refereeing to all Ireland semi-final level, however the powers that be, never rewarded him with the all Ireland final he deserved.

Weeshie has put the skills he honed in his years as legion Pro to good use. Working with our local radio station Kerry Radio as a presenter. He fronts the hugely popular and successful show Terrace Talk. On match days around the County and Country he is the voice behind the mike, doing match pundit work and sometimes games reporting. In addition he writes a weekly column for one of our Killarney weekly printed publications.

THE BALLYCASHEEN BROTHERS- TEDDY & GERALD O’SULLIVAN

Teddy O’Sullivan began his football career with St. Brendan’s College. He won his first East Kerry medal with the Legion in 1943.

Teddy’s career was hampered by illness in 1946, but he still managed to find a place as a substitute for Kerry in the all – Ireland replay against Roscommon.

1947 was a memorable year for both brothers as their names appeared twice on the Kerry Team for the final in the Polo Grounds, Teddy joined the Gardai curtailing his association with the club. However he continued playing on the Kerry scene and in 1948 won a Railway Cup Medal with Kerry.

In 1950 he was on the Kerry Team that played Louth, finally in Teddy’s short & brilliant career as a footballer he was the recipient of many award.

Gerald was the better known of the brothers as his connection with the Legion had been longer. He was particulary noted for his magnificent fielding and in 1945 he played in the East Kerry Team and was responsible for bringing the Legion to its first County Final. He also joined Teddy for the memorial All-Ireland in New York.

In 1949 saw Gerald win his second County medal with Killarney Legion.

Unfortunately he then moved to Cahirciveen and then played with St. Mary’s. He was instrumental in bringing 3 County Championships to South Kerry.

In 1953 he won his first All –Ireland and two years later he won his second. He was selector for Kerry in 1957 & 1958

The long and fruitful careers of the O’Sullivan Brothers has brought them many honours to the Club, it is an honour to have their names recorded in “The Legion of Memori

TIMMY O LEARY  

In the words of Ian O’Leary’s writing in the Legion of Memories “that despite Timmy’s lack of inches, he was very fast, neat in his movements and had a great swerve.”

He had the great honour of playing of what must be a record four Minor Finals 1931, 1932, 1933 & 1934  he captained the 1933 team.

After collecting his 4 All-Ireland’s he graduated from Junior to Senior status remembering his first time playing in an All-Ireland Final 1937 against Cavan, in the replay Tim said “it was a wonderful experience going out on to Croke park and standing for the national Anthem” he played again in 1938 being on the losing side to Galway in another replay and was a substitute in 1939 when Kerry won the Title.

            He travelled to America with the Kerry Team in 1939. During his playing career which began in the Monastery School, he captained the team which won the Dunloe Cup in 1931 again he captained the Kerry Juniors in 1934 when Kerry lost in the semi-final.

He won All-Ireland senior medals in 1937, 1939 and was on the defeated Kerry Team of 1938. He played with Munster in 1939 & in a National League match and had the distinction of scoring 4 goals from play against Offaly.

            1n 1933 he won an East Kerry medal and 1936, finally illness brought an end to Timmy’s career.

Timmy O’Leary will be remembered by the Legion as a man that changed the “Green & White” for the “Green & Gold”

HE WAS A GENTLEMAN ON AND OFF THE FIELD

DONIE MURPHY FROM SOUTH HILL

Donie was one of the many brothers that played for the club including his brothers Freddie & Seamus who are also first cousins of the Lyne Family from Cleeney.

He started his football in the Monastery School from there he moved to the “Sem”, he played a big part in St. Brendan’s Munster Cup victories of 1946 & 1947. He won an Inter-Provincial medal with Munster Colleges in 1947. He was selected on the Kerry Minor in 1946 and played a major part in the All-Ireland victory. John Joe Sheehan & Johnny O’Brien both members of the Legion Club were also on that team. In 1947 he again played minor football for Kerry and played with the Kerry Juniors in 1948 the same year that he won a Sigerson Cup Medal with U.C.G.

Donie was chosen in 1950 for the Kerry Seniors to play Louth in the All-Ireland Semi-Final, Kerry were defeated 1-7 to 0-8.  In 1951 he played with Kerry again, that year they drew with Mayo, Kerry 1-5 Mayo 1-5 with Kerry beaten in the replay 2-4 to 1-5, he also played on the Munster Team beaten by Connaught in the 1951 Railway Cup Final.

In 1953 Donie, he played left corner back on the Kerry team that beat Armagh in the All-Ireland Final. In 1954 All-Ireland Final he played on the Kerry Team beaten by Meath, in 1955 he was on the Kerry Team that won the Munster Final, but illness kept him out of the team for the remainder of the year. Donie also played for the combined universities in 1951 and was selected on the Ireland Team of 1955.

He won a County Champion Medal with Dick Fitzgerald’s Killarney Team in 1951 as The Legion had been beaten in an earlier round.

He won East Kerry Minor Titles in 1946 & ‘47and also a junior East Kerry medal in 1946 and Senior East Kerry in 1947 & 1953 and captained the team in 1954.

Donie’s loyalty to the Legion Club will never be forgotten despite the heavy demand of Inter Co. Football his exemplary sportsmanship and his modesty is an example to us all.

A TRIBUTE TO BERNIE O CONNOR

The Legion G.A.A.Club, Killarney and Kerry has lost one of its truly great people with the sad passing of Bernie O`Connor.It`s safe to say that when people heard the name they immediately were able to see the face so well known was he. We are all proud of Fitzgerald Stadium and what it represents, so it was fitting that it was in the best of hands  with  Bernie caretaking there for over a quarter of a century . Like every job he ever took on, done to the highest possible standard with the least amount of fuss. We in the legion Club however owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for his many years of service in practically every position at some stage or other. It was a labour of love for him not always easy but the past week has  shown what an impact he made with huge crowds from every walk of life, the many tributes  and groups of club members recalling many "Bernie related" stories. One such encounter brought out the fact that over 37 years ago Bernie-on his own -
 took a group of U12`s to compete in a County wide blitz run by the Stacks. That day he was trainer, selector, medic ,linesman, umpire, bagman and guardian all rolled into one. After a long day he managed to bring his team to county victory beating a strong Caherciveen side in the Final, the very first trophy won by this group and still warmly remembered nearly forty years later. Many other memories flooded back, every one personal but all giving a warm nostalgic glow of a man larger than life, hard-working, capable, never afraid to speak out in his own unique style. His adaptability to take on any job from treasurer to stone picking in his beloved Direen showed a work ethic that he was famous for. Every Club has people like Bernie O'Connor ,unfortunately ours is gone -sadly forever and we probably won't see his like again. However he leaves a strong  club and people who greatly admired him and held him in high esteem and in the words of his great friend and clubman Johnny Cu
 lloty, who delivered a very moving graveside oration, "Bernie O'Connor owed nothing to anyone". Bernie's President and Clubman of the year awards were well earned and warmly received official recognition of outstanding service but no award or money could repay Bernie O'Connor for the work he did for the Legion Club. To his wife Sheila and family our sincerest sympathy and prayers.Siorai na Bhflaitheas ar a anam  dilis. 

SEAN COSTIGAN R.I.P.

One of the Legions most  popular members Sean Costigan of St. Brendans Place died unexpectedly. He died at home and right to the last his beloved Bridie to whom he was married for over 50 years was by his side. From an early age Sean`s musical talents came to the fore and were to be a constant theme throughout his life. He had in fact mastered several musical instruments and was involved with 5 bands over his playing career. Sean had at this stage been involved with both Killarney Brass and Reed ,Killarney Players and with such musicals as the Desert Song in 1963,Tuf at the Top the cleverly named show put on in the Tops of the Town by Hilliards Shoe Factory. The Legion was to reap the benefit of these many talents and the expertise he had gathered over the years when Sean was one of the leading and driving forces behind the clubs 3 final appearances in the hugely popular Tops of the Clubs. His contribution
to the town was marked by the many people who paid their respects and the guard of Honour by both the Legion and the Killarney Musical Society. Sean served the club as assistant secretary, East Kerry Board delegate and was a vice president of the club. His loyalty and dedication  was put on official record when in 2004 the club was proud to award him The Hall of Fame-acknowledgement of his tremendous contribution down through the years. In the sad days ahead maybe Bridie will remember back and take warm memories and comfort from the times when she and Sean travelled to Majorca on Legion trips in the early 70`s -when it cost  £35 per head for 10 days. To Bridie ,Sheila, Moira, Noel and Eddie and family the Killarney Legion extend heartfelt sympathy and gratitude. Mile Buiochas a Sheain, codladh samh.

PATRICA MOYNIHAN R.I.P.

Sadly the death of a stalwart member of the Legion Club Patricia Moynihan finally and after many years of fighting ill-health passed away. In a week when we celebrated the official opening of our magnificent new clubhouse it was ironic that Patricia who for many years was a crucial part of fundraising should go to her reward. At a time when money was very scarce she and the Legion Ladies Committee did Trojan work especially in relation to the sales of work bazaars run by the club in the 70s.She was also the driving force behind many parts of Scor competitions and her quest for perfection led to many East Kerry and County titles coming to the club. The amount of hours she put in trying to get the very best possible performance out of set and figure dancers, ballad groups and solo singers led to many long nights of hard work. To this day many of the people who took part in Scor have warm memories of those days and while they were proud to walk in her guard of
  honour it was an occasion tinged with great sadness. To husband Donie, son John, daughter-in-law Trish, daughter Norma and to granddaughter Danielle on whom she doted and to the O Sullivan and Moynihan families we extend our heartfelt sympathy at this sad time.
Siorai ne bhFlaitheas uirthi

James 'Donoghue.

It was with deep sadness and regret that we learned of the sad passing of our President and past chairman James 'Donoghue.
Highly popular and well known by both young and old alike he served his club and community with great ability and dedication for many years.It was a common sight to see Jameso holding court entertaining audiences many years his junior with his gregarious nature and sense of humour.
Born in 1923 where the Pretty Polly was built later, his parents along with his 5 brothers and two sisters moved to Lissivigeen where the family took up residence.His early playing days were with Lissivigeen and after they broke up in the mid forties he threw his lot in with Headford with whom he won an E.K.title.The Headford club also folded and it was about this time in 1947 that Jameso began his nursing career in St.Finans where he remained until his retirement in 1986.During his time there he worked in all disciplines as well as being actively involved in the trade union.Indeed he was heavily involved in politics all his life in the Labour party with work colleague Mike Moynihan and latterly with conncillo rMichael Gleeson.
His time there saw many changes and he himself was instrumental in many things that improved the lot of both patients and staff.This generosity of time and spirit was also evident with his long involvement with the Kidney Association and today their efforts can be seen at work at the Dialysis Unit in the Kerry General Hospital. In April 1952 he married Lily[nee Kerrisk]with whom he was to spend over 55 years- their 50th.anniversary was a very special occasion and a full family portrait taken on the night can be seen hanging on the wall in Knockeeduve.It was at this point Jameso began his long involvement with the Legion and he played with many of the club's finest. For many years Jameso was chairman of the New Cemetery Graveyard Committee stepping down only the year before last.How fitting and ironic that he should now be laid to rest among the graves that he cared for like his own- non more so than his recently deceased daughter Mary. Jameso served his club and community for many years,he knew what he wanted and how to get it done.His many friends will miss him and we in the Legion G.A.A.club thank him and his family for all they've done down the years.
To Lily,Anne,Peggy,Eilish,Donal,Diarmuid,Kathleen,Seamus and Family we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences.
Siorai na bhFlaitheas ar a anam Dilis

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