South Kerry Championship final 

Portmagee versus Derrynane 1936

The composer of this song was John C Driscoll. He was a postman in Portmagee and played on the local team in this match with Derrynane in 1936..

Whenever we watch a football game, we think of days of old;

And the gallant men South Kerry gave who wore the green and gold.

We think of brave Jack Murphy, who was long since laid to rest,

Jerome O’Shea, O’Connell and Dwyer, who ranked among the best.

But the grandest game South Kerry saw or I think will ever see,

Was on September 36’tween Derrynane and Portmagee.

Be sure that was a game of games for two country teams to play,

At Con Keating park you’d never see such dash and speed today.

There were no fistcuffs or no fights, from the first kick to the last,

They had no time for that at all with leather flying so fast.

Those were the days, those were the men, no massage or rub down;

With salt water shining through their hair, Portmagee sailed up to town.

All week before they fished each night from evening until dawn

 Then they toed the line at Reenrusheen against the men of Derrynane.

Excitement now was running high as the ball was set to roll;

John Peter Neill took up his stand to guard the Kerry goal.

Our full backs were Mike Kennedy, John C Driscoll and Dan Divine

Three trusty men with football skill and speed and brain and brawn

The O’Connell brothers from Ardcost with Pat Murphy grand to see

Those were the men that held the line that day for Portmagee.

Con Divane and Willie Harnett were our mid-field pair

And be sure they gave us thrills galore on the ground and in the air.

Our sharp shooter Johneen Casey, ‘twas he who won the day,

When from the fifty yards he scored a point before end of play.

But the rebel dan was the fastest man like lightning on the go,

And we can’t forget our civic guard Bill McGurren from Mayo.

The great old sportsman James Divane full forward he did play

His tussles  with Jim Galvin were the highlights of the day.

And Eddie falvey scarce sixteen we gave him many a cheer,

When he outplayed that stalwart back young Falvey knew no fear.

But when Patie Casey grabbed that ball I can hear the cheering yet

When he burst through Derrynane’s defence and banged it in the net.

That was the team from Portmagee God bless and rest them one and all

They were the boys in former years who could field and play the ball.

But to praise our brave opponents now ‘twas plain for all to see

They were just as good if not better men than the lads from Portmagee.

And to prove my words I’ll tell you this there was scarcely any breeze

When Pat Casey with a bullet shot brought Connell to his knees.

When their goalie saved that brilliant shot, Derrynane swept down the field;

They had to battle all the way, Portmagee would never yield.

They drove that ball with lightning speed, our supporters stared aghast;

But they came to grief, they could never break our back line from Ardcost.

So that free kick gave Derrynane their chance and the crowd began to bet

Mike Galvin pulled his knickers up his face was black with sweat,

A deadly accurate kicker, this time he failed to score,

For he drove the ball just inches wide and our lines were safe once more.

A long kick out by Dan Devane and the game was nearly done

When John Casey drove across the bar the field was fought and won.

We will never forget that great game but the men we most admire

Are the Galvin brothers from Derrynane close kin to Mike Dwyer

Another too is in my list, a fast and powerful man

You’d seldom see his likes today, they call him Tailor Dan.

We too had a tailor Dan he trained us how to play

May God have mercy on his soul, he now lies in the clay.

So God bless those boys from O’Connell’s home, and may we live to see

A younger team line out again, against the youth of Portmagee.