County hurling medals won by a Kerry hurler over a 100 years ago, have led to his extended family gathering for the first time ever.

Renowned Kilmoyley hurler 'Skelper' Quane was part of the side that won 13 county titles in the early 1900's and medals from that era were recovered by his nephew Robert Quane in his home in Bournemouth, England.

Skelper's brother John had emigrated to the UK when he was 16 in 1914 and he married Robert's mother in 1938.

Robert only discovered the medals last year and this led to a big family reunion in Skelper Quane's pub in Blennerville, which is run by his grandson Tom Quane last year.

Explaining to the Kerryman, Robert revealed that it had not known much about his father's background before he emigrated to England.

"My father never told us anything about his background and it wasn't until after he died we found these three Kerry county hurling medals among his possessions," said Robert.

"But for these medals we wouldn't have re-established contact with our Irish family and we had a fantastic night in the Skelper's, when the pub was swarming with Quane's, Breens and Ryles." Tweet

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