Liston, Eoin
April 23, 1993
Eoin 'The Bomber' Liston
Der Kerry Bomber Eoin Liston is back
The big Beale man is all set "to give it one last cut"
The big man had his mind made up. The passing years had taken their toll on a great Kerry side. As it all went horribly wrong for Kerry in the replayed 1987 Munster football final in Killarney, Eoin Liston was convinced that the end of an era was at hand. "The circus is over and it's time for a new act" were the words of wisdom uttered by the Bomber, as newspaper hacks penned the obituaries of the nation's finest ever footballers.
The new act has now come on stream, complimented by one surviving member of the old cast. The talk of retirement in July 1987 was a touch premature as far as Eoin Liston was concerned. Six years on championship action once again looms large on the horizon for the Beale clubman. It's good to be back. "I'm delighted to have one last opportunity and I'm enjoying being part of the panel once again."
A year ago a return to top flight competition and not inter county football was probably the summit of Liston's ambitions. Dogged by hamstring trouble since his restricted participation in Ireland's compromise rules tour to Australia in 1990, Liston's club appearances were few and far between. However, Denis 'Ogie' Moran's appointment as Kerry manager coincided with a double switch.
Liston's injury problems cleared up and his form at club level soon prospered accordingly. His Beale clubmate Ogie Moran didn't take long to notice, His Kerry side were in need of a fully forward and Eoin Liston matched the necessary criterion. "Ogie asked me would I give it one last cut to see if I could get into some sort of shape. I said yes, it was as simple as that and if I didn't come back now I would probably end up kicking myself. I would sooner try and fail than not try at all."
Now three months into his inter county comeback, Liston feels Ogie Moran's side is slowly taking shape. "They were doing well before I ever joined them and the panel is getting stronger all the time. If you look at the subs, there are four or five who will be staking strong claims for places by the time the championship comes around."
Liston, mindful of Kerry's imposing football tradition of which he is a part, recognised that expectation for the current crop of players runs high among the supporters. However, he feels his new team mates are unaffected by it all. "I don't think the great tradition bothers them too much as they're an experienced enough group of lads to know what's needed to win and I don't think it bothers them what previous Kerry teams have done, they're just looking forward, not back."
Liston feels that the open approach to management adopted by Ogie Moran has contributed to this well being. "Ogie has brought his own methods and style which seem to be going down well with the players as they are putting in a fierce effort and everyone knows what is expected of them."
These expectations will reach fever pitch in June. Training has been geared accordingly. For his part Liston is getting there slowly but surely. "I'm not winning the battle for fitness, but I'm not losing it either. We haven't done much speed work yet as it's been all stamina stuff." He remains hopeful that his notorious hamstring will survive the hard ground of summer.
Given his bulky frame it is not surprising that training has never come easy to Liston. So much so that he has designed his own fitness equipment. List'n'Limber is an outdoor fitness court with 50 different exercises. "It's being produced and marketed by my brother and so far sales have been going okay," says the former PE teacher.
This bulky frame now undergoing treatment was confined to a seat in Mackey Stand in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick last year as Clare emerged as a potent footballing force. As a Kerryman, Liston was naturally upset, but there is no hint of begrudery. "It was a unique sporting occasion and great for Clare because during my days as a Munster football coach, I know the fierce interest that there is in Clare and that the standard of player in Clare and Kerry was no different. It's just that in previous years we put in the stronger effort, were fitter and had more confidence."
This Kerry confidence was never more pronounced than in the full forward line of Eoin Liston, flanked by John Egan and Mikey Sheehy. Defence after defence perished in the face of this three pronged sword. Liston was the target man, Egan and Sheehy completed the misery for opposing backlines.
Liston's first All-Ireland medal in 1978 illustrated the point. Five points to one in arrears to Dublin after twenty minutes, the three muskateers sprung into action. A handpassed Egan goal brought Kerry back into contention. Sheehy's now famous audacious free kick over a retreating Paddy Cullen ensured a half time lead for Kerry. Liston went on the rampage in the second half, helping himself to three goals and two points. Sean Doherty and Kevin Heffernan's Dublin never recovered. The Kerry full forward line contributed 5-8 of Kerry's 5-11 total. The Bomber had arrived. Eoin Liston was Kerry's answer to Gerd Muller. For good measure, Liston's clubmate Ogie Moran lifted the Sam Maguire.
These victories became more plentiful as Liston became the scourge of full backs. Throughout his career, some of his most celebrated opponents who were beaten for skill had to resort to illegal tactics. For Kevin Kehilly, Gerry Hargan and Denis Walsh, jersey pulling was a necessary evil. Walsh's performance in the 1986 Munster Final was the most celebrated as he managed to keep the Bomber scoreless. However, such tactics didn't work in the long run as Liston's reputation grew. All Star awards in 1980, '81, '82 and '84 supplemented seven All-Ireland medals, two National Football League medals and two Railway Cups won between 1978 and 1986. He also won an under 21 All-Ireland in 1977 as well as representing Ireland in the compromise rules series of 1984, 1985 and 1990. He refused to travel to Australia in 1986 when Mick O'Dwyer was overlooked as team manager in favour of Kevin Heffernan. Being sent off in the All-Ireland semi final replay against Monaghan in 1985 probably cost him his fifth All Star. This prowess as a footballer prompted the Munster Council to appoint Liston as the province's first full time coach. He held the job for a year before moving to Tralee in 1988 to manage a building society.
On the club front Liston, along with Ogie Moran, Barry Walsh, Jackie Walsh and Gerard Griffin, backboned division side Shannon Rangers that mastered the art of the short passing game to win the county championship in 1977. With Beale he won six north Kerry championships. In 1985 his brother Sean made it a family affair when he won an All-Ireland medal.
Mere mention of Kevin Heffernan, Dublin and the 1970s brought memories flooding back to Liston as he lined out against the Dubs in last Sunday's league semi final.
"There is always a special buzz when Kerry play Dublin in Croke Park. You're assured of a big attendance. Dublin and Kerry have a lot in common as both sets of supporters get on together and when they beat us we take beating while when we beat them they take their beating."
Kerry were forced to take their beating in last Sunday's league semi final in Croke Park. However, from Kerry's and Liston's viewpoint, it was another learning experience. It's now full steam ahead for the championship. Liston has some definite views on the outcome of the summer ahead. "I think if we can get out of Munster I'd fancy us for the All-Ireland. Our toughest job will be against Cork or Clare but if we win that game, we will take a lot of beating." Liston's attitude reflects Kerry's age old confidence, misguided or otherwise, that once the goal of Croke Park in August and September has been attained, Kerry are the hardest team to beat.
One thing for sure, Liston's presence on the edge of the square will be a boost to Kerry's chances. True, the burst of pace over ten yards has diminished appreciably, the frame is heavier but the footballing brain is as light and lucid as ever. The Bomber is aiming to roll back the years.
And why not, at 35 who said time is not on his side. Didn't Dinny Allen captain Cork to All-Ireland glory in 1980 at the age of 37 while a 36 year old in the shape of Gerry McEntee was Meath's Man of the Match in the 1991 All-Ireland final.
Taken from Hogan Stand magazine
23rd April 1993
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