O'Shea, Denis
July 07, 2010Prior to Sunday's Munster senior football final at Fitzgerald Stadium, those in attendance were asked to stand and observe a minute's silence in memory of the late Denis 'Dinny' O'Shea who garnered All-Ireland glory with Kerry in the 1955 victory over Dublin.
Dinny as he was known to everybody, played a pivotal role in forming the centrefield partnership with his fellow Kerins O'Rahillys clubman John Dowling. The duo were instrumental in putting the shackles on the Dublin machine and thus paved the way for the never to be forgotten win.
Kerins O'Rahilly's and Kerry were fortunate to have two men of their calibre to shore up the middle of the field when the going got tough. Dinny often reminisced of club and county games played against teak-tough opposition and said that he learned very quickly how to look after himself when playing the ball and often when it was nowhere to be seen.
Dinny's talent as footballer was evident from a young age. When just 17 years old he played on the Camp team which won the Castlegregory league in 1949, a feat which was repeated in 1950 and 1951.
He moved from his parish team to the Kerins O'Rahillys club in 1954 and this helped to shape his future as a senior inter-county star. The Blues were going through a purple patch in the club's history, bringing the Bishop Moynihan Cup up Strand Street in 1954 and 1957.
These triumphs brought Dinnys flair and aptitude to the fore and to the eye of the Kerry senior selectors of the time. He grace the sod of Croke Park on a number of occasions culminating with a Celtic Cross winner's medal in 1955 and a National League in 1959.
Aged 78, Dinny was born in April, 1932 to parents Bat and Jane O'Shea. His siblings were sisters Noreen and Maureen. Dinny's working life began on finishing school when he joined CIE as a temporary porter, prior to being appointed a bus conductor. He subsequently became a bus driver, a position he loved and worked at for close on 30 years.
Dinny's usual bus ran was from Tralee to Dingle and there wasn't a passenger who alighted his bus whom he didn't know by first name. The journey from Tralee to the Dingle Peninsula was interspersed with the occasional unofficial stop at his home. Passengers didn't mind in the least as Dinny went home for a few minutes and had a little sustenance to help him on his way.
Loved blossomed for Dinny when he was introduced to his future wife Kathleen Cunnane from Mayo who was visiting her friend Maureen Crean in Camp. Dinny and Kathleen were married in Mayo with Kathleen's cousin Archbishop Cunnane officiating. A very happy and united couple they were proud parents to their son Bart.
It was the simple pleasures of life which gave Dinny the most pleasure. A loving wife and son and the company of friends enjoying a pint, a game of rings or darts at Peter Daly's pun in Camp.
Dinny was a very sociable and easygoing man who made friends easily. He loved to journey to Kathleen's home county on a regular basis and journeyed at his leisure in his car.
The exploits of all West Kerry teams, Kerins O'Rahilly's and Kerry were followed with great interest. Triumphs were celebrated, while defeats were taken on the chin, with the saying beidh la eile.
For a period of time Dinnys health was undergoing dialysis on a weekly basis. The steel and determination he showed on the football field helped him cope with his illness. Sadly Dinny passed on Wednesday 23 June.
The removal of Dinny's remains took place from the Hogan Funeral Home to St Mary's Parish Church, Camp. The hearse was flanked by a guard of honour from the Kerins O'Rahillys Club and the cortege stopped outside the club grounds which he graced with class and style.
Following Requiem Mass on Friday June 25 at 11 O'Clock, interment took place in the New Cemetery, Camp.
Dinny is sadly missed by his loving wife Kathleen, son Bart, sisters Noreen and Maureen, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Go ndeana Dia trocaire ar a anam ri dhilis.
Courtesy of The Kerryman
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