In early November 1915, on the weekend of the All-Ireland final, the Tralee Republican leader Austin Stack dispatched three men disguised as Kerry football supporters to Dublin.

Forging a Kingdom: The GAA in Kerry, 1884-1934

The recent controversy concerning Sean Cavanagh has again brought the issue of cynical play in Gaelic games into the national spotlight.

Former GAA president, Sean Kelly, said Croke Park was missing a great opportunity on All-Ireland final days by not allowing mascots parade with the competing teams.

GARDAÍ had already conceded a month after the funeral of Kerry republican John Joe Sheehy that they would not be able to prosecute those who appeared in paramilitary uniform and fired shots at the ceremonies.

* January 6: Three members of UDR killed by an IRA landmine near Castlewellan, Co Down.

KERRY’S dominance in Gaelic football over the past century is a testament to the county’s passion for the sport — a passion that was forged by the bitterness of the Civil War.

Con Brosnan, a Free State officer, managed to get safe passage guarantees for republican players like John Joe Sheehy and Joe Barrett to play games, and they used football to overcome some of the bitterness.