‘Páidí is a horse of a man’

IN A land of ‘f***ing animals, Kerry football manager Páidí Ó Sé is a “horse of a man” in many ways, according to a well-known cleric.

Canon Pádraig O Fiannachta, a former Maynooth professor and fellow Kerryman, also described the controversial sportsman as an inspirational man devoted to the game, with an ability to instil that devotion in others.

And the Dingle parish priest doesn’t think the controversy over Ó Sé’s infamous remark about Kerry has been completely negative.

“Now people know more about Kerry and the occasion in which language is used here.

“We have a richer font of metaphor and simile than more pseudo-refined parts,” he said proudly.

Canon Ó Fiannachta and many other notables, including Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen and the comedian/actor Niall Toibín, were in Ventry over the weekend for the annual Páidí Ó Sé football tournament.

Ó Sé’s pub was packed to capacity for the official opening by Mr Cowen of an exhibition of photographs by Killarney photographer Valerie O’Sullivan, who also won a Press Photography Association of Ireland award at the weekend.

Toibín is a regular visitor to the Dingle area and played in films such as Ryan’s Daughter and Far and Away, which were shot on location in the area.

Now in its 11th year, the football tournament attracted 16 teams, including some from Britain, and brought 5,000 people into the area for the weekend, according to Ó Sé.

The Kerry football manager has decided to keep his opinions to himself. Asked by a reporter if he had anything controversial to say, his reply was quite definite.

“I won’t be saying another word for the whole year,” he said before disappearing.