A throwback to when O’Connell showed his steel

With the All Star footballers flying into New York today for the first time since 1990, it’s worth going back to the first trip in 1975 which involved a unique exhibition remembered with affection around here.

When Roy Gerela and Mick O’Connell were brought together by a mixture of gimmick and opportunity that April afternoon, the former was at the peak of his career and the latter had probably accepted that his was over.

Gaelic Park was welcoming the All Stars of both codes of the GAA for the first time and after Eddie Keher inspired a Kilkenny hurling victory and Jimmy Keaveney’s winning point sealed the Dubs’ success in the football, the 8,000 or so spectators had good reason to hang around for a few more minutes.