Paul Rouse: In 1958, Derry stunned Kerry— Can history repeat itself?

Derry GAA has always existed side by side with a strong tradition of soccer

CAN HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF: Sixty-five years ago Derry beat Kerry by a point in an All-Ireland semi-final, can they repeat this this weekend? 

Sixty-five years ago Derry beat Kerry by a point in an All-Ireland semi-final. It was a landmark moment in the history of the GAA in the county. It loosed the sort of childhood memories and dreams of sporting success that are rarely forgotten – even if they cannot all be exactly fulfilled.

Back in 2008, when he was manager of the Irish soccer team, Martin O’Neill, was invited to Áras an Uachtarán by President Mary McAleese to give a lecture on what it meant to be Irish. It was a fascinating talk, where O’Neill gave a wonderful insight into the twists and turns of his life. From the stories of his childhood in an Irish working-class family in County Derry through to his emergence as a famous soccer star, he recounted how his family – like most of the nationalist families in his area – were deeply embedded in the GAA. This involvement in the GAA was a badge of Irishness and a matter of considerable pride to family and community. His father was actually a founder-member of the Kilrea Pearses GAA club and O’Neill, himself, loved to play Gaelic football. His older brothers played football for Derry and this was something which he, too, aspired to do.