Rebels mourn 1973 hero

HUMPHREY KELLEHER, the former Cork footballer whose death has occurred, was remembered yesterday as a powerful defender who had a major input into the winning of the All-Ireland in 1973.

Kelleher, aged 59, was one of four Millstreet players in the team, captained by Billy Morgan, which beat Galway in the final to reclaim the Sam Maguire Cup after a lapse of 28 years. He played in five Munster finals between 1971 and 1975 and won three medals.

He was also a member of the Munster team which won the Railway Cup in 1975. The team included his club colleague Denis Long (who ended his career with Austin Stacks), as well as Kerry stars Páidí Ó Sé, Ger Power, Pat Spillane, John Egan and Michael Sheehy.

Sheehy was only breaking through to the Kerry team near the end of Kelleher's career - which injury cut short - but he played on him in a few League games. "He had a fierce physical presence on the field, a big strong powerful man," he recalled. "He was a key figure when Cork won the '73 All-Ireland.

"I suppose you could say he had a bit of a reputation, that you went in once on him and that was it. When I met him in later years I found him to be a very nice fellow. It's very sad to hear of his death."

My own recollection of him is that in his early years he relied more on his toughness and physical presence to command the square in front of Morgan. He didn't stand on ceremony and carried out his task to great effect. But, towards the latter end of his career, he had refined his play considerably and became an outstanding footballer.

Clubmate John Coleman, who filled the centre-back position in each of the provincial finals he played in, agreed that in his early years he was "more of a stopper."

Billy Morgan said he was "shocked and saddened" by the news, describing him as a "giant" on the All-Ireland winning team.

"Humphrey always looked out for me and he was as good a defender as I ever played with. He was a great full-back, but very under-rated. What people didn't realise was that he was very fast, always one of the fastest in the sprints in training. And, as his career developed he became a better and better footballer."

He is survived by his wife May and three daughters, Elaine, Caroline and Monica. The removal of remains takes place this evening at 8pm from O'Callaghan's Funeral Chapel in Ballyclough to the Church of St John the Baptist. The burial will take place on Saturday following Requiem Mass at 2pm.