Garda out in force

Jim O'Sullivan

But for an hour or so yesterday, key footballers from Cork and Kerry notably opposing goalkeepers Kevin O'Dwyer and Declan O'Keeffe came together in Cork with little more on their minds than to celebrate the involvement of seven gardai in the respective panels for the All-Ireland SFC semi-final.

While the Jurys Hotel-sponsored luncheon hosted by Garda chiefs in the city was not an exclusive Cork/Kerry gathering, it was easy to spot the non-natives.

Master of ceremonies Superintendent Kieran McGann, a former Fermoy footballer, and Cork Garda GAA club chairman Sergeant Mick Comyns are Claremen, and Chief Superintendent Ray McAndrew the man who replaced Adrian Culligan (from Killarney) on his promotion to Assistant Commissioner hails from Sligo.

Chief Supt. McAndrew said that they were proud of the achievements of the seven Garda members Johnny Crowley and Tom O'Sullivan (Kerry), Jim O'Donoghue, Colin Crowley and James O'Shea (Cork), and O'Keeffe and O'Dywer.

Having seven panelists reflected well on the force, he said, adding that the force had always put great emphasis on sport.

Supt. McGann added that the commitment of the Garda footballers was to be admired, considering that they were subject to shift work and suffered the loss of allowances through their absence for training.

Assistant Commissioner Culligan was present and other guests included former Cork star Superintendent Mick O'Loughlin, now a selector; former star and RTE analyst Tony Davis; Chief Superintendent Dermot Dwyer; Detective Superintendent Tony Quilter; Inspector Peter Callanan; Jury's general manager Fergal Somers; Colonel Mick O'Dwyer (Army); Ted Foley (AIB) and former Cork hurling star John Crowley, representing Heineken

Ireland.

Cork GAA chairman Jim Cronin reckoned that the involvement of the seven gardaí was a record.

He said that the county had won, on average, an All-Ireland every three years over the past century.

"We're hoping they might give us a turn this year," he joked.

Kerry's captain in their 1953 All-Ireland final win over Armagh, Jas Murphy, a retired Garda who also played for Cork, was another guest.

He is president of the Nemo Rangers club.