Vincent Linnane: ‘It’s like the stations in the house. You want the place looking its best’

The footballers of Shannon Rangers were already running behind schedule when they landed onto the Boherbee Road outside Austin Stack Park. The main entrance, though, was barely visible among the thousands of supporters attempting to make their way into the stadium. The men from North Kerry were stranded.

Teddy O’Sullivan, a native of Templenoe who had been transferred up to Ballyduff Garda Station in 1961, was centre-forward on the Shannon Rangers side. The 1964 county final was his second time appearing in the showpiece event of Kerry club football, but he, along with his team--mates, were now in danger of failing to make it to the start line on time.

Amid the chaotic scenes on what is now John Joe Sheehy Road, a steward signals to the Shannon Rangers squad. A ladder is pressed up against the stone wall outside the stadium and the players are told to begin climbing. An unconventional entrance, to say the least.