Kerry’s nine-in-a-row team celebrated in Tralee

Their recollection of the games is hazy; the spirit and sense of fun is still distinct.

NINE IN A ROW: Today in the Rose Hotel, Tralee this trail-blazing group and their manager Mick Fitzgerald were honoured by the Association of Sports’ Journalists in Ireland for their contribution to Irish sport. The ten players who featured in all of Kerry ladies' nine in-a-row were: Marina Barry, Marion Doherty, Mary Jo Curran, Phil Curran, Margaret Flaherty, Eileen Lawlor, Margaret Lawlor, Bridget Leen, Annette Walsh and 
Dell Whyte. Pictured at todays lunch Back Row (L-R) Margaret Flaherty, Phil Curran, Eileen Lawlor, Annette Walshe, Mary Jo Curran, Margaret Lawlor, Marina Barry Front Row (L-R) : Bridget Leen, Marion Doherty, Michael Fitzgerald manager, Tony Riordan (selector) and Dell Whyte.(trainer and player).Pic : Lorraine O'Sullivan

Every superhero needs an origin story. In 1974, a small note appeared in the bottom corner of the Kerryman newspaper. There would be a meeting at Austin Stack Pavilion to form a ladies’ football board. Step one was to create a team. Step two, conquer the sport.

Mick Fitzgerald hailed from the Galway hurling heartland of Killimor and after qualifying as a garda, he was transferred south. He helped hurling in Lixnaw and camogie in Castleisland. Then he turned his attention to ladies’ football and posted that notice. Fitzgerald subsequently operated in various roles: trainer, administrator, president for a spell.