Will Jamie Moynihan follow in his father Seamus' footsteps?

Family history will repeat itself with Jamie Moynihan wearing the Sem number 8.

GOOD STOCK: Jamie Moynihan, St Brendan’s. Pic: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.

One of Kerry’s greatest-ever footballers Seamus Moynihan set the bar very high for any family member to even get close to his glittering career that included four All-Ireland senior medals and three All-Stars. 

There was a sense of loss throughout the Kingdom, though Kerry had just walloped Mayo in the 2006 All-Ireland final, when Seamus Moynihan announced his retirement from inter-county football the following day. 

He was a leader among men but he had displayed those qualities as far back as 1992 when he led St Brendan's College to Hogan Cup success beating St Jarlath’s Tuam in the final. 

He wore the number 8 green Sem jersey that day. 

In 2004, he helped Kerry beat Mayo in the All-Ireland final with William Kirby playing at midfield. 

Fast forward 21 years and family history will repeat itself with his son Jamie Moynihan wearing the Sem number 8 facing off against the Mounthawk number 8, Daniel Kirby.

It is clear from speaking to Jamie that he is under no pressure to try and emulate his father’s achievements, however. 

But there are some early similarities as Jamie prepares for a second Corn Uí Mhuirí decider having won the 2023 final when beating St Francis Rochestown.

Jamie has played Kerry minor and is now in with the Kerry u20s, so what does playing in another Corn Uí Mhuirí final feel like? And what does it feel like being coached by his father when he lines out with his club Glenflesk?

“My father was actually on the Sem team that won the Hogan Cup back in 1992 and it shows how big a competition it is and how hard it is (as the Sem have not won another since). We are facing a very good Mounthawk team now and obviously it would be lovely to win it like they did in 1992 but there's no doubt it's going to be a very big challenge for us. 

"In recent years I have seen a good few Glenflesk club mates like Killian O'Sullivan, Luke Crowley, and Cian Lynch win Corn Ui Mhuirí medals and that's an incentive as well. It would be lovely to get up there as well.” 

Jamie revealed that his dad never does a forensic analysis on his performances nor is Seamus pushy when it comes to putting his son under any pressure.

"Obviously people are always asking me what it is like to be the son of Seamus Moynihan and also comparing me with my dad but honestly I don’t really take much notice now. I try and block it out and I don’t take much notice myself. It doesn’t impact my performance. 

"If I wanted advice or sought it, he would give it. There is no pressure on me from him which I think is great as well. He would not mind if I said I was giving up football in the morning because I am my own man and he has always encouraged me to do my best but to enjoy it. So no, my Dad is not pushy at all.” 

What about post-match or during matches, would Moynihan Sr be vocal?

“No, he would not be roaring in at me or watching my games with the school, he is very laid back. Even if I had a bad game going home in the car, he would not mention it unless I brought it up myself. 

"Unless I ask for advice, he doesn’t interfere and that is great for me because he is not adding any pressure for me to perform but just to do my best for the team.” 

Jamie believes that it is going to be a huge challenge on Saturday because St Brendan's are a formidable side. 

“Obviously we have a very young team. We have a lot of the lads who were playing on the Frewen team this year. They weren't playing with us at the start of the year, they were focusing on their own competition, but they are after coming up to our training panel now and they are making a big difference. 

"But they are very young, they are two years younger than myself so it's going to be a very tough challenge but we are going to give the game a go anyway.” 

Being captain is a great honour but he admits Mounthawk are the standard bearers.

“Mounthawk have set a very high standard, not just this year, but over the last number of years. You can see it even by the scores that they are putting up. They have set the high standard and we are just trying to get up to that."