Tony Leen: Ballymac's new heroes walk among us, like the normal people they no longer are

Anybody fortunate enough this week to be loitering around Ballymacelligott in Kerry will detect a giddiness and lightness that only comes with something truly historic and wonderful

SMILING FACES: Ballymacelligott players celebrate with the cup after their side's 1-16 to 0-13 win over Tyrone's Clogher Eire Og in the AIB All-Ireland Club JFC final at Croke Park. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

MET Dan O’Shea on Thursday morning in Dunnes Stores in Tralee – small Dunnes, we'd call it. The Ballymacelligott full-back was walking quietly among his subjects. No words were required. He had to drop a shopping bag to formalise our greeting, with the use of his shaking hand only. The other arm was in a sling. Last Sunday, he dislocated his left elbow in the All-Ireland Club JFC final in Croke Park.

Dan’s 35 now, so the consensus goes. The family homestead is above in Ash hill, at the top end of the parish. Dan’s now moved over to Ballyfinnane, which – despite the vastness of our parish - is perilously close to Firies territory. There’s no fear of him.