We thank Seáno Murphy of Knocknagree (originally from High Mill Lane, Millstreet) for sharing this wonderfully historic photograph of 1956 showing the Millstreet Team playing an important Match in Macroom – a County Quarter Final. Seáno is pictured on the extreme left in the front row. Tap on the image to enlarge. (S.R.) Seáno has just kindly shared the names of all in the picture:
Back Row from left: Ted O’Connor, John O’Shea, Denis Kelleher, John O’Keeffe, Con Corcoran, Brendan Moynihan, Teddy Kelleher, John Kelleher, Cormac Dineen, Neily Dennehy, J.J. Hinchion and Jim O’Connor (Dooneen). Front Row from left: Seáno Murphy, John Corcoran, John F. Daly, Dan O’Leary, Garda Mick Byrne stationed in Knocknagree – father of the former Garda Chief Commissioner, Pat Byrne (Goalie), Joe Buckley, John “Sing” O’Sullivan, William O’Leary, Pat Joe Kelleher and Anthony Manley.
Dan O’Keeffe ? Goalie in the picture of the Millstreet Team is in fact Mick Byrne who was a garda stationed in Knocknagree.
Betty….Thanks a million for providing the name of the Goalie of whom we were not sure. Greatly appreciated.
Hi Sean,
I don’t have the Millstreet GAA History book but I am pretty sure that picture was taken in 1956 as my late Uncle JJ only played with Millstreet that year only.
I believe they played an Co QF game in Macroom, which I think is this picture.
Richard…Sincere thanks for this important information. We’ve adjusted the caption of the photograph which has evoked such great memories. Many thanks also for your very interesting report regarding your Uncle and the links with Millstreet – much appreciated.
Sincere thanks, Betty, for adding such interesting information. Some years ago in Knocknagree I recall the royal welcome accorded to Chief Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne when he was visiting Knocknagree for a special Book Launch.
Hi Sean, He was actually the father of the Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne, who was born whilst they were in Knocknagree. Betty
Regarding the Millstreet football team photo the man in the back row, second in referred to as ‘cousin of Denis Kelleher ‘ is my father John O’Shea, a first cousin of the Kelleher’s , Corcoran’s and recently deceased Johnny O’Keeffe who are in the photo.
Thought you might like to know as it’s the only name that ye haven’t got.
I still have a copy of the photo.
Regards
John O’Shea (son of man in photo)
John…We very much appreciate your wonderfully kind information regarding the name of the gentleman to whom we referred to as a Cousin of Denis Kelleher. Your Dad’s name will now be included – thus completing the full comprehensive caption! Sincere thanks.
My father Mossy O’Connor currently talking about this, remembers that John Kelleher’s nickname was “Toots.”
Hi Mike, to spare any confusion, Denis Kelleher was Toots and his brother John was widely known as Big Tom.
Richard Hinchion Kilmurry
1956 saw Uncle JJ suspended by the Co Board for playing hurling with his local junior Aghabullogue who imported players from Tipperary which was quite common practice at the time as they were short 5 players due to the clerical students gone back to the seminary. They were playing in the county rounds and the whole team and officers got suspended
Uncle JJ missed the 1956 All Ireland as a result of the suspension.
So when his suspension was served he was available to play with any club so he signed up for Millstreet as Denis Toots Kelleher was a very good friend as they played together on the Cork Senior team all during the 50 s
Also Toots used to collect him in Macroom on route to take inter county football training in Cork.
Uncle JJ played three county rounds including the County Final which they lost to St Finbarrs.
I remember discussing the this Co SeniorFinal of 1956. On the day the Millstreet never performed to their full potential against a much fancied St Finbarrs ream ,which was hugely disappointing for team have fought tough opposition to reach the final. When I asked him how was his performance on the day and I quote “the ball followed me every where I went “. So much he was back again on the Cork Senior team for the 1957 All Ireland Final V Louth which resulted in more heart break for Uncle JJ and Denis “Toots “ Kelleher who were defeated by Louth due to a goal very late in the game .
I searched for years for that Millstreet ‘56 team photo and a local girl Moira Hallissey who worked for Noel C Duggan at the time said Noel has that picture on his wall at home .
So she got reprints done for me early in 2015,to whom I was very grateful .
I gave the team photo to Uncle JJ a fortnight before he passed away in mid March and he lit up with joy no doubt evoking many happy memories of those glory years.
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