Jerome O'Shea
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Jerome O'Shea (1931 – 6 December 2018) was an Irish
Gaelic football Gaelic football (; short name '')'', commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA, or football, is an Irish team sport. A form of football, it is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score ...
er who played as a right corner-back for club side St Mary's, divisional side South Kerry, at inter-county level with the
Kerry senior football team The Kerry county football team represents Kerry in men's Gaelic football and is governed by Kerry GAA, the county board of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The team competes in the three major annual inter-county competitions; the All-Ireland S ...
and at inter-provincial level with
Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...
. He was the father of Irish
rugby union Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that orig ...
coach and former international rugby player
Conor O'Shea Conor O'Shea () (born 21 October 1970) is an Irish rugby union coach and former player. He was the head coach of the Italy national team from 2016 to 2019. He played as a full back and occasionally at out-half and centre for Ireland, Lansd ...
.


Playing career


Cahersiveen CBS

O'Shea first came to prominence as a Gaelic footballer with Cahersiveen CBS. He won back-to-back Dunloe Cup titles in 1946 and 1947 following successive defeats of Tralee CBS.


South Kerry

On 9 October 1955, O'Shea
captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...
ed the South Kerry senior team from centre-back in the county final against North Kerry. A last-minute
Mick O'Dwyer Michael O'Dwyer (9 June 1936 – 3 April 2025) was an Irish Gaelic football manager and player. He most famously managed the senior Kerry county team between 1974 and 1989, during which time he became the county's longest-serving manager, and ...
point secured a draw with the replay taking place three weeks later. A 2–05 to 0–09 victory secured a first
County Championship The County Championship, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Rothesay County Championship, is the only domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales. Established in 1890, it is organised by the England and Wales Cri ...
medal for O'Shea. O'Shea won a second championship medal on 13 October 1956 after a 1–11 to 0–10 defeat of Kerins O'Rahilly's in the final. Three-in-a-row proved beyond South Kerry, however, the team qualified for a third final in four years on 26 April 1959. A 1–13 to 1–05 defeat of St Brendan's secured a third championship medal for O'Shea.


Kerry


Minor

O'Shea first played for Kerry when he was selected for the minor team in 1949. He was a non-playing substitute for the championship campaign, but ended the season with a Munster Championship medal after a 3–04 to 1–05 defeat of
Cork "Cork" or "CORK" may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable buoyant plant product ** Stopper (plug), or "cork", a cylindrical or conical object used to seal a container *** Wine cork an item to seal or reseal wine Places Ireland * ...
in the final. Eligible for the minor grade again in 1949, O'Shea made his championship debut on 19 June 1949 in a 1–10 to 1–06 defeat of Clare in the Munster Championship at Cusack Park. He later won a second successive provincial winners' medal - his first on the field of play - after a two-point defeat of Cork in the final. On 25 September 1949, O'Shea was at right corner-forward when Kerry suffered a two-point defeat by
Armagh Armagh ( ; , , " Macha's height") is a city and the county town of County Armagh, in Northern Ireland, as well as a civil parish. It is the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland – the seat of the Archbishops of Armagh, the Primates of All ...
in the All-Ireland final.


Senior

O'Shea made his first appearance for the Kerry senior team on 6 August 1950 in a challenge game against
Wexford Wexford ( ; archaic Yola dialect, Yola: ''Weiseforthe'') is the county town of County Wexford, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Wexford lies on the south side of Wexford Harbour, the estuary of the River Slaney near the southeastern corner of the ...
to mark the official opening of Con Keating Park in
Cahirciveen Cahersiveen (), sometimes Cahirciveen, is a town in the south-west of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, in County Kerry. As of the 2022 census of Ireland, 2022 census, it had a population of 1,297. Geography Cahersiveen is on the slopes of 376-met ...
. Just over a year later he linked up with the Kerry senior team again after the team drew with Mayo in the All-Ireland semi-final. O'Shea was invited to take part in a trial game in
Tralee Tralee ( ; , ; formerly , meaning 'strand of the River Lee') is the county town of County Kerry in the south-west of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The town is on the northern side of the neck of the Dingle Peninsula, and is the largest town in ...
and, after impressing the selectors, was invited to take part in collective training with the team in
Ballyheigue Ballyheigue ( ), officially Ballyheige (), is a coastal town and civil parish in County Kerry, Ireland. It is northwest of Tralee along the R551 road. It is a scenic locale which forms part of the Wild Atlantic Way and has several miles of bea ...
. After the final trial and team selection he was listed as an official substitute with a strong possibility of coming on during the game. However, O'Shea had played illegally for club side
Mitchelstown Mitchelstown () is a town in the north of County Cork, Ireland with a population of over 3,740. It is situated in the valley to the south of the Galtee Mountains. Mitchelstown is 13 km south-west of the Mitchelstown Cave, 53 km nor ...
on the day of the drawn game and had to withdraw from the panel. On 9 March 1952, O'Shea made his competitive debut for the Kerry senior team in a 1–09 to 1–07 defeat of Mayo in the
National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
. Later that season he made his first Munster Championship appearance in a 0–14 to 1–07 defeat of
Waterford Waterford ( ) is a City status in Ireland, city in County Waterford in the South-East Region, Ireland, south-east of Ireland. It is located within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster. The city is situated at the head of Waterford H ...
. On 19 July 1953, O'Shea won his first Munster Championship medal after a 2–07 to 2–03 defeat of Cork in the final. In the week leading up to the All-Ireland semi-final against
Louth Louth may refer to: Australia *Hundred of Louth, a cadastral unit in South Australia * Louth, New South Wales, a town * Louth Bay, a bay in South Australia ** Louth Bay, South Australia, a town and locality Canada * Louth, Ontario Ireland * Cou ...
, he was struck down with threatened
pleurisy Pleurisy, also known as pleuritis, is inflammation of the membranes that surround the lungs and line the chest cavity (Pulmonary pleurae, pleurae). This can result in a sharp chest pain while breathing. Occasionally the pain may be a constant d ...
. Donie Murphy took his place for that game and, even though O'Shea had recovered in time for the All-Ireland final, he failed to regain his place on the starting fifteen. In spite of this, he won his first
All-Ireland All-Ireland (sometimes All-Island) is a term used to describe organisations and events whose interests extend over the entire island of Ireland, as opposed to the separate jurisdictions of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. "All-Irelan ...
medal as a non-playing substitute after a 0–13 to 1–06 defeat of Armagh. O'Shea retained his place on the Kerry panel in 1954, however, he found it difficult to break back into the starting fifteen. On 25 July 1954, he won a second Munster Championship medal after being introduced as a substitute for John Cronin in a 4–09 to 2–03 defeat of Cork in the final. O'Shea was later an unused substitute in Kerry's six-point All-Ireland final defeat by
Meath County Meath ( ; or simply , ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in the Eastern and Midland Region of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. It is bordered by County Dublin to the southeast, County ...
. On 24 July 1955, O'Shea won a third successive Munster Championship medal after a 0–14 to 2–06 defeat of Cork in the final. By this stage he had reestablished himself on the starting fifteen as left corner-back and was selected in that position for the All-Ireland final against
Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...
on 25 September 1955. Kerry won by 0–12 to 1-06, with O'Shea averting a late Dublin goal hunt when he plucked the ball out of the Kerry goal two minutes from the end. It was his second All-Ireland medal overall and his first on the field of play. O'Shea was appointed captain of the Kerry team in 1956 and retained the captaincy in 1957. On 13 July 1958, O'Shea won a fourth Munster Championship medal after a 2–07 to 0–03 defeat of Cork in the final. O'Shea won his sole
National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
on 10 May 1959 after a 2–08 to 1–08 defeat of
Derry Derry, officially Londonderry, is the second-largest City status in the United Kingdom, city in Northern Ireland, and the fifth-largest on the island of Ireland. Located in County Londonderry, the city now covers both banks of the River Fo ...
in the final. Later that season he won a fifth Munster Championship medal as Cork were defeated in the final once again. On 27 September 1959, O'Shea won his third and final All-Ireland medal when Kerry defeated
Galway Galway ( ; , ) is a City status in Ireland, city in (and the county town of) County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay. It is the most populous settlement in the province of Connacht, the List of settleme ...
by 3–07 to 1–04 in the
final Final, Finals or The Final may refer to: *Final examination or finals, a test given at the end of a course of study or training *Final (competition), the last or championship round of a sporting competition, match, game, or other contest which d ...
. On 24 July 1960, O'Shea won a sixth Munster Championship medal when Kerry defeated
Waterford Waterford ( ) is a City status in Ireland, city in County Waterford in the South-East Region, Ireland, south-east of Ireland. It is located within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster. The city is situated at the head of Waterford H ...
by 3–15 to 0–08 in the final. He retained the left corner-back position when Kerry faced Down in the All-Ireland final on 25 September 1960. The sides were level early in the second half before Down made the first significant breakthrough with a goal. They eventually won by 2–10 to 0–08 to claim their first ever All-Ireland title. O'Shea was dropped from the starting fifteen in 1959, however, he won a seventh Munster Championship medal as a non-playing substitute following Kerry's 2–13 to 1–04 defeat of Cork in a Munster final replay. He made his last championship appearance on 6 August 1961 in a 1–12 to 0-09 All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Down. O'Brien retired from inter-county football following this defeat.


Honours

; Cahersiveen CBS * Dunloe Cup (2): 1946, 1947 ;St Mary's * South Kerry Senior Football Championship (6): 1947, 1949, 1952, 1954 (c), 1955, 1960 ;Mitchelstown * North Cork Junior A Football Championship (1): 1951 ;Iveragh *
Kerry Intermediate Football Championship The Kerry Intermediate Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition contested by mid-tier Kerry GAA clubs. Austin Stacks GAA, Austin Stacks are the title holders, having defeated Laune Rangers GAA, Laune Rangers 1–14 to 0– ...
(1): 1948 ;South Kerry *
Kerry Senior Football Championship The Kerry Senior Football Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as Garvey’s SuperValu Senior Football Championship) is an annual Gaelic football competition organised by the Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 18 ...
(3): 1955 (c), 1956, 1958 ;Kerry *
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (SFC) () is the premier inter-county competition in Gaelic football. County (Gaelic games), County teams compete against each other and the winner is declared All-Ireland Champions. Organised by the ...
(3):
1953 Events January * January 6 – The Asian Socialist Conference opens in Rangoon, Burma. * January 12 – Estonian émigrés found a Estonian government-in-exile, government-in-exile in Oslo. * January 14 ** Marshal Josip Broz Tito ...
,
1955 Events January * January 3 – José Ramón Guizado becomes president of Panama. * January 17 – , the first nuclear-powered submarine, puts to sea for the first time, from Groton, Connecticut. * January 18– 20 – Battle of Yijian ...
,
1959 Events January * January 1 – Cuba: Fulgencio Batista flees Havana when the forces of Fidel Castro advance. * January 2 – Soviet lunar probe Luna 1 is the first human-made object to attain escape velocity from Earth. It reaches the ...
*
Munster Senior Football Championship The Munster Senior Football Championship, known simply as the Munster Championship and shortened to Munster SFC, is an annual inter-county Gaelic football competition organised by the Munster GAA, Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Associatio ...
(7):
1953 Events January * January 6 – The Asian Socialist Conference opens in Rangoon, Burma. * January 12 – Estonian émigrés found a Estonian government-in-exile, government-in-exile in Oslo. * January 14 ** Marshal Josip Broz Tito ...
,
1954 Events January * January 3 – The Italian broadcaster RAI officially begins transmitting. * January 7 – Georgetown–IBM experiment: The first public demonstration of a machine translation system is held in New York, at the head ...
,
1955 Events January * January 3 – José Ramón Guizado becomes president of Panama. * January 17 – , the first nuclear-powered submarine, puts to sea for the first time, from Groton, Connecticut. * January 18– 20 – Battle of Yijian ...
,
1958 Events January * January 1 – The European Economic Community (EEC) comes into being. * January 3 – The West Indies Federation is formed. * January 4 ** Edmund Hillary's Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition completes the thir ...
,
1959 Events January * January 1 – Cuba: Fulgencio Batista flees Havana when the forces of Fidel Castro advance. * January 2 – Soviet lunar probe Luna 1 is the first human-made object to attain escape velocity from Earth. It reaches the ...
,
1960 It is also known as the "Year of Africa" because of major events—particularly the independence of seventeen African nations—that focused global attention on the continent and intensified feelings of Pan-Africanism. Events January * Janu ...
,
1961 Events January * January 1 – Monetary reform in the Soviet Union, 1961, Monetary reform in the Soviet Union. * January 3 ** United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower announces that the United States has severed diplomatic and cons ...
*
National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
(1): 1958-59 *
Munster Minor Football Championship The Munster Minor Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for the youngest competitors (under-18) in the province of Munster in Ireland. It is ...
(2):
1948 Events January * January 1 ** The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is inaugurated. ** The current Constitutions of Constitution of Italy, Italy and of Constitution of New Jersey, New Jersey (both later subject to amendment) ...
,
1949 Events January * January 1 – A United Nations-sponsored ceasefire brings an end to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. The war results in a stalemate and the division of Kashmir, which still continues as of 2025 * January 2 – Luis ...


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oshea, Jerome 1931 births 2018 deaths 20th-century Irish economists Kerry inter-county Gaelic footballers Munster inter-provincial Gaelic footballers People from Cahersiveen St Mary's (Kerry) Gaelic footballers South Kerry Gaelic footballers