Denis Moran

Denis "Ogie" Moran (born 16 January 1956) in Ballybunion, County Kerry) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer and manager. He played football with his local club Beale, his divisional side Shannon Rangers and also at senior level for the Kerry county team between 1975 and 1987.

Denis 'Ogie' Moran was born in Ballybunion, County Kerry in 1956.

Born into a family that had a keen interest in Gaelic games, Moran's father instilled a love of the games in his son by bringing him to matches every weekend.

In 1962, he was only six years-old when he travelled to Croke Park as the mascot to the Kerry team that captured the All-Ireland title.

Moran was educated at the local national school and later boarded at the famous Franciscan College in Gormanston, County Meath.

Moran played his club football and hurling with a host of different clubs throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

As a footballer, he enjoyed much success with his local club Beale and as a member of the Shannon Rangers divisional side.

Moran was also regarded as a hurler of note, lining out with the famous Ballyduff side in the northern part of the county.

Moran first came to prominence on the inter-county scene in the early 1970s as member of the Kerry minor football team.

It was an unhappy time for the Kingdom as archrivals Cork dominated the provincial minor championship for the early part of the decade.

Here his football skills came to the fore, and he became a key member of the college senior team that captured three Leinster colleges' titles in a row between 1972 and 1974.

In 1972, he was only sixteen years-old when he was picked for the team.

Rangers reached the final of the County Senior Championship that year, with Mid Kerry providing the opposition.

A victory on that occasion gave Moran a county winners' medal.

Five years later Moran lined out in his second county final, this time with nearby rivals Feale Rangers providing the opposition.

Another victory followed on that occasion, giving the Beale club man a second and final county winners' medal.

In 1973, Moran's side reached the final of the All-Ireland series.

St Michael's College from Enniskillen provided the opposition on that occasion and a close game developed.

At the end of the game, the Franciscans had won the day by 1-8 to 1-6 and Moran picked up an All-Ireland colleges' winners' medal.

Moran's performances at minor level made him an automatic inclusion on the Kerry under-21 team in 1975.

He captured a Munster title in that grade that same year following a nine-point victory over Waterford in the provincial decider.

Moran's side later qualified for the All-Ireland final against Dublin.

It would be the first of many battles between the two sides over the course of the next decade.

A 1-15 to 0-10 score line gave Kerry the victory and gave Moran an All-Ireland under-21 winners' medal.

In 1975, he captured his first Munster Championship and All-Ireland medals at senior level, under the new management of the legendary Mick O'Dwyer.

In 1976, Moran won his second in-a-row Munster under-21 title as Kerry retained their provincial crown against Cork.

He later lined out in a second consecutive All-Ireland final against Kildare.

Kerry were victorious on this occasion, as Moran collected a second All-Ireland winners' medal following a 0-14 to 1-3 victory.

In 1976, he won his second Munster title; however, Dublin gained revenge for the previous year by defeating Kerry in the All-Ireland final.

As a key member of the Beale senior football team, Moran helped his team to seven North Kerry divisional titles between 1977 and 1989.

This included Beale's very first divisional title in 1977, the first of a famous three-in-a-row.

As a hurler, Moran captured numerous North Kerry divisional titles.

He also claimed the ultimate honor by winning a county senior championship winners' medal.

It was with divisional side Shannon Rangers, however, that Moran enjoyed the ultimate success in terms of club football in Kerry.

Moran captured a third provincial under-21 title in 1977 following a two-goal defeat of Cork.

Kerry later qualified for a third consecutive All-Ireland final with Down providing the opposition.

A 1-11 to 1-5 score line gave Kerry the victory and gave Moran a third All-Ireland under-21 winners' medal in-a-row.

By this stage Moran was also a key member of Kerry's senior football team.

1977 was another frustrating year as Kerry won another Munster title but lost out to Dublin yet again, this time in a thrilling All-Ireland semi-final.

In 1978, Moran was captain of his native county and Kerry were primed for success.