Jack O'Shea

Jack O'Shea (born 19 November 1957 in Cahersiveen, County Kerry) is an Irish former sportsperson.

He played Gaelic football at various times with his local clubs St Mary's in Kerry and Leixlip in Kildare.

By the early 1970s, O'Shea had come to prominence on the Kerry minor football team.

He made his minor championship debut against Waterford in 1974, however, the year ended without any success for Kerry.

In 1975, a 3–7 to 1–11 defeat of arch-rivals Cork gave O'Shea a Munster winners' medal in the minor grade.

That same year he was a late inclusion on Kerry's under-21 football team.

O'Shea missed Kerry's Munster under-21 final triumph; however, he later lined out in the All-Ireland final in that grade with Dublin providing the opposition.

A 1–15 to 0–10 score line gave Kerry the victory and gave O'Shea an All-Ireland winners' medal.

He was a member of the Kerry senior football team from 1976 until 1992.

O'Shea is regarded as one of the all-time greatest players.

He is currently a media pundit with a column in the sports section of the Irish edition of The Sunday Times.

In 1976, O'Shea won his first Munster under-21 title as Kerry retained their provincial crown at the expense of Cork.

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

Kildare provided the opposition on that occasion; however, they were no match for Kerry.

O'Shea collected a second All-Ireland winners' medal following a 0–14 to 1–3 victory.

O'Shea made his senior inter-county debut with Kerry in late 1976 versus Meath in Navan.

In fact, 1976–77 proved to be a successful National Football League campaign with O'Shea capturing a first National Football League winners' medal.

He subsequently captured a first Munster title at senior level following a win over Cork.

Kerry later took on Dublin for the third consecutive year; however, this time it was in the All-Ireland semi-final.

In one of the greatest games of football ever-played 'The Dubs' triumphed and O'Shea was still left waiting for a senior All-Ireland final appearance.

Kerry and O'Shea made it three Munster under-21 titles in-a-row in 1977 following a two-goal defeat of Cork.

O'Shea's side later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Down providing the opposition.

A 1–11 to 1–5 score line gave Kerry the victory and gave O'Shea a third under-21 All-Ireland winners' medal.

In 1978, O'Shea made it an impressive four Munster under-21 titles in-a-row as Kerry retained their provincial crown at the expense of Cork.

He later lined out in a fourth consecutive All-Ireland final.

Roscommon provided the opposition on that occasion; however, a close game developed.

At the final whistle Kerry were defeated by 1–9 to 1–8.

In 1978, Kerry faced little competition in the provincial championship once again.

A defeat of Cork gave O'Shea a second consecutive Munster title.

Kerry later qualified for a third All-Ireland final in four years.

Old rivals Dublin provided the opposition, however, the game turned into a rout.

The game is chiefly remembered for Mikey Sheehy's sensational goal.

The Kerry forward lobbed the ball over the head of Paddy Cullen, who was caught off his line arguing with the referee.

Eoin Liston announced his arrival on the inter-county scene and scored a hat-trick of goals.

Pat Spillane played all over the field, including goalkeeper after Charlie Nelligan was sent off.

At the full-time whistle, Kerry were the winners by a 5–11 to 0–9 scoreline.

In 1979, Kerry made it five-in-a-row in Munster as Cork fell by ten points in the provincial final.

It was O'Shea's third Munster title.

He later went in search of a second consecutive All-Ireland medal.

His son Aidan made his debut for the Kerry senior team in their successful 2009 National Football League campaign.