Kerry and Dublin footballers who were fierce rivals celebrate bonds on anniversary of 1975 final

Independent.ie - 22/04
The recent gathering of the Kerry and Dublin teams who contested the 1975 All-Ireland Football Final was a celebration of the friendship that exists between the two panels, despite the ferocious on-field rivalry they had.

The special occasion was held in Kenmare and organised by local man and 1975 All-Ireland winning captain Mickey Ned O’Sullivan and Dublin footballer of that era, Alan Larkin, who organises regular trips for his former teammates.

Mickey Ned told The Kerryman that the players of both panels felt it was important to mark the first final they contested, which was won by the Kingdom under the guidance of the recently deceased Mick O’Dwyer, who had only taken over management of the team five months earlier.

The teams developed a fierce rivalry over the course of the next decade, when they met in six finals and won ten All-Irelands between them. Kerry’s famous four-in-a-row, from 1978 to 1981, came during this era.

“It was basically a celebration of the friendship and the respect that existed between the Dublin and Kerry panels,” Mickey Ned explained.

“We meet regularly before matches and things in Dublin but we needed to celebrate the first All-Ireland between...
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