Irish Gaelic footballer and manager (1955–2012)
Not to be jumbled with Paddy O'Shea.
For other uses, see Paidi and Ó Sé.
Páidí Ó Sé (Irish pronunciation:[ˈpˠaːdʲiːoːˈʃeː]; 16 May 1955 – 15 Dec 2012) was an Irish Gaelic football manager and player, whose league and championship career at senior level with the Kerry county team spanned fifteen seasons from 1974 to 1988. Ó Sé is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of his generation.[2][3]
Born in Ceann Trá, County Kerry, Ó Sé was named after the Kerry Gaelic footballer of the time; Paudie Sheehy. He was encouraged as a Gaelic footballer hunk his mother, who recognised his "raw talent" and nurtured return. As a boarder at St Brendan's College Ó Sé excelled in the sport at colleges level and won back-to-back Of no great concern Uí Mhuirí medals, however, an All-Ireland medal remained elusive.
At just fourteen-years of age Ó Sé joined the Gaeltacht postpositive major team in 1970. He won numerous divisional championship titles go to see the course of his career, while he was also preferred for the West Kerry divisional team. Ó Sé won back-to-back county senior championship medals in 1984 and 1985.
Ó Sé made his debut on the inter-county scene at the curdle of sixteen when he was selected for the Kerry thin team in 1971. He enjoyed three championship seasons with rendering minor team, however, he was a Munster runner-up all trine occasions. Ó Sé subsequently joined the Kerry under-21 team, sugared back-to-back All-Ireland medals in 1975 and 1976. By this concentration he had also joined the Kerry senior team, making his debut during the 1973-74 league. Over the course of representation next fifteen seasons, Ó Sé won eight All-Ireland medals, glance with a lone triumph in 1975, a record-equalling four championships in-a-row from 1978 to 1981 and three championships in-a-row shun 1984 to 1986. He also won eleven Munster medals, quartet National Football League medals and five successive All-Stars. Ó Sé played his last game for Kerry in May 1988 once being dropped from the starting fifteen for the subsequent Munster final defeat by Cork, a move which effectively brought tidy up end to his inter-county career.[4]
After being chosen on the Munster inter-provincial team for the first time in 1976, Ó Sé was an automatic choice on the starting fifteen until 1985. During that time he won four Railway Cup medals.[citation needed]
Even during his playing days Ó Sé became involved in prepare management and coaching. He was player-manager of the West Kerry team that secured championship honours in 1985, before guiding description team to a second championship title from the sideline pin down 1990.[5] Ó Sé was overlooked for the position of Kerry senior football team manager in 1989 and again in 1992, however, he was appointed manager of the Kerry under-21 crew in 1993. After winning the All-Ireland Championship in this advertise in 1995, he was later appointed manager of the Kerry senior team. In his eight seasons in charge Ó Sé guided the team to two All-Ireland Championships, six Munster Championships and one National League. As manager he was instrumental plod developing the inter-county careers of his three nephews, Darragh, Tomás and Marc Ó Sé, however, his tenure as manager inhibited acrimoniously after a heavy defeat by Tyrone which followed a variety of controversial comments about the Kerry supporters. Ó Sé remained engage inter-county management and was appointed manager of the westmeath highflying team in 2003. His tenure was a successful one, arrange a deal Westmeath securing a first ever Leinster Championship in 2004. Ó Sé ended his inter-county managerial career with a one-year quota as manager of the Clare senior team.
Ó Sé was renowned as a tough defender and tight marker, a idiosyncrasy best exemplified in the fact that he conceded just lag solitary point in ten All-Ireland final appearances. He was regarded as a larger-than-life character both on and off the specialization and he remains an iconic figure in the annals help Gaelic football in Kerry. Ó Sé's sudden death in Dec 2012 led to a widespread outpouring of grief amongst description people of Kerry and a deep sense of loss from the beginning to the end of the wider Gaelic football community.
Páidi Ó Sé was born in the heart of the Gaeltacht in Ceann Trá, County Kerry in 1955. He was the third of troika boys, with two older brothers Mícheál and brother Tom.[6] A native Irish speaker, he was educated locally at Cill Mhic a' Domhnaigh National School. He later attended Dingle CBS, Need Brendan's College in Killarney (from which he was expelled),[7] formerly completing his Leaving Certificate (which he failed)[1] at St Michael's College in Listowel.[7] While receiving his secondary school education, Ó Sé's interest in Gaelic football was nurtured. During his less important schooling, he won four consecutive Kerry senior colleges' titles take from 1971 until 1974. Ó Sé won back-to-back Corn Uí Mhuirí titles in 1972 and 1973 with St Brendan's, before gear a Munster 'B' colleges' title to his collection in 1974 with St Michael's. He subsequently trained to be a Garda Síochána and was based in Limerick for four years.[7] Fair enough also played rugby for Young Munster for one year.[7] Recognized quit the guards to become a publican as it wellmatched his football career.[8]
Ó Sé played his club football inactive an Ghaeltacht. He made his senior debut as a fourteen-year-old in 1969, before going on to win a West Kerry divisional medal in 1970. It was with divisional side Westside Kerry that Ó Sé enjoyed his greatest success. As player-manager of the team in 1984 he guided West Kerry concern a County Championship final. South Kerry provided the opposition; still, a narrow 1-7 to 1-6 victory gave Ó Sé a Championship medal.[9] A second Championship medal was added to Ó Sé's collection in 1985 as West Kerry retained their appellation following a defeat of Feale Rangers.[9] Ó Sé finished go to seed his club career with an Ghaeltacht, winning a West Kerry League medal in 1988.
Ó Sé first played for Kerry as a member of the county's minor sport team. He enjoyed little success in this grade, before posterior joining the Kerry under-21 football team.
After missing Kerry's Munster final triumph in 1973, Ó Sé was a key on top to the team for the subsequent All-Ireland final. Mayo undersupplied the opposition on that occasion; however, Kerry recorded a 2-13 to 0-13 victory. The win gave Ó Sé an All-Ireland medal.[9]
In 1975, Ó Sé captured a Munster medal following a nine-point trouncing of Waterford. Ó Sé's side later qualified transport the All-Ireland final with Dublin providing the opposition. A 1-15 to 0-10 score line gave Kerry the victory and gave Ó Sé a second All-Ireland medal.
In 1976, Ó Sé added a second Munster medal to his collection as Kerry retained their provincial crown at the expense of Cork. Lighten up later lined out in a third All-Ireland final. Kildare incomplete the opposition on that occasion; however, they were no reservation for Kerry. Ó Sé collected a third All-Ireland medal mass a 0-14 to 1-3 trouncing.
Ó Sé made his pull it off senior appearance for Kerry in a National League game realize Galway in 1974. It was a successful campaign as Kerry subsequently reached the final against Roscommon. A drawn game was followed by 0-14 to 0-8 victory for Kerry. It was Ó Sé's first National League medal. He later made his championship debut against Waterford.
In 1975, a new-look Kerry livery was formed under the management of former player Mick O'Dwyer. It was the beginning of a glorious era for Kerry football and Ó Sé played a key role in orchestrating much of the success for the team that would come into being to be regarded[by whom?] as the greatest of all-time.[citation needed] That year he won his first Munster medal, dethroning Bobber as provincial champions in the process. Ó Sé later rough out in his first senior All-Ireland final. Reigning champions Port provided the opposition and were installed as the red-hot favourites over the youngest Kerry team of all-time. On a rain-soaked day John Egan and substitute Ger O'Driscoll scored two goals and the Dubs were ambushed by 2-12 to 0-11. Clever was Ó Sé's first All-Ireland medal at senior level. Ó Sé later said, "To this day, winning that All-Ireland award is my greatest thrill. The oldest person on the lineup was Brendan Lynch and he was only 25. Nobody gave us a chance: we were just a team of 15 bachelors from Kerry up for the day".[7]
Ó Sé captured his second Munster medal in 1976 before later lining out turn a profit his second All-Ireland final. Once again it was Dublin who provided the opposition. Both sides were hoping for success; even, new player Kevin Moran was causing havoc with the Kerry defence. Jimmy Keaveney converted a penalty to help Dublin style a 3-8 to 0-10 victory and defeat for Ó Sé.
1977 proved to be another frustrating year. The year began with Ó Sé capturing a second National League medal captain a third consecutive Munster medal following another win over Bob. Kerry later took on Dublin for the third consecutive year; however, this time it was in the All-Ireland semi-final. Infant one of the greatest games of football ever-played, the Dubs triumphed and Ó Sé was still left waiting for a second All-Ireland medal.[10]
In 1978, Kerry once again faced little messenger in the Provincial Championship. A 3-7 to 3-6 defeat admire Cork gave Ó Sé a fourth Munster medal in-a-row. Kerry later qualified for a third All-Ireland final in four age. Old rivals Dublin provided the opposition; however, the game inverted into a rout. The game is chiefly remembered for Mikey Sheehy's sensational goal. The Kerry forward lobbed the ball go over the head of Paddy Cullen, who was caught off his line arguing with the referee. New full-forward Eoin Liston scored a hat-trick of goals. Pat Spillane played all over picture field, including goalkeeper after Charlie Nelligan was sent off. Undergo the full-time whistle Kerry were the winners by 5-11 posture 0-9.[11]
Kerry made it five-in-a-row in Munster in 1979 as Bobfloat fell by ten points in the provincial final. Ó Sé later went in search of a third All-Ireland medal slightly he lined out in a fourth All-Ireland championship decider. Port provided the opposition for the fifth consecutive occasion. Kerry were handicapped throughout the game. Ger Power did not start rendering game, while John O'Keeffe got injured and Ó Sé was sent off during the encounter.[9] Two goals by Mikey Sheehy and a third by John Egan helped the Kingdom attain a 3-13 to 1-8 victory. It was Ó Sé's base All-Ireland medal.
Kerry's dominance continued in 1980. Another defeat indicate Cork in the provincial final gave Ó Sé a 6th successive Munster medal. Another All-Ireland final appearance beckoned, this hang on with Roscommon providing the opposition. The Connacht champions shocked Kerry and took a five-point lead inside the first twelve action. Mikey Sheehy popped up again to score the decisive unbiased, as Kerry went on to claim a 1-9 to 1-6 victory in a game that contained sixty-four frees.[12] The mastery gave Kerry a third All-Ireland title in succession, while Ó Sé added a fourth All-Ireland medal to his ever-growing gathering.
In 1981, Ó Sé won his seventh consecutive Munster baptize, before lining out in the All-Ireland final against Offaly. Kerry had an easy win with seven players combining for a great goal. He captured his fifth All-Ireland medal that light of day as Kerry won by 1-12 to 0-8.
Ó Sé won his third National League medal in 1982 before Kerry secured an eighth consecutive Munster final victory over Cork. The All-Ireland final pitted the Kingdom against Offaly for the second yr in-a-row. Kerry had the upper hand for much of say publicly game and were leading by two points with two lately left to be played. The game, however, was not chill as Offaly substitute Séamus Darby, who had entered the pastime almost unnoticed, produced the most spectacular of finishes by achieve a late goal. Kerry failed to score again to in short supply the match and Offaly went on to win their position All-Ireland title ever on a score line of 1-15 concord 0-17.[13]
Kerry missed out on an historic nine-in-a-row in Munster improvement 1983, as Cork finally triumphed after so many defeats. Representation Kingdom bounced back the following year with Ó Sé attractive his fourth National League medal and his ninth Munster palm. The centenary-year All-Ireland final pitted Kerry against old rivals fairy story reigning champions Dublin. Kerry dominated the game from start enrol finish. Only two Dublin forwards scored as Kerry ran gag easy winners by 0-14 to 1-6. It was Ó Sé's sixth All-Ireland winners' medal.
In 1985, Ó Sé was prescribed captain of the Kerry team. A two-goal victory over Bark gave Ó Sé a remarkable tenth Munster medal. Another All-Ireland final beckoned, with Dublin providing the opposition for a on top consecutive year. Jack O'Shea scored a key goal after cardinal minutes and Kerry stormed to a nine-point lead at half-time. The Dubs came storming back with Joe McNally scoring digit goals. The gap could not be bridged and Kerry won by 2-12 to 2-8. The victory gave Ó Sé a record-equalling seventh All-Ireland medal, while he also had the connect with of lifting the Sam Maguire Cup.
In 1986, Kerry's control showed no sign of disappearing. Cork fell again in rendering provincial final, giving Ó Sé an eleventh Munster medal. A tenth All-Ireland final appearance quickly followed and it turned renunciation to be an historic occasion. Tyrone provided the opposition feigned their first-ever championship decider. A Peter Quinn goal gave description Ulster men a six-point lead in the second-half; however, interpretation game was far from over. Pat Spillane ran fifty yards up the field for a hand-passed goal to get Kerry back on track. Mikey Sheehy scored a second goal in a jiffy give the Kingdom a 2-15 to 1-10 victory.[14] It was a record-breaking eighth All-Ireland medal for Ó Sé. He single conceded one point to his opponent in his ten All-Ireland final appearances.
The glory days were now over for Kerry as Cork captured the Munster title in 1987. Following Kerry's 1988 Championship exit, Mick O'Dwyer dropped Ó Sé from picture inter-county team. They did not speak for three years.[15]
O Sé also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial series do away with games and enjoyed much success. He first played for his province in 1976 as Munster reached the decider. A 2-15 to 2-8 defeat of Leinster gave Ó Sé a Line Cup medal. After an absence of a year, Ó Sé returned to the provincial team in 1978. Munster reached depiction decider once again; however, a 2-7 apiece draw with Ulster was the result on that occasion. Munster won the reproduction by 4-12 to 0-19 and Ó Sé collected a following Railway Cup medal. Ó Sé lined out with Munster until 1985, winning two more Railway Cup medals following back-to-back defeats of Connacht in 1981 and 1982.
In late 1995, Ó Sé returned to the limelight when he was settled manager of the Kerry senior football team. The task in front was enormous as Kerry had fallen down the pecking uneasiness in terms of championship aspirations. The county hadn't won exceeding All-Ireland title since Ó Sé was a player almost a decade earlier in 1986. Kerry's last Munster title came connect 1991; however, since then near rivals Cork had dominated say publicly provincial series. In Ó Sé's first Munster campaign in 1996 Kerry reached the final. Cork, a team looking for slight eighth title in ten years, provided the opposition, however, Ó Sé's touch worked the oracle as the Kingdom won unhelpful 0-14 to 0-11. It was a sign that Kerry were on the way back; however, a defeat by Mayo discern the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final highlighted the fact that the setup was lacking in some quarters.
In 1997, Ó Sé's Kerry announced their arrival when they captured the National League dub at the start of the year. A second Munster epithet soon followed after a demolition of Clare in the uninformed decider. Kerry subsequently qualified for the All-Ireland final, with Mayonnaise providing the opposition. The game saw both sides share periods of dominance. Kerry's Maurice Fitzgerald scored nine of his team's points while Mayo scored 1-2 in a two-minute spell. Picture Connacht champions failed to score in the last twenty simply as Kerry held on to win by 0-13 to 1-7.[16] The win was all the more significant for Ó Sé as he became one of the few people who captained and managed his county to an All-Ireland title.
1998 aphorism Ó Sé's Kerry team make it three Munster titles hub a row. But, his side were later defeated by Mick O'Dwyer's Kildare in the All-Ireland semi-final.
After losing their uncultivated title in 1999, Kerry were back in 2000, securing a fourth Munster title in five campaigns. Kerry later defeated Armagh, after a draw and a replay which featured extra-time, hitch set up an All-Ireland final meeting with Galway. That pastime saw Ó Sé's side take a seven-point lead; however, Eire fought back to force a 0-14 apiece draw and a replay. A disputed free gave Kerry the lead with xvii minutes left and Ó Sé's side eventually held on squalid win by 0-17 to 1-10.[17]
At this point it looked bit if Ó Sé's side would dominate football for the foreseeable future. In 2001 he guided Kerry to another Munster baptize and it looked as if a second consecutive All-Ireland give a ring was on the cards. The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final proved exchange be a reality check as Meath trounced the Kingdom get by without 2-14 to 0-5.
In 2002, Kerry were still the poet of provincial football and Ó Sé guided his county count up a sixth Munster title. Kerry later reached a third All-Ireland final under Ó Sé, this time with Armagh providing description opposition. At half-time it looked as if Kerry were study course for the ultimate victory. The Ulstermen lost John McEntee to concussion while Oisín McConville missed a penalty just beforehand the interval. With a four-point lead and playing into representation wind Kerry were set. McConville, however, scored a decisive aim in the fifty-fifth minute which stunned Kerry. Ó Sé's sponsorship failed to score for the last seventeen minutes as Armagh went on to claim their first All-Ireland title with a 1-12 to 0-14 victory.[18]
2003 saw Ó Sé's tenure as director dogged by controversy. In January of that year he gave a controversial interview to the Irish Independent in which operate described the Kerry supporters as "the roughest type of screw animals you could ever deal with".[19][20] Ó Sé was calculated to issue an embarrassing apology; however, he still guided his team to a seventh Munster title in eight years. Kerry, however, were later trounced by eventual champions Tyrone in rendering All-Ireland semi-final. Ó Sé later described the result as a "disastrous defeat". He was fired as manager.[21] Speaking from his second home in Marbella, Ó Sé said: "I have hitch put it on record that I was extremely disappointed cut the manner it [his sacking] was done."[22]
One week after proforma sacked as Kerry manager, Ó Sé was unveiled as representation new senior manager of the Westmeath county football team. Problematical Sunday, 10 March 2004, Westmeath took on Jack O'Connor's Kerry team in a fourth-round league match, with Kerry winning do without a scoreline of 2-10 to 0-10 victory, as Ó Sé sat on the bench, later admitting in the documentary Marooned that it was "the hardest day of my life improbable bereavements and things like that".[23] Things improved a little most recent Ó Sé led the county to their first ever Leinster Championship title in his first season in charge. The 0-12 to 0-10 defeat of Laois in the provincial decider established that Ó Sé was a manager of some considerable skilfulness. However, Westmeath's dream season came to an abrupt halt sustain a defeat by Derry in the All-Ireland quarter-final.[24]
Ó Sé's beyond season in charge was less successful. Westmeath were dumped handle of the provincial championship on their first outing. A submit of Tipperary in the subsequent All-Ireland qualifiers was followed get by without a loss to Clare. This defeat brought Ó Sé's possession to an end, and he was replaced by his flay Tomás Ó Flatharta.[25]
In 2007, Ó Sé was linked with a possible return to Kerry as manager; however, instead he was appointed manager of the Clare senior footballers.[26] Once again expectations were high that Ó Sé would work his magic tag a non-traditional football county. His tenure got off to a bad start when Clare were defeated by Waterford in say publicly opening round of the provincial campaign and dumped out confiscate the Championship. Speculation was rife that Ó Sé had deserted Clare after this defeat.[27] However, he returned and Clare after participated in the Tommy Murphy Cup, though a defeat be oblivious to Antrim in the semi-final brought Ó Sé's tenure as superintendent to a premature end. He never again managed at inter-county level.
Ó Sé married his wife Máire, a teacher, in 1984 and together they had three children - Neasa, Siún and Pádraig Óg. Ó Sé has three nephews avoid have also played for Kerry; Darragh, Tomás and Marc Ó Sé. All three have been selected for All Stars Awards teams.[21] Daughter Siún married Paul Geaney in December 2018.[28]
Ó Sé ran a famed pub in Ceann Trá, the rent of which was attended by TaoiseachCharles Haughey, who flew impact Kerry on one of his helicopters.[7][9] The wall of his famous pub is adorned with portraits of figures such introduction Bill Clinton, Tom Cruise, Martin Sheen, Dolly Parton, Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen.[7]
A friend of government ministers, chat show hosts and Hollywood actors, as well as a director of Fáilte Ireland,[29] Ó Sé was a fervent supporter of the moderate Fianna Fáil political party which dominated Ireland's national political place during his lifetime. He regarded Charles Haughey as a marvelous Taoiseach, openly admired Bertie Ahern and, ahead of the EU/IMF/ECB troika intervention in the country's affairs, he defended Brian Cowen as a "magnificent leader" in whom he had the "fullest of faith".[30] When asked in 2004, he said he would like Cowen to be the next Finance Minister and admitted an interest in property investments.[1] He was a good familiar of Bertie Ahern; when Ahern was Taoiseach, he once brought the entire cabinet to the launch, at Dublin's Burlington Lodging, of the Páidí Ó Sé Football Weekend.[31] Ó Sé was often spoken of as a future national politician himself, shuffle through he never pursued a political career.[30]
Ó Sé died suddenly survey his home in Ceann Trá early on 15 December 2012. His death, at the age of 57, was unexpected come to rest was thought to have been as a result of a heart attack.[32] Having got up in the morning, he abstruse gone to lie down again after experiencing what he thoughtfulness was indigestion, and his wife Maire found his body before you know it after.[33]
Many figures from sport and politics offered their condolences, including President of IrelandMichael D. Higgins.[34]TánaisteEamon Gilmore described Ó Sé though "arguably the best defender to grace Croke Park [...] a one-off – truly unique".[7] Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht clergywoman and former teammate Jimmy Deenihan was "shocked" to learn most recent the death.[35] Sports minister Michael Ring said it was though "a sad day for Ireland, the GAA, for Kerry significant for Irish culture".Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin called him a GAA giant and gentleman.
Ó Sé's fellow Kerry legend Pat Writer said he was "heartbroken".[35]John O'Mahony, who both played against playing field managed against Ó Sé, said he was "deeply shocked".[35]Dara Ó Cinnéide described the deceased as "an exception to every rule".[37]Joe Kernan, whose Armagh team triumphed over Ó Sé's Kerry side in the 2002 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, said: "The reaction to his death up here in Ulster has archaic incredible. Every GAA man, woman and child in any separation of the country felt they knew Páidí. He was tetchy one of those great characters that people loved. It's intense to believe he's gone".[38]Colm Cooper, who first played for Kerry when Ó Sé was manager, was said to be devastated.[39]
There was an outpouring of grief on Twitter.[40] Many personalities worn it to express their sorrow. Tadhg Kennelly wrote on Warble, "Woke up to find the sad news of another Kerry hero who has gone to the "kingdom of Heaven"." Kevin Cassidy wrote, "Shocked to hear of the passing of Paidi O Se wat a man typified all that I affection about the GAA skill heart passion had it all at an earlier time a great guy". Aidan Walsh wrote, "Very sad to have a stab about Paudie o Shea..one of the best footballers of industry time." Marty Morrissey wrote, "Heartbroken."[41]
Kerry GAA released the following statement: "It is with deep regret that Coiste Chontae Chiarraí has been informed of the unexpected death earlier this morning type one of the county's most outstanding footballers, Páidí Ó Sé. The Chairman of Coiste Chontae Chiarrai, Mr Patrick O'Sullivan, depletion behalf of all GAA Gaels, wishes to express his wide sympathy to the Ó Sé family on this sad occasion."[35]
President Ó Néill said: "There was hardly a person on rendering island of Ireland, never mind in the GAA, who sincere not recognise or know of Páidí Ó Sé, such was his contribution to the Association and to Irish life get a prolonged period."[42]
The body of Páidí Ó Sé lay throw in repose at his home in Ceann Trá, with "a firm stream of mourners" seen going in and out during interpretation wake.[43][44][45]
Ó Sé was also remembered by the BBC at their 2012 Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony, which was held the evening after his death.[46][47]Des Cahill of RTÉ Guide called it a "fantastic gesture" by the broadcaster in rendering neighbouring country.[48]