1899

On Sunday 30th July 1899 Tarbert and Ballongford began a rivalry that was to extend well into the twentieth century. The two neighbouring teams met in a match that, to put it mildly, was not without incident. The Sentinel carried the following report:-
There was a huge crowd in attendance, and the match was not long in progress when some of the Tarbert Rover’s players refused to submit to the referee’s decision, even though he was one of their own and they seemed well inclined for a fight. However some gentlemen from outside intervened and the Tarbert team were brought to quietness.
However, it would have been a pity if the game was stopped, as the crowd was so large, the day so fine, and the sight of the beautiful and golden stream flowing into the village, the fine trees in full bloom, and the beautiful perfume of the new mown hay, made it a pleasure to drive to the venue.
Play commenced at 5.30 p.m.(old time of course). Tarbert played with the wind and the hollow and at half time led by eight points to two. The advantage of the field showed in the second half as Ballylongford came out eventual winners by a score of 2 – 4 to 0 – 9.

1901

On a dry but cold day, Sunday 13th October 1901 Tarbert Rovers played Ballylongford in Fitzmaurices field Tarbert in a tough ,bruising encounter. The teams were seventeen a side and Tarbert Rovers won the toss and played with the breeze. At half time Tarbert led by three points to nil.
Ballylongford pressed strongly in the second half but Rovers kept up the pressure to the final whistle and came out eventual winners with a score of 8 points to one goal and one point. The referee for the game was Pat McCoy of Glin.

1902

On Sunday 24th October 1902, Tarbert Rovers met Ballylongford in the final of the North Kerry Section of the County Championship of 1901.
The Correspondent for the “Kerry Reporter” reports on the match as follows:-
The match was played in Mr. O Briens field in Ballylongford and there was no shortage of willing workers to keep the crowd back to the sidelines during the match.
The match was played in a sporting manner, but when the score stood at four points to one in favour of Ballylongford the red flag was hoisted for a goal for Ballylongford. Play had then to be suspended as the umpire declared that the ball was “wrongfully transferred after passing the outer line of the side post”. Being faced with such cogent reasoning from the umpire and some heated arguments from the players, the referee disallowed the goal. (this match correspondent totally agrees with his decision).
At half time the score was Ballylongford 5 points to Tarbert’s single point.
Tarbert failed to raise their game in the second half and the game finished with a final score of 8 points to 1 point . The referee for the game was Mr. J. Lavery of Ballybunion.

1903

Jim Wren of Tarbert won an All Ireland medal with Kerry when they won the Championship in that year.
Jim was nick named “timber toes” as he was reputed to have kicked a fifty over the bar while in his bare feet.

1904

Tarbert easily disposed of Craughdarrig in the first round of the County Championship in 1904 by a score of 2 – 8 to 0 – 6 , and went on to play Ballylongford in the second round. Even though Tarbert were without the services of their captain Paul Hayes,who played a star game for Kerry on the previous Sunday, they defeated Ballylongford by a score of 1 – 6 to 0 – 4. Ballylongford lodged an objection but it was overruled and Tarbert went on to defeat Irremore in the North Kerry Region Final. Tarbert then went on to play Dr.Crokes in the County Section but were beaten by one point – Dr. Crokes 0 – 3 Tarbert 0 – 2. The Tarbert team on the day was as follows:-
J. Wren (Capt.) G. Leahy, P. Doherty, C.McGee, M.McCarthy, D.Wren, T. Scanlon, D. Walsh,
D.Meskell, T.Dillon, T. Holly, P.Murphy, J.Carrig, D. Brandon, J.Brady, H.ODonnell, G.O Sullivan.
1910 – 1939

1919 The First North Kerry League

The league began on the 4th May when Newtown played Ballydonoghue and Tarbert played Ballylongford. A high wind spoiled any attempt at good football and after a strenuous match Newtown defeated Ballydonoghue by one point to no score.
In the second match Tarbert were being led by a goal after half time when the ball burst and with no other ball available the match was abandoned. Ballylongford went on to win the refixed game but were beaten by Dromclough in the next round. For the record Listowel beat Dromclough in the final. At a subsequent meeting of the North Kerry Board, a decision was made to ensure that at least two footballs be provided for all matches in future.

1929 Tarbert County Junior Champions

Joined by some players from Ballylongford, as Bally. had no team that year, Tarbert defeated Cahirciveen in the final of the County Junior Championship. The team was as follows:-
J.Walsh, Matthew Kelly(Tarbert), Jimmy Lorigan(Tarbert), P.Fennell, P. O Brien, E. Hanrahan,
A.Gilhooley, J.M. O Connor, Mikie Keane(Tarbert), John Sheehan(Tarbert), P.Neville, Patrick O Hanlon(Tarbert), Michael O Connor(Tarbert), J.Hanrahan, C.Heaphy, Mickie Buckley(Tarbert).

1931

Mickie Buckley wins All Ireland Minor Medal with Kerry.

1932

Michael Wren wins All Ireland Minor Medal with Kerry.

1936 Ballybunion Tournament

After The North Kerry Senior Championship the most prestigious competition of this era was the Ballybunion Tournament. There were ten teams competing and when it reached it’s final stage it was Tarbert v. Listowel. Listowel were red hot favourites to win it out and were so confident of winning that all the players autographed a football before the game started to be kept as a souvenir of their victory. Tarbert had a huge army of supporters who travelled by pony and trap, bicycles, sidecars and long cars.
After an enthralling encounter Tarbert emerged as worthy winners by a score of 2 – 8 to1 – 7. Needless to say the celebrations lasted well into the night and for many they did not end until late the following day.
Team and substitutes for this game were Bill Sweeney, Stephen O Donnell, John Sheehan, Patrick Dunne, Jack Dunne, Michael Wren, Jim Moloney, John Finucane, Mickie Buckley, Tom Murphy, Timmy Buckley, Bunny O Connell, Tom (Ashe) Finucane, Henry O Donnell, Jimmy (Baily) Finucane, Tommy Keane, Willie Keane, J Moore, John McGee.
940 – 1959

1942

Shannon Rangers win the Kerry County Championship.
Tarbert Players involved were:-
Mickie Buckley, Mick Mc Elligott, Jackie Staunton, Sean Clancy.

1945

Shannon Rangers win Kerry County Championship.
Tarbert’s representative Mick McElligott.

1948 North Kerry Championship

1948 was an eventful year for Tarbert Football as they won the Senior and Minor competitions in the North Kerry Championship.
In the Senior championship Tarbert Defeated Ballydonoghue in the semi final and qualified to play Ballyduff in the final. The team, which was trained by Johnny Sharkey, assisted by Martin Kelly, were at peak fitness after an intensive two week session. The game was played in Ballylongford before a record attendance. Ballyduff proved to be a formidable opposition but in the end Tarbert were deserving winners.
Tarbert Team and substitutes on the day were:-
John Coleman, Ned O Donnell, Sean Wren, Eric Guerin, Paddy Scanlon, Pakie Mulvihill, Brendan Cregan, Michael O Sullivan, Jimmy O Sullivan, Paudie Dillane, Bill Lavery, T.M. O Connor, Dan Casey, Henry O Donnell, Denis O Connell, Frank Lavery, John McGee, Jack O Carroll, Dermot O Connor, Danny Kelly.
The Minor team, including subs., which defeated Ballylongford in the final were as follows:-
Johnny O Connor, Sean Guerin, Paddy Scanlon, Jeremiah Cregan, William O Connell, Donal O Neill, John Finucane, Denis O Connell, Johnny Mulvihill, John Coleman, John Kennedy, Morgan Burke, Tim McCarthy, Jim O Rahilly, Sean McCarthy, Joe Bunce, Johnny McCarthy, Michael Dillane, Tim (Junior) O Brien, Willie Lanigan, Jeremiah Cregan, Donal Walsh, Billy McDonnell.
John Coleman had the honour of playing corner forward with the Kerry Minor team in 1948
but alas they were beaten by Tyrone by one point in the All Ireland Final.

1952

Tarbert minor team won the North Kerry Championship final in 1952 by beating a much fancied Listowel team. The game which was played in Listowel was won by the barest of margins-one point.The Tarbert team and substitutes were as follows:-
Willie Flynn, Michael Carmody, Seamus O Neill, Frank Kelly, Peter Langan, Eddie Ferris, Eugene Mulcaire, Jimmy Carmody, Franco Kelly, Timmie Mulvihill, Finbar Carrig, Michael Lanigan, Seanie Donovan, Georgie O Connell, Eddie Lanigan, Tom Mulcaire, Thomas McCarthy.
The Low Road team won the Parish League in 1952 with the following team:-
Tim Mulvihill, M.J.Coolahan, Michael Lanigan, Richie Lyndon, Johnnie Mulvihill, Tim McCarthy, John Kennedy, Willie Lanigan, Jack Dowling, Sean McCarthy, P.J.Healy, Eugie Goulding, Paddy Scanlon, Morgan Burke, Danny Kelly.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 20 March 2010 10:21 )
1960 – 1979

1964 – 66

This proved to be a very successful period for Tarbert Minor football as they captured the North Kerry Minor title in 1964 and 1966 and were only pipped by one point in the 1965 final. The panel of players was as follows:-
P. Kelly, J.Langan, T. O Donnell, J.O Connell, P.(T) OConnell, P. Kelly, M.Carrig, T O Connell, E O Connell, C Keane, P(S) O Connell, P. Kiely, B. Finucane, D O Connor, D. Kiely, T. O Callaghan, P.O Donovan, F. Wall, M.O Connell, G. Scannell, J. Cregan, E.O Connor.

1967 & 1968

Tarbert win the North Kerry Senior League on both of those years with the following team:-
T.O Hanlon, P.O Connell. D. Kiely, M.O Connell, P.O Hanlon, F.Carrig, D.Kiely, M.Kelly, P.O Connell, J.O Hanlon, S.O Connell, T.O Donnell, P.Kiely, M.Carrig, D.O Connell, T.O Connell, J. Langan, P.Kelly, P.Kenneally, D. O Connell.

1969

Tarbert again capture the North Kerry Senior Championship with the following team:-
Mossie O Connell, Johnnie O Hanlon, Finbar Carrig, Mike Mulvihill, Tom O Donnell, Patsy O Connell, Milo Kelly, Johnny Wren, Mossie Carrig, Donie O Connor, Richie Lyndon, Paddy O Hanlon, Joe Langan, Tom O Connell, Sean O Connell, Christopher Keane, Patsy (skin) O Connell.

1973

Tarbert reached the North Kerry Senior Championship final in 1973 having beaten Ballyconry decisively in the semi final with a score of 1 – 11 to 0 – 4.
They met the old rivals Ballylongford in the final at O Rahilly Park Ballylongford. The Kerryman describes it as a game of fast flowing football, with Tarbert being faster to the ball and having Ballylongford playing second fiddle to them for most of the game .Tarbert won by a score of 3-7 to 2-5 .Scorers for Tarbert were MO Connell (2-1) M.Carrig (1-2) A. Lanigan (0-2) M. Mulvihill and G.O Sullivan (0-1) each.
The Tarbert Team lined out as follows:-
Paddy O Hanlon, Tom McCarthy, Con Kennelly, Patsy O Connell, Ned O Hanlon, Tom O Donnell, Johnny Wren, Gerard Scannell, John McGinley, John Stack, Mossie Carrig, Joe Langan, Mossie O Connell, Mike Mulvihill, Ambrose Lanigan. Subs. G. O Sullivan for G. Scannell, P. Lavelle for M.O Connell, M.O Connell for P. Lavelle.

1974

Ambrose Lanigan of Tarbert club Captains the Kerry Minor team beaten by Cork in The Munster Final.

1975

Tommy Bridgeman and Fintan Scannell win All Ireland Minor Championship medals as part of the Kerry Minor team that defeated Tyrone in the final. Michael Lanigan was County Minor selector with that team.

1977

A spirited second half rally by their opponents Keel did not prevent Tarbert from winning their long awaited, first ever County Intermediate Championship at Austin Stack Park Tralee on Sunday 4th December 1977 by a score of 2-7 to 2-3. This was a great boost to the club as it was the seventh final they had played in three years and the first they won. Scorers for Tarbert on the day were:-
Joe Langan and Fintan Scannell 1-0 each, Tom Bridgeman, Mike Carrig, Gerard Scannell,0-2 each, Gerald O Sulivan 0-1.
The Tarbert team was as follows:-
M.O Brien, M.Lanigan, T.O Donnell, M. Wren, J. Wren, C.O Connor, A.Lanigan, G.O Sullivan (capt.), T.Bridgeman, J.Langan, G.Scannell, F.Scannell, M. Carrig, P.O Connell, J.Stack. Sub. J.McGinley for J.Langan.

1978

Feale Rangers defeat Mid Kerry in the final of The Kerry County Championship by a score of
0-8 to 0-3. The team was captained by Johnny Wren and included Tom Bridgeman, Gerald O Sullivan and Patsy O Connell from Tarbert.

1979

A Feale Rangers Team captained by Liam Liddy defeated Kerins O Rahilly’s to win The County Minor Championship. Other Tarbert players on the team were Mike Foley, Liam Foley, Pa Kelly, Pa Foley.
1980 – 1995

1980

Feale Rangers defeat Austin Stacks in the Kerry Co. Championship with a score of 1 – 10 to 1 – 7.
Tarbert players on the team were:-
Johnny Wren, Mike Wren, Gerald O Sullivan, Tom Bridgeman, Patsy O Connell, Columba O Connor.

1985

Tarbert defeated Listowel in a gruelling final, played in Moyvane, to become North Kerry Senior Championship winners for 1985. The game was refereed by Paddy Collins Ballylongford.
The team was as follows:-
Patsy O Connell, Mike Holly, Mike Carrig, Gerald O Sullivan, Johnny Wren, James Carrig, Riobard Jameson, Liam Foley, Mike Wren, Columba O Connor, Denis Cregan, Pa Foley, J.J McElligott, Liam Liddy, Matthew Kelly.

1988 & 1989

In 1988 The Tarbert Minor team won the North Kerry League and in 1989 they won the North Kerry Championship. The following was the panel of players:-
E. O Gorman, M Carmody, S. Leane, O. Conway, B. Costello, S. Ahern, D. Donovan, B. Kiely, G. Buckley, T.J. O Connor, B.O Neill, C. Kiely, S.Coolahan, B.Conyard, D. Leane, A.Higgins, K. Murphy, J. Histon, J.Coolahan, P.O Gorman, B.Carrig, D. Lyndon, J.O Connell,T. Kiely, C. Fitzell, J. Flavin, M. Ahern, J. Hennessy, J. Nolan, D. Donovan, J. Langan.

1990

Tarbert defeat Moyvane in the Final of The North Kerry Senior Championship, played at Finuge.

1995

In 1995,at Austin Stack Park Tralee, Tarbert had a Magnificent win over Beaufort in the Final of the Junior County Championship, by a score of 0 – 9 to 0 – 5.
1996 – Present

1996

Tarbert Minor team defeated Duagh in 1996 to win the North Kerry League with the following team:-
Conor Lanigan, Aidan Holly, Daniel Kiely, Donncha Enright, Noel Kelly, Joe O Connor, Conor Holly, Tommy O Donnell, John Holly, Paddy Moriarty, Denis Kiely, Stevie Deenihan, Paul Kelly,
Anthony Holly, David Bunce.

1997

The Tarbert Minor Team won the County League in 1997 and were pipped at the post in the County Championship Final. The Team consisted of he following players:-
Conor Lanigan, Aidan Holly, Denis Kiely, Donncha Enright, Noel Kelly, Joe O Connor, Conor Holly, Tommy O Donnell, John Holly, Jonathon Wren, Keith O Leary, Sean McGinley, Paul Kelly,
Paddy Moriarty, Joe O Connor.

1998

In 1998, two days after Christmas, Tarbert defeated Ballyduff in the final of the North Kerry “A” Minor Championship at Ballybunion. This was a thrilling game, with only one point dividing the teams at full time at a score of 2-5 to 0-10. Scorers for Tarbert were C. Lanigan 1-0, M.Foley Stack 0-2, M. Sheehan, M. Fitzgerald, D. Kiely 0-1 each. The Tarbert team was as follows:-
N.Kelly, P.O Hanlon, J. Holly, S. Stack, M. Wren, D. Kiely, J. Wren, C. Holly, J.O Donnell, N. Flynn, P.Moriarty, M.Sheehan, M. Fitzgerald, C. Lanigan, N. Stack. Subs. J.Wren and M. Foley for Flynn and Moriarty.

1999

In 1999 Tarbert defeated Castleisland Desmonds, in Moyvane, by a score of 3 – 6 to1 – 6 to win the North Kerry League. The team panel was as follows:-
Donncha Enright, Brian Carrig, Deo O Connor, John Holly, Miceal Sheehan, Conor Holly, Stevie Deenihan, Sean McGinley, Aidan Holly, Jonathan Wren, Denis Kiely, Paddy Moriarty, Eugene O Connell, Conor Lanigan, Stephen Carrig.

Roll of Honour
All Ireland Championship Medal Holders

8 players wore the Kerry jersey in Championship (1927-2017) and National League (1949-2017)

 

  • Shane Enright (2011 – 2017)
    93 Appearances (33 Championship. 40 League. ) Also played 7 U21 games.
  • John O’Connell (1991 – 1996)
    26 Appearances (3 Championship. 7 League. ) Also played 9 U21 games.
  • Shaun McGinley (2002 – 2002)
    8 Appearances (3 League. )
  • Tom O’Donnell (1971 – 1972)
    5 Appearances (5 League. )
  • Tommy Bridgeman (1979 – 1979)
    2 Appearances (1 League. )
  • Pat Holly (1943 – 1943)
    1 Appearances (1 Championship. )
  • Ambrose Langan ( – )
    No Senior appearances.
  • Mike Wrenn (1983 – 1983)
    1 Appearances (1 League. )

Junior Players

8 Tarbert players represented Kerry at Junior grade (1988-2017).

 

  • John O’Connell (1995 – 1995)
    4 Appearances
  • Danny Wrenn (2014 – 2014)
    4 Appearances
  • Shaun McGinley (1999 – 2003)
    3 Appearances
  • Donncha Enright (2004 – 2004)
    2 Appearances
  • Shane Enright (2009 – 2009)
    1 Appearances
  • Stephen Carrig (1990 – 1990)
    1 Appearances
  • Paddy O’Connell (2009 – 2009)
    1 Appearances
  • Ambrose Langan (2013 – 2013)
    1 Appearances

U21 Players

3 Tarbert players represented Kerry at U21 grade (1985-2017).

 

  • John O’Connell (1992 – 1994)
    9 Appearances
  • Shane Enright (2007 – 2009)
    7 Appearances
  • Donncha Enright (2000 – 2000)
    3 Appearances

Minor Players

12 Tarbert players represented Kerry at Minor grade (1970-2017).

 

  • Shane Enright (2005 – 2006)
    12 Appearances
  • Patrick O’Connell (2002 – 2002)
    6 Appearances
  • Fintan Scannell (1974 – 1975)
    6 Appearances
  • Danny Wrenn (2008 – 2009)
    5 Appearances
  • John O’Connell (1991 – 1991)
    3 Appearances
  • Gerald O’Sullivan (2012 – 2012)
    2 Appearances
  • Shaun McGinley (1997 – 1997)
    2 Appearances
  • Gerald O’Sullivan (1974 – 1974)
    2 Appearances
  • Ambrose Lanigan (1974 – 1974)
    1 Appearances
  • Pat Foley (1979 – 1979)
    1 Appearances
  • Johnny Wrenn (1971 – 1971)
    1 Appearances
  • Tommy Bridgeman (1975 – 1975)
    1 Appearances