List of Kerry senior Gaelic football team captains explained

This article chronologically lists players who have captained the senior Kerry county football team in the Munster Senior Football Championship and the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. If a player captained Kerry in multiple games in a year but that captaincy was broken by an absence from the starting line up, then there will be separate entries for that player for that year.

The list is confined to players who started games as captain, it does not list players that were nominated as county captain but did not command a starting place. Unlike other counties the captain is chosen from the club that has won the Kerry Senior Football Championship.[1]

Players indicated in bold are All-Ireland winning captains.

2022: Joe O'Connor[2] [3] [4] Seán O'Shea2021: Paul Murphy[5] 2020: David Clifford 2019: Gavin White 2018: Shane Murphy 2017: Fionn Fitzgerald and Johnny Buckley

List of captains

YearPlayerClubNo. of Games as CaptainAll-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipMunster Senior Football Championship
2014Fionn FitzgeraldDr. Crokes6All-Ireland Final winning captain [6] Munster Final winning captain [7]
2013Colm 'Gooch' CooperDr. Crokes5Captain, AI SF v DublinMunster Final winning captain [8]
2012Colm 'Gooch' Cooper6Captain, All-Ireland QF
2011Colm 'Gooch' Cooper6All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain [9]
2010Bryan SheehanSt. Mary's5Munster Final winning captain [10]
2009Darran O'SullivanGlenbeigh-Glencar4All-Ireland Final winning captain
Donnchadh WalshCromane2Captain, All-Ireland qualifiers v Longford and Sligo[11]
Marc Ó SéAn Ghaeltacht1Captain, Munster SF Replay v Cork [12]
Darran O'SullivanGlenbeigh-Glencar1Captain, Munster SF v Cork [13]
2008ABS O Conor An Ghaeltacht6All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final defeated captain
Paul GalvinFinuge1Captain, Munster SF v Clare[14]
2007Declan O'SullivanDromid Pearses5All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
2006Declan O'SullivanDromid Pearses1All-Ireland Final winning captain
Colm 'Gooch' CooperDr. Crokes3Captain, All-Ireland QF and SF
Declan O'SullivanDromid Pearses4Munster Final defeated captain
2005Cable Tie FoleyDromid Pearses6All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain
2004Dara Ó CinnéideAn Ghaeltacht5All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
Tomás Ó SéAn Ghaeltacht2Captain, Munster QF and SF [15]
2003Mike McCarthyKilcummin3Munster Final winning captain
Declan QuillKerins O'Rahillys1Captain, Munster SF v Tipperary [16]
2002Darragh Ó SéAn Ghaeltacht8All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final defeated captain
Dara Ó CinnéideAn Ghaeltacht1Captain, Munster QF v Limerick [17]
2001Eoin BrosnanDr. Crokes1Captain; All-Ireland Semi-Final v Meath [18]
Seamus MoynihanGlenflesk5Captain, All-Ireland quarter-final v Dublin [19] Munster Final winning captain [20]
2000Seamus MoynihanGlenflesk6All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1999Johnny CrowleyGlenflesk2Munster Final defeated captain[21]
Seamus MoynihanGlenflesk1Captain, Munster QF v Tipperary [22]
1998Seamus MoynihanGlenflesk3Munster Final winning captain
1997Liam HassettLaune Rangers2All-Ireland Final winning captain
Mike HassettLaune Rangers1Munster Final winning captain
Liam HassettLaune Rangers1Captain, Munster SF v Tipperary [23]
1996Billy O'SheaLaune Rangers4Munster Final winning captain
1995Morgan NixKerins O'Rahilly's1Munster Final defeated captain [24]
Anthony GleesonJohn Mitchels1Captain, Munster SF v Tipperary [25]
Darren AherneAustin Stacks1Captain, Munster QF v Tipperary [26]
1994Timmy FlemingLaune Rangers2Captain, Munster Championship[27]
1993Seán BurkeMilltown/Castlemaine1Captain, Munster Championship[28]
1992Connie MurphyDr. Crokes3Munster Final defeated captain [29]
1991Jack O'SheaSt. Mary's3Munster Final winning captain;[30] [31]
David FarrellAnnascaul1Captain; Munster QF v Limerick [32]
1990Joe ShannonLaune Rangers2Munster Final defeated captain [33]
1989Charlie NelliganCastleisland Desmonds1Munster Final defeated captain [34]
Mick GalweyCurrow1Captain; Munster SF v Limerick [35]
1988Pat SpillaneTemplenoe2Munster Final defeated captain [36]
1987Mikey SheehyAustin Stacks2Munster Final defeated captain [37]
Ger PowerAustin Stacks1Captain, Munster SF v Waterford [38]
1986Tommy DoyleAnnascaul3All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
Páidí Ó SéAn Ghaeltacht1Captain, Munster SF v Tipperary[39]
1985Páidí Ó SéAn Ghaeltacht5All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1984Ambrose O'DonovanGneeveguilla3All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
Diarmuid O'DonoghueKillarney Legion1Captain, Munster QF v Tipperary [40]
1983Jack O'SheaSt. Mary's2Munster Final defeated captain
1982John EganSneem5All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain [41]
1981Jimmy DeenihanFinuge4All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1980Ger PowerAustin Stacks3All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1979Tim KennellyListowel Emmets4All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1978Denis 'Ogie' MoranBeale4All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1977Ger O'KeeffeAustin Stacks3Munster Final winning captain
1976John O'KeeffeAustin Stacks5All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain
1975Mickey 'Ned' O'SullivanKenmare4All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1974John O'KeeffeAustin Stacks2Munster Final defeated captain [42]
1973Paudie O'DonoghueBallylongford2Munster Final defeated captain [43]
1972Tom PrendergastKeel4All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain
Paudie LynchBeaufort1Captain, Munster SF v Tipperary [44]
1971Mick GleesonSpa2Munster Final defeated captain [45]
1970Donie O'SullivanSpa4All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1969Johnny CullotyKillarney Legion4All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1968Pat GriffinGlenbeigh-Glencar4All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain [46]
1967Mick MorrisJohn Mitchels2Munster Final defeated captain [47]
1966Donie O'SullivanSpa2Munster Final defeated captain
1965Jer D. O'ConnorBallydonoghue4All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain
1964Niall SheehyJohn Mitchels4All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain
1963Niall SheehyJohn Mitchels3Munster Final winning captain
1962Seán Óg SheehyJohn Mitchels4All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1961Niall SheehyJohn Mitchels4Munster Final winning captain
1960Paudie SheehyJohn Mitchels4All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain
1959Mick O'ConnellYoung Islanders4All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1958Mick MurphyKerins O'Rahilly's3Munster Final winning captain [48]
1957Ned FitzgeraldSt. Mary's1Captain, Munster Championship[49]
1956Jerome O'SheaSt. Mary's3Munster Final defeated captain [50]
1955John DowlingKerins O'Rahilly's5All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1954John DowlingKerins O'Rahilly's3All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain
1954Jas MurphyKerins O'Rahilly's1Captain, Munster SF v Waterford [51]
1953Jas MurphyKerins O'Rahilly's1All-Ireland Final winning captain
Paudie SheehyJohn Mitchels3Munster Final winning captain [52]
1952Tadhg LyneDr. Crokes2Munster Final defeated captain [53]
1951John Joe SheehanFiries4Munster Final winning captain [54]
1950Jackie LyneKillarney Legion4Munster Final winning captain
1949Dingle1Captain, Munster Championship[55]
1948Joe KeohaneJohn Mitchels3Munster Final winning captain
1947Dinny LyneKillarney Legion4All-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain
1946Paddy KennedyAnnascaul1All-Ireland Final winning captain [56]
Gus CreminBallydonoghue1All-Ireland Final captain (drawn game) [57]
Eddie DowlingBallydonoghue2Captain, AI SF v Antrim [58] Munster Final winning captain[59]
Bill CaseyDingle1Captain, Munster SF v Clare [60]
Eddie DowlingBallydonoghue1Captain, Munster QF v Cork [61]
1945DingleMunster Final defeated captain
1944Paddy Bawn BrosnanDingle5All-Ireland Final defeated captain [62] Munster Final winning captain
1943Johnny WalshBallylongford2Captain, Munster Championship[63]
1942Johnny WalshBallylongford1Captain, All-Ireland SF v Galway [64] [65]
1942Tom O'ConnorDingle1Munster Final winning captain [66]
2
1941Bill DillonDingle4All-Ireland Final winning captain [67] Munster Final winning captain [68]
1940Dan SpringKerins O'Rahilly's5All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1939Tom O'ConnorDingle1All-Ireland Final winning captain
Seán BrosnanDingle2Captain, AI SF v Mayo [69]
Tom O'ConnorDingle1Munster Final winning captain
1938Bill KinnerkJohn MitchelsAll-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain
1937Miko DoyleAustin Stack's7All-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain
1936Dan O'KeeffeKerins O'Rahilly's4Munster Final winning captain [70]
1935n/aKerry did not compete
1934Dan O'KeeffeKerins O'Rahilly's4Munster Final winning captain [71]
1933Miko DoyleAustin Stack's2Munster Final winning captain [72]
1932Joe BarrettAustin Stack'sAll-Ireland Final winning captain
Miko DoyleAustin Stack'sMunster Final winning captain [73]
1931Con BrosnanMoyvaneAll-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain [74]
1930John Joe SheehyJohn MitchelsAll-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain [75]
1929Joe BarrettAustin Stack'sAll-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain [76]
1928John Joe SheehyTralee MitchelsCaptain, Munster Championship[77]
1927John Joe SheehyTralee MitchelsAll-Ireland Final defeated captain [78]
Joe BarrettTralee MitchelsMunster Final winning captain [79]
1926John Joe SheehyTralee MitchelsAll-Ireland Final winning captainMunster Final winning captain [80]
1925unknownMunster Final winning captain [81]
Phil O'SullivanTuosistCaptain, All-Ireland semi-final v Cavan [82] [83]
1924Phil O'SullivanTuosistAll-Ireland Final winning captain[84] Munster Final winning captain [85]
1923Phil O'SullivanTuosistAll-Ireland Final defeated captain [86]
John O'MahonyDr. CrokesMunster Final winning captain [87]
1922n/aKerry did not compete
1921n/aKerry did not compete
1920Munster Final defeated captain [88]
1919Con Clifford5Munster Final winning captain[89]
1918Con MurphyMunster Final defeated captain [90]
1917n/aKerry did not compete
1916Denis DoyleCaptain, Munster Championship[91]
1915Dick Fitzgerald4All-Ireland Final defeated captain [92] Munster Final winning captain[93]
1914Dick Fitzgerald6All-Ireland Final winning captain [94] Munster Final winning captain[95]
1913Dick Fitzgerald6All-Ireland Final winning captain [96] Munster Final winning captain [97]
1912Patrick J. Cahill1Captain, All-Ireland SF v Antrim [98]
Dick Fitzgerald2Munster Final winning captain [99]
1911Jack LawlorTralee Mitchels2Captain, Munster Championship[100]
1910Con HealyTralee MitchelsMunster Final winning captain [101]
1909Tom CostelloTralee Mitchels6All-Ireland Final winning captain [102] Munster Final winning captain [103]
1908John Thomas FitzgeraldTralee Mitchels2All-Ireland Final defeated captain [104]
Con HealyTralee MitchelsMunster Final winning captain [105]
1907Maurice McCarthyTralee MitchelsCaptain, Munster Championship[106]
1906Maurice McCarthyTralee MitchelsMunster Final defeated captain [107]
1905Maurice McCarthyTralee MitchelsAll-Ireland Final defeated captainMunster Final winning captain [108]
1904Austin StackTralee Mitchels1All-Ireland Final winning captain [109]
Thady O'GormanTralee Mitchels4Munster Final winning captain [110]
61903Thady O'GormanTralee Mitchels7All-Ireland Final winning captain [111] Munster Final winning captain [112]
7Dr. Crokes1Captain, Munster QF v Waterford[113]
71902Dr. Crokes3Munster Final defeated captain [114]
6Thady O'GormanTralee Mitchels1Captain, Munster QF v Cork [115]
51901Tom Looney2Captain, Munster Championship[116]
41900Ned SheehanLaune Rangers2Munster Final defeated captain [117]
1899n/aKerry did not compete
1898n/aKerry did not compete
1897n/aKerry did not compete
1896n/aKerry did not compete
31895Jeremiah CliffordBallymacelligott1Captain, Munster Championship[118]
1894Paddy O'ReganLaune Rangers1Captain, Munster Championship[119]
1893n/aKerry did not compete
11892J.P O'SullivanLaune Rangers3All-Ireland Final defeated captain [120] Munster Final winning captain [121]
21891John O'NeillBallymacelligott1Captain, Munster Championship[122] [123]
11890J.P O'SullivanLaune Rangers3Munster Final defeated captain [124]
11889J.P O'SullivanLaune Rangers1Captain, Munster Championship[125]

Notes and References

  1. News: Kieran Donaghy one win away from claiming Kerry captaincy. .
  2. News: Kerry captain Joe O'Connor admits he's likely to miss out on All-Ireland defence. Irish Independent. Sinead. Kissane. 21 October 2022.
  3. News: Kerry's Joe O'Connor set for lengthy absence due to ACL injury. The42.ie. 13 September 2022.
  4. News: Kerry captain Joe O'Connor suffers ACL injury and will likely miss 2023 intercounty season. Sky Sports. 14 September 2022.
  5. News: Paul Murphy to captain Kerry senior footballers in 2021. RTÉ Sport. 25 January 2021.
  6. Web site: Exclusive: Kerry captain Fionn Fitzgerald on lifting Sam today / Sunday World . 1 February 2015 . 2 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150202002646/http://www.sundayworld.com/sport/gaa/exclusive-kerry-captain-fionn-fitzgerald-on-lifting-sam-today?previewId=f6l9ts4 . dead .
  7. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  8. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  9. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  10. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  11. Web site: All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 2 - Longford v Kerry. 11 July 2009.
  12. The Kerryman, 17/06/2009, p. 216
  13. The Kerryman, 17/06/2009, p. 216
  14. Web site: RTÉ Sport: Kerry 1–14 Clare 0-05 . . 2008-06-15 . 2009-10-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090717050658/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2008/0615/kerry_clare.html . 2009-07-17 .
  15. Irish Independent; 24/05/2004, p. 33
  16. Kerryman, 19/06/2003, p. 34
  17. "This will stand to us says Ó Sé", Kerryman, 16/05/2002, p.30
  18. Irish Independent; 03/09/2001
  19. "Moynihan retains Kerrycaptaincy", The Kerryman, 02/08/2001, p. 1
  20. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  21. The Kerryman; 23/07/1999; p. 28
  22. "Kerry selectors leave Flaherty on bench", Irish Independent, 19/05/1999, p. 16
  23. "Brave Tipp are no push over for Kerry"; Nenagh Guardian; 05/07/1997
  24. Kerryman; 28/07/1995
  25. Kerryman; 30/06/1995
  26. Kerryman; 2/06/1995
  27. The Kerryman; 01/07/1994
  28. The Kerryman; 25/06/1993
  29. The Kerryman; 24/07/1992
  30. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  31. The Kerryman; 26/07/1991
  32. The Kerryman; 14/06/1991
  33. Kerryman; 06/07/1990
  34. Kerryman; 28/07/1989
  35. The Kerryman; 23/06/1989
  36. "Over to the new-look Kerry", Kerryman, 27/05/1988, p. 14
  37. "Cork may have left it after them". Kerryman, 31/07/1987
  38. "Kerry came good in a convincing style". Kerryman, 26/06/1987
  39. "5 goal Kerry blast Tipp", The Kerryman, 20/06/1986, P. 20
  40. Kerryman; 15/06/1984
  41. As the representative of South Kerry champions Valentia, Ger Lynch was expected to captain Kerry when he gained a place on the team for the Munster Championship opener v Clare. As a newcomer to the team, Lynch handed the captaincy to John Egan. "Egan will lead Kerry", Irish Independent 07/06/1982, p. 9
  42. Kerryman; 12/07/1974
  43. Kerryman; 21/07/1973
  44. "Tipp misses smoothed the way for Kerry", The Kerryman, 17/06/1972,p.19
  45. Kerryman; 17/07/1971
  46. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  47. Irish Press; 17/07/1967
  48. Irish Press; 25/08/1958
  49. Web site: Kerry's Defeat by Waterford in 1957.
  50. Kerryman; 4/08/1956
  51. "Waterford were no match for champions"; Irish Independent, 04/07/1954, p. 12
  52. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  53. Southern Star; 26/07/1952, p.2
  54. Irish Independent; 13/08/1951
  55. The Cork Examiner; 17/06/1949; p. 6
  56. Web site: Paddy Kennedy - All Ireland Winning Captain 1946.
  57. Web site: Kerry Hero of 1946 Gus Cremin Passes Away . 27 January 2015 . 31 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150131131820/http://www.radiokerry.ie/sport/kerry-hero-of-1946-gus-cremin-passes-away . dead .
  58. Irish Press, 17/0/1946, p.8
  59. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  60. Web site: The 1946 All Ireland Final and the Antrim Objection.
  61. Web site: Terrace Talk :: Kerry Football :: :: 1946 Championship :: Munster Quarter-Final :: Kerry Vs Cork.
  62. The Kerryman; 21/09/1944
  63. Web site: 1943 . 27 January 2015 . 30 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150130045036/http://history.launerangers.ie/?p=1262 . dead .
  64. Shannon Rangers won the Kerry County Championship before the All-Ireland semi-final and so Johnny Walsh took over as captain http://history.launerangers.ie/?p=1260
  65. Irish Press, 10/08/1942, p.4
  66. Kerryman; 25/07/1942
  67. "Kerry Footballers make history"; The Kerryman, 13/09/1941, p. 6.
  68. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  69. The Kerryman; 12/09/1939, p.12
  70. The Cork Examiner; 27/07/1936
  71. Kerryman; 08/09/1934
  72. Kerryman; 02/09/1933
  73. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  74. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  75. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  76. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  77. Web site: 1928 . 27 January 2015 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092849/http://history.launerangers.ie/?p=1134 . dead .
  78. Irish Independent; 25/09/1927
  79. Kerryman; 17/09/1927
  80. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  81. Phil O'Sullivan captained Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final versus Cavan, but didn't play in the Munster Final, which was played after the All-Ireland semi-final. The Munster GAA site lists Tom O'Mahony of Moyvane as Kerry captain. This is an error. This came about because the match report in The Kerryman of 19/09/1925 (p.11) lists the players by club as Tom Mahony, Capt. Con Brosnan (both Moyvane). The title capt here refers to Con Brosnan's then military rank. The Irish Independent match report of 14/09/1925 lists the players by position as R Stack (capt), C. Brosnan. This would again appear to be an error caused by confusion created by listing Con Brosnan's military rank. A Ballymacelligott player (Phil O'Sullivan was from Tuosist but played with Ballymacelligott) seems the most likely candidate for the captaincy.
  82. "Rivals for thirty years, Kerry and Cavan ties are always thrillers", The Kerryman, 13/08/1955, p. 13
  83. "GAA Notes" Kerryman, 12/09/1925, p.12
  84. Web site: Phil O'Sullivan - All Ireland Winning Captain 1924.
  85. Kerryman; 18/10/1924
  86. Kerryman; 04/10/1924
  87. Freemans Journal; 15/10/1923
  88. The Cork Examiner; 10/04/1922
  89. The Cork Examiner; 04/08/1919
  90. Freemans Journal; 23/09/1918
  91. Web site: 1916 . 27 January 2015 . 15 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160215231939/http://history.launerangers.ie/?p=1110 . dead .
  92. The Kerryman; 13/11/1915
  93. The Cork Examiner; 18/10/1915
  94. The Kerryman; 05/12/1914
  95. The Kerryman; 10/10/1914
  96. Irish Independent; 15/12/1913
  97. The Kerryman; 27/10/1913
  98. Kerryman; 31/08/1912
  99. Web site: Senior Football. 29 May 2009.
  100. The Kerryman; 26/08/1911, p.1
  101. Kerryman; 31/10/1910
  102. Kerryman; 11/12/1909
  103. Kerryman; 7/08/1909
  104. Kerryman; 15/05/1909
  105. Kerryman; 12/12/1908
  106. Web site: 1907 . 27 January 2015 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094745/http://history.launerangers.ie/?p=1092 . dead .
  107. Irish Independent; 19/08/1907
  108. Kerryman; 13/04/1907
  109. Kerryman; 7/07/1906
  110. Kerryman; 8/01/1906
  111. Kerryman; 18/11/1905
  112. Kerryman; 31/10/1904
  113. The Cork Examiner, 13/06/1904
  114. Web site: 1902 | Laune Rangers History . 27 January 2015 . 23 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171123155659/http://history.launerangers.ie/?p=1081 . dead .
  115. Web site: 1902 | Laune Rangers History . 27 January 2015 . 23 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171123155659/http://history.launerangers.ie/?p=1081 . dead .
  116. Web site: 1901 . 27 January 2015 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081928/http://history.launerangers.ie/?p=1079 . dead .
  117. Web site: 1900 | Laune Rangers History . 27 January 2015 . 23 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171123155735/http://history.launerangers.ie/?p=1077 . dead .
  118. The Cork Examiner; 02/12/1895
  119. Web site: 1894 . 14 February 2016 . 15 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160215193310/http://history.launerangers.ie/?p=1064 . dead .
  120. The Cork Examiner; 27/03/1893, p.8
  121. The Cork Examiner; 05/12/1892
  122. The Cork Examiner; 21/09/1891
  123. Web site: 1891 . 30 January 2015 . 6 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150106073447/http://history.launerangers.ie/?p=1058 . dead .
  124. Web site: 1890 | Laune Rangers History . 27 January 2015 . 21 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200821031712/http://history.launerangers.ie/?p=1056 . dead .
  125. The Cork Examiner; 29/07/1889