Proud Kerry supporters pictured in Croke Park prior to the Kingdom’s All-Ireland senior football win over Donegal. Back row, L-R, Athlone resident Denis O’Sullivan, Mike O’Connor, Tom O’Connor. Front row, L-R, Ellie Denby, Sean O’Connor and Lizzie O’Sullivan.

Kerry man in Athlone relishing Kingdom’s All Ireland triumph

Ronan Fagan

Published: Fri 8 Aug 2025, 4:45 PM

"Here's to number 40!"

That was the enthusiastic call from Athlone-based Kerry native Denis O'Sullivan in light of the Kingdom's All-Ireland senior football success, the 39th occasion on which the county has raised Sam Maguire aloft.

Kerry overwhelmed Donegal with a masterclass display in Croke Park on All-Ireland final Sunday, defeating Jim McGuinness' charges by ten points on a scoreline of 1-26 to 0-19.

Watching on from the Cusack Stand, Denis, who travelled to GAA HQ with fellow ardent Kerry supporters, daughter Lizzie, grandaughter Ellie Denby and close friends Tom O'Connor, Mike O'Connor and Sean O'Connor, described Kerry's display as the "complete performance".

"It was a tactically astute performance from Jack O'Connor (the Kerry manager) who got the better of Jim McGuinness on the sideline. We set the tone from the throw-in with Gavin White's burst from defence which ended in a score, and were the better team throughout," Denis said.

A resident of Montree, Denis is a respected member of the Athlone GAA community, having served in numerous coaching roles during his time with the club.

The performance levels displayed by his native county in the final were such that he had no fewer than four players in mind to win the 'Man of the Match' award.

"The two Cliffords, David and Paudie, Gavin White and Jack O'Sullivan, all gave outstanding individual displays but the team worked so hard as a unit to win that game," Denis added. A myriad of eye-catching scores dotted the final, but Denis chose the point scored by David Clifford in the second half as one which continues to resonate.

"His brother Paudie saw David make a sharp turn and run from under the Cusack Stand and placed him in the clear to score. It seemed like they were playing in their own back garden as children, such is the understanding between both players," Denis said.

While the future of O'Connor as Kerry manager remains unclear, Denis stated that the Dromid Pearses clubman has "set the bar very high" for any future Kingdom manager.

"Jack has won five All-Ireland senior football titles in three spells with Kerry. He has also won five National Football League titles. That is some record. He had a new management team working with him this season so it is a great achievement winning Sam Maguire given the backroom changes."

Originally from Glenbeigh, Denis is hoping to travel home in the coming weeks and get a glimpse of Sam Maguire as the prized silverware makes its way around the county.

"Sure it's all about winning All-Ireland number 40 now," Denis jokingly concluded.