
Kerry pride: Broadcaster shares taxi with parents of All-Ireland hero
On Sunday, The Kingdom reclaimed the Sam Maguire following two years of anguish after they beat Donegal on a score of 1026 to 19 points.
It is the 39th All Ireland title for the Munster men led by Jack O'Connor, who hold the most titles in the history of the championships. Amongst the scorers for Kerry on the day was Austin Stacks star Joe O'Connor who put the final nail in the coffin when he popped the football into the back of the Donegal net in the 70th minute. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Amongst the scorers for Kerry on the day was Austin Stacks star Joe O'Connor who put the final nail in the coffin when he popped the football into the back of the Donegal net in the 70th minute.
It was the end of a stellar season and game for the midfielder, who captained the team in 2022.
With around 80,000 fans descending on the home of the GAA on Sunday, taxis would have been busy following the match as people departed the stadium.
Taxi out of Croke Park.Stopped by two lovely people from Tralee.Helen and Jim O'Connor ask if they might be able to hop in. They're off to the Burlington. They are rightly beaming with pride.
Their son's name is Joe and he plays for Kerry. pic.twitter.com/9bo3fllUNF — Eoin Sheahan (@EoinSheahan) July 27, 2025
Indeed, there was plenty to be happy about for Kerry fans as they departed Croke Park, and while the celebrations were getting underway many were eager to get to their respective destinations promptly.
Broadcaster Eoin Sheahan took to X to share that he had shared a taxi with a 'lovely' couple from Tralee, Co Kerry.
Sharing a picture alongside the couple, Eoin said: 'Taxi out of Croke Park. Stopped by two lovely people from Tralee. An Irish podcaster and broadcaster has revealed how he shared a taxi out of Croke Park with the parents of one of Kerry's star players. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
'Helen and Jim O'Connor ask if they might be able to hop in. They're off to the Burlington. They are rightly beaming with pride.
'Their son's name is Joe and he plays for Kerry.'
Social media users took to the comments with two people commenting on Joe's resemblance to both his mum and dad.
One said: 'Hes like his mammy,' while another commented: 'Look at his auld lads hairline! Joe didn't lick it off a stone.'
A third praised: 'He is a monster footballer. You'd hate to mark him or owe him money… he'd haunt you.'
'Lovely is too small a word.' a fourth wrote.

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Irish Times
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During structured attacks they were always the highest and when Diarmuid O'Connor entered the fray he continued on this 'team/position' role. This wasn't without personal reward as O'Brien scored two points, one from the above picture as he fisted over, and a second below as he came from inside out as Gavin White popped him the ball, with again Mark O'Shea highest. One of the biggest aspects of this move was how it pinned Peadar Mogan so far back the field. The build-up to Seán O'Brien's second point - another score built off a disciplined attacking structure. The structure to the Kerry attack all day, assisted by the passive Donegal zonal defence, meant they could execute rehearsed plays with conviction. The below image of an attack in the early stages of the second half really illustrates the possession control that was in place. Kerry used a set attacking structure to attack the Donegal zonal defence. 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The second half started the same with a breaking ball, this time McHugh went to meet the Kerry captain and White went through him, leaving the Kilcar man requiring attention to his shoulder - the phase finished with a Seán O'Shea point. Kerry's Gavin White winning breaks at the start of each half. White wasn't the only leader, there were two particular enforcers on the Kerry team, who led throughout. Seán O'Shea man showed leadership when he came really deep for a Shane Ryan kickout in the second half. He wanted possession deep all day and took the responsibility to carry out from there. The reaction of the Kenmare man when Donegal tried to test the shoulder of the returning Diarmuid O'Connor showed the togetherness of the Kerry team. Kerry's Seán O'Shea coming deep into pocket to take kickout. Seán O'Shea moves to help protect the returning Diarmuid O'Connor. Joe O'Connor won clean kickouts throughout the encounter, and he had an important block as Donegal attempted a two-pointer in the 49th minute. Then he finished the game off by rocketing the ball to the back of the net in the last minute. Killian Spillane assisted the goal, who received the ball off his Templenoe clubmate Tadgh Morley, a leader of Kerry for years. Joe O'Connor block down on rare Donegal two-point attempt. Joe O'Connor senses something is on and drives forward for Kerry's late goal. The Kingdom's true leader was David Clifford. Every score he landed energised the crowd, and they energised him. The humility to spend time on the outskirts to benefit others was fascinating to watch - his first possession only came after eight minutes. When he came into phases on high Kerry turnovers in the first half he returned 0-3 in seconds. His point in the 11th minute hasn't received as much attention as it deserves. 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Paudie was again provider for his younger brother for his 36th-minute point, as he orchestrated the back door cut with a sublimely weighted pass - a score made in Fossa. Paudie Clifford directing his brother for back door cut pass. An All-Ireland final where role clarity, acceptance and execution were to the fore, but the victors were assisted by an opponent who believed that Plan A could not be overcome and were slow to adapt. There will be regret for Donegal on how Kerry navigated around their game plan, but they have the personnel and togetherness to recover and go again in 2026. Paul O'Brien is a performance analyst with The Performance Process .


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