KERRY'S HIGH KING

Kingdom greats salute Spillane as legend turns 70

- BY JOHN O'DOWD

A FORMER teammate and a friend for over five decades, Mickey “Ned” O'Sullivan knows Pat Spillane as well as anybody from the Kerry 'Golden Years' generation.

As Templenoe's eight-time All-Ireland medal-winner and nine-time All Star turns 70 today, his Kenmare pal says something that might surprise people.

Despite an outspoken presenting and punditry career for over 30 years on RTE after his playing days ended, O'Sullivan stressed that Spillane is essentially a shy man at heart.

“Pat was a bit on the shy side as a person, and he probably surprised everybody. Again, like the football, he approached it as a challenge,” said O'Sullivan.

“He kept improving and throwing the cat among the pigeons every so often, to create a bit of controversy. That added to his profile.

“He took the feedback on the chin and he made a big adjustment. Very few people can keep at the top of their game for 30 years he did and is still at it.”

Jack O'Shea concurs with that quintessential description of a man who he soldiered with in the green and gold jersey for the bones of almost 20 years.

“He wouldn't have spoken much in the dressing-room as such. He was always obsessed in himself and getting everything right for himself,” explained O'Shea.

“He was unusual in that respect. He wouldn't have mixed a lot with fellas. I think he was a great self-motivator for himself. He never really played poorly. He was always there or thereabouts.

“He knew how to put his energy into what he needed to do on the pitch. Even in the playing of the game, as it was going on, youd never hear him talking very much.

“Maybe if you did something wrong, hed have said something alright. He was never really shouting and talking, he wouldn't really have been that type of player. He really concentrated on his own game.”