Laune Rangers – 1921
The War of Independence dragged on until July and the uncertainty of the political situation prevented any football being played in the county – minds were otherwise occupied.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Co. Senior Football Championship
Due to the worsening political situation in the county, the Co. Senior Football Championship was not played.
Administration/Miscellany
Daniel McCarthy, Áth Cliath, was elected as Uachtarán CLG, succeeding James Nolan, Cill Coinnigh, who had been Uachtarán for the previous 20 years.
Tipperary and Kerry were fixed to play for the Munster Senior Football Championship but neither would mobilise and the championship fell through.
Emigration once again began to become an issue in Killorglin and its hinterland. It had almost come to a standstill for the previous few years but on Wed. 16th Feb. the first batch of fine brave young men and women set off for the States in search of a livelihood. A large number of other men had also booked their passage and intended leaving during the following few weeks.
On Tues. 15th Feb. a large number of fine stalwart young men of athletic physique and hale and hearty cailins from Glenbeigh, Cromane and Caragh Lake assembled at the market in Killorglin, their mission being to engage with farmers for the year. Farmers from North-Kerry and West-Limerick had come to Killorglin in search of young men and girls, who would be hired for the year. Quite a number left the town in the evening, having being employed.
The political situation had become almost open warfare between the British forces and the Republican movement. Atrocities continued on both sides in Kerry and beyond. In February, Joseph Taylor, 27, was taken from his home in Derrynafeine, Glencar, and shot dead. The authorities said that they had been taking him to the barracks in Killorglin when he attempted to escape and they shot him. His father, however, stated that he was taken in the opposite direction and murdered behind a hedge – reprisal no doubt for the Hillville killings the previous October. The following month, a police patrol was attacked in Killorglin but succeeded in reaching the barracks safely. The attackers had commandeered a few houses from which they had shot at the police.
Since Fri. 28th April until July, Killorglin had been completely cut off from the outer world both by train and mail service. Supplies of foodstuffs were being conveyed by road from Tralee and Killarney and, at great inconvenience, as the roads had been entrenched in many places. For the same length of time, no market had been allowed and the fairs had also fallen through. Newspapers were delivered a day, or sometimes two days, late. The Cahersiveen branch of the GS&W Railway was reopened on 18th July, when the political situation improved.
The War of Independence ended on 11th July and peace negotiations began between Eamonn De Valera and the British Government. In December, the Treaty was signed in London between representatives of the Dáil and the British Government.