Laune Rangers – 1922
The Civil-War, which started in June, occupied the minds of the young men to the detriment of Gaelic Games in the county.
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Co. Senior Football Championship
Seven teams entered for the Co. Senior Football Championship, Listowel, Castlegregory, Killarney, Dingle, Tralee Mitchels, Newtownsandes and Castleisland.
Co. Junior Football Championship
Six teams entered for the Co. Junior Football Championship, Listowel, Valentia, Tralee, Keel, Inch and Farranfore.
The civil war broke out in June and the Championships had to be abandoned.
Administration/Miscellany
Daniel McCarthy, Áth Cliath, was Uachtarán CLG.
The Munster Convention was held in Cork on 1st April. The following officers were re-elected: Chairman – Jerry O Brien (An Clár), Secretary – Pat McGrath (Tiobrad Árainn) and Treasurer – Ailbe Quillinan (Luimneach).
Kerry, though drawn against Limerick in the first round of the Munster Championship, did not take part.
The Annual Convention of the Kerry Co. Board was held in Tralee on Sat. 15th April. The following officers were re-elected: Chairman – P.J. O Connell; Joint-Secretaries – Denis J. Bailey and William J. Foley; Joint-Treasurers – John Moran and Con Clifford; Delegates to Munster Council – Dick Fitzgerald and Denis J. Bailey.
A remarkable demonstration witnessed the departure of the mid-day train from Tralee on Mon. 2nd January, when Fionán Lynch T.D., South-Kerry and PJ Cahill T.D., West-Kerry left to attend the Dáil to discuss the Treaty. A large number of demonstrators, composed of Fianna Boys, members of Cumann na mBan and several young men bearing flags and placards with inscriptions such as ‘Young Ireland is at heart Republican – no partition’, or ‘No partition but unity in Ireland’, or ‘Republic for Ireland’. However, at all the Masses in the Churches on Sunday 1st January, the prayers of the congregation were asked for the ratification of the Treaty.
After an animated debate, the Dáil voted on Sat. 7th January by 64 votes to 57 votes to accept the Treaty. Fionán Lynch voted for the motion to accept the Treaty, PJ Cahill and Austin Stack voted against. Many people saw the Treaty as a sell-out and the country drifted into civil-war, which began at the end of June with the fierce battle for possession of the Four Courts between the Dáil and Executive Forces.
The Republicans occupied Killorglin at the beginning of the Civil War, which was fought at its fiercest in Kerry. In Aug. the Government troops (Free State soldiers) encountered a large party of Republicans between Milltown and Killorglin. An engagement ensued and the Republicans were forced to retreat. The Government troops entered Killorglin and were cordially received by the locals. Some weeks later, the Republicans returned in greater numbers and tried to drive out the Free State soldiers. The latter had ensconced themselves in the Garda Barracks, the Carnegie Hall, Morrissey’s Pub (The Bianconi Inn), the Mill Road and they had a machine-gun post on the tower of the Protestant Church (Sol y Sombre). The Republicans burrowed their way down through the houses in Upper Bridge Street in an attempt to take the Barracks. Though they managed to reach Bob Dodd’s house, next door, the plan failed and they had to withdraw. There were some casualties on the Republican side. Paddy Murphy, Dooks, was fatally wounded in the handball alley (Micko’s Take-away), Con Looney, Kenmare, was shot dead at the church corner and Jeremiah Keating, Cahersiveen, was also fatally wounded. The Free-State captain, Lehane, was shot dead as he emerged from the laneway beside O Shea’s Pub, Langford Street. The shooting continued through the night. In the morning, Free State reinforcements arrived from Tralee and the Republicans were forced to retreat. However, a small group, including Jack Galvin, had been left behind in Michael Johnston’s house (now Patrick Horgan’s) in the Square. They had been trying to knock-out the machine-gun post in the tower of the Protestant Church but were captured. They were taken to Tralee. On the way, Galvin’s arm was broken, he was shot dead and dumped over a fence, where he was found some time later. He had fought on the side of the British Army during World War 1.