Kevin Heffernan (Gaelic footballer) facts for kids

Kevin Heffernan (born August 20, 1929 – died January 25, 2013) was a famous Irish Gaelic football player and manager. He played as a left corner-forward for the Dublin county team.

Heffernan started playing for Dublin in 1948. He was a key player until he retired in 1962. During his time, he won many important titles. These included one All-Ireland medal, four Leinster medals, and three National League medals. He even captained the team to an All-Ireland win in 1958.

At club level, Kevin Heffernan had a very long and successful career. He played for St. Vincent's. He won an amazing fifteen county football championships. He also won six county hurling championships.

After he stopped playing, Heffernan became a coach and manager. As the manager of the Dublin team, he made them champions again. He led them to win three All-Ireland titles between 1974 and 1983.

Heffernan also received special awards. In 1974, he was named Texaco Footballer of the Year. This was special because he was not a player at the time. In 1984, he was chosen for the GAA's Team of the Century. He was also on the Team of the Millennium in 1999.

Kevin Heffernan's Early Life and Background

Kevin Heffernan was born in Dublin, Ireland, on August 20, 1929. His family was not involved in Gaelic football at first. His father enjoyed hunting and shooting instead.

When Kevin was very young, his family moved to Marino. This is where he first discovered football and hurling. He went to Scoil Mhuire and St. Joseph's Christian Brothers school in Fairview. He became very good at both hurling and football there. He won a Leinster Colleges hurling title in 1945, which was his first big win.

Kevin Heffernan's Playing Career Highlights

Club Success with St. Vincent's

Kevin Heffernan played both hurling and football for the famous St. Vincent's club in Dublin. This was a very successful time for the club. In football, he won a total of 15 senior county championship medals.

• He won seven in a row from 1949 to 1955.
• Then he won six in a row between 1957 and 1962.
• He won his last two county titles in 1966 and 1967.

Heffernan also won six senior county hurling championships. These wins were in 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1959, and 1962.

Inter-County Journey with Dublin

Heffernan played both hurling and football for Dublin at a younger level in the 1940s. He won a Leinster minor football medal in 1946. He also won a Leinster minor hurling medal in 1947.

He made his senior debut for the Dublin footballers in 1948. This was the same year he was taking his final school exams. He even broke his jaw in a game just before his first exam! Despite this tough start, Heffernan had a great career for Dublin.

His first big win was in 1948. He won an All-Ireland medal with the junior football team. In 1953, he won a National Football League title. He won a second National League medal in 1955.

Later in 1955, Heffernan won his first Leinster title. However, his team lost to Kerry in the All-Ireland final that year. Three years later, in 1958, Heffernan was the captain of Dublin. He won his third National League title and a second Leinster title. He then led Dublin to an All-Ireland victory over Derry.

Heffernan won two more Leinster titles in 1959 and 1962. But Dublin did not win any more All-Ireland titles during his playing career. He retired from inter-county football soon after.

Kevin Heffernan's Managerial Success

After his amazing playing career, Kevin Heffernan became the manager of the senior Dublin team in late 1973. This time was famous for the strong rivalry between Dublin and Kerry. In his first year as manager, he led Dublin to their first Leinster and All-Ireland titles since 1963.

Heffernan's young Dublin team became very popular. They especially inspired young people and working-class fans in the city. These groups had not always followed Gaelic Football. Dublin fans started calling themselves 'Heffo's Army' to honor him. This was the beginning of the famous Dublin Hill 16 terrace culture, which is still strong today.

After the championship, Heffernan became the only non-player to be named Texaco Footballer of the Year. In 1975, Dublin won a second Leinster title in a row. However, a young Kerry team surprised Heffernan's team in the All-Ireland final.

Dublin bounced back the next year. They won the National League and a third Leinster title in a row. Then they defeated Kerry in the All-Ireland final.

After this victory, Heffernan surprisingly resigned as manager. Tony Hanahoe took over as player-captain-manager. Heffernan returned as manager in 1979. Dublin won a sixth Leinster title in a row, but lost to Kerry in the All-Ireland final.

Many of the Dublin players left after 1980. But Heffernan built a new team around star player Brian Mullins. In 1983, his team won a memorable All-Ireland Final against Galway. This game was played in terrible weather. The referee sent off four players, three of whom were from Dublin. Because they won with only twelve players, the team was called 'the twelve apostles'. In January 1986, Heffernan stepped down as Dublin manager.

Retirement and Legacy

After retiring from managing the Dublin team, Kevin Heffernan stayed involved in Gaelic football. In 1984, the GAA's 100th year, he was chosen for the GAA Football Team of the Century. He was named in the left corner-forward position. Later, in 1986, he managed the Ireland team to victory over Australia in the International Rules Series.

In 2000, Heffernan was further recognized as one of the greatest players ever. He was named in the left corner-forward position on the GAA's 'Football Team of the Millennium.' He also continued to be involved with his club, St. Vincent's. In 2004, at 74 years old, Heffernan coached the club's under-15 hurling team. They won a championship final, showing his coaching skills were still sharp. In 2006, he trained the club's minor hurling team.

In 2005, Heffernan was given the Freedom of the City of Dublin. This is a very special honor. It places him alongside famous people like U2, Nelson Mandela, and Bill Clinton. He also received an award from the Irish Examiner GAA President's Awards in 2006.

Heffernan was a consultant for the Dublin minor football team in 2007. He worked with the team's coaches to advise the young Dublin players.

Kevin Heffernan passed away in January 2013. His funeral was attended by many people, including important politicians. Three flags were placed at the altar: the Dublin flag, the St. Vincent's GAA club flag, and the Freedom of Dublin flag. He was buried in Sutton cemetery.

Honours and Awards

• Freedom of the City of Dublin: 2004

See also

• List of people on stamps of Ireland