The eight-time All-Ireland winner is also remembered for his three decades with RTE alongside the likes of Joe Brolly
Mickey Ned O’Sullivan, a former teammate and friend of over 50 years, knows Pat Spillane better than most from Kerry’s ‘Golden Years’ era. As Templenoe’s eight-time All-Ireland medal winner and nine-time All Star celebrates his 70th birthday on Monday, his Kenmare mate reveals something that may catch people off guard.
Despite more than three decades as an outspoken presenter and pundit on RTE alongside Joe Brolly following his playing career, O’Sullivan emphasised that Spillane is fundamentally a reserved individual.
“Pat was a bit on the shy side as a person, and he probably surprised everybody (going into TV work). 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, and he did, and is still at it.”
Jack O’Shea shares this fundamental assessment of a man alongside whom he played in the green and gold for nearly two decades.
“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, you’d never hear him talking very much.
“Maybe if you did something wrong, he’d 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.”
His personal achievements demonstrate just how talented a footballer Spillane truly was. O’Sullivan highlights a defining characteristic that made him stand out.
“Pat had one thing that very few people have, which is a continuous search for self-improvement. That’s why he was never satisfied with his performance,” he added. “He was always pushing himself to the limit. Every year he would improve himself five or 10 per cent, and he worked towards that.
“He did his cruciate before anybody ever did it, and he recovered, and won All-Irelands after recovering. At the time, there was no solution or no remedy for a cruciate tear.
“He did his research, found out where it could be done in England, went over, got it done, and then worked incredibly hard on his rehab. He got back, and even surpassed his previous performances. When Pat was recovering with his cruciate, he would swim across Kenmare Bay from Templenoe to the other side.
“When he couldn’t do anything else, this was a challenge that very few people would be able to do. That kind of set him apart, and his focus, his tunnel vision, and his determination.”
Regarded as one of the finest midfielders the game has ever seen, O’Shea recognised the importance of having a quality forward to supply, though Spillane offered far more than just finishing ability.
“He was much stronger than people thought. He was a great ball winner, and a fantastic player. He had everything really, and he wore his heart on his sleeve when he crossed the white line.
“There’s nobody on the Kerry team who would have put as much work in as he did. He would always be at training half an hour before most of us, and he would probably be the last to leave the field as well.
“He would spend hours and hours and hours at his kicking. As regards being a player on the team, he had a free rein really. I suppose a bit like myself, he roamed all over the place.
“It probably suited us to have that in the forward line. It kind of created the space up front as, rather than having the six forwards, we normally only had the five.
“That generated the space for us to play the ball into, so he was very instrumental in that aspect. Commitment, effort, skill, strength, power, he had everything.
“Himself and Páidí (Ó Sé) used to have unbelievable battles in training. They used to knock sparks off each other, but he was well able to take it as well. He was phenomenal in that respect.”
Throughout his media career following his playing days, Spillane inevitably ruffled a few feathers along the way. Crucially, though, he remained authentic.
“He’s controversial at times, but you always felt that he spoke his mind. He wasn’t afraid to express himself. He didn’t hold back when it came to analysing,” O’Shea remarked. “I felt he was always honest. I used to enjoy him on the TV.
“There is no doubt but that he did like himself a little bit as well. That always came across too,” he quipped.
Earlier this year in April, O’Sullivan arranged a gathering in Kenmare to mark the 50th anniversary of the Kerry v Dublin All-Ireland final of 1975. Spillane’s character was unmistakably on display.
“Pat is genuine, and he’s never short of an opinion. He’s been a friend of mine for more than 50 years, and I enjoy meeting him. That’s all you can say about anyone.
“We had a get-together, and he probably would have said things about players, but he was able to come last April and mix with the lads as if nothing ever happened. The friendships are still there.”
This coming Friday evening, at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney, O’Sullivan, O’Shea and Spillane will reunite once more for a special Kerry GAA tribute to those golden Kingdom years spanning 1975 to 1986.
By then, the man who famously introduced the phrase ‘puke football’ will have celebrated several days of life at 70, a milestone that brings into sharp focus the teammates who are no longer with us. Tim Kennelly, John Egan and, of course, Páidí, will be missed on the night.
O’Sullivan, now 73, and O’Shea, 68, treasure those recollections, grateful to still be here.
“Live the moment. It’s a journey, not a destination. I’m sure Pat knows exactly how to celebrate it. Basically it’s taking every day as it comes, and enjoying every day,” emphasised O’Sullivan.
“You’re able to see what is important as you get older, and you’re able to appreciate what is important. Health and family are the two things.
“Three of the lads went very early, very quick, but they’re fondly remembered. They were huge parts of our team at the time, and they were three great characters,” O’Shea remarked. “It is sad that they’re not around, but it’s nice that the majority of the team are still there. Mick (O’Dwyer) is gone now as well.
“Slowly but surely, they’ll be dropping off here and there, and that’s part of life. When you look back on it, what a pleasure it was to be involved with that group of lads, over that number of years.
“With Pat and myself, we played under-21 together in 1975, and we ended up playing together for the best part of 16 or 17 years.
“I have very, very fond memories of that. You couldn’t buy something like that, and we can all look back on it with pride.
“It’s fantastic to look forward to seeing all the lads again. I’ve always enjoyed Pat’s company. He was shy, and when it came to football, he was very individualistic but, as a person, he’s sound.”
Pat Spillane, a humble and genuine individual, will be celebrating his birthday with his family today.
Come Friday, he’ll be joining his football family for another celebration. It’s indeed another special week in his extraordinary life.
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