JOHN SMALL KICKED a stoppage-time point to seal a Dublin Football League Division One title for Ballymun Kickhams on Tuesday night just a week after burying his father, Declan, who passed away following a lengthy battle with illness.
Small and his younger brother Paddy were joint captains of the side and lined out in difficult circumstances against a Ballyboden St Enda’s outfit who were unbeaten in 2019.
Declan Small was a longtime chairman of Kickhams and played a pivotal role in the club’s emergence as a significant force on the Dublin club scene over the last two decades.
On an emotionally charged evening at Parnell Park, it was son, John, who popped up in the 64th minute to split the sticks and seal league success for Ballymun, who in turn ended ‘Boden’s blemishless run through the calendar year.
Congratulations Ballymun Kickhams 🏆 @BallymunGAA pic.twitter.com/30NcVL1cGe
— Lisa O'Donovan (@DonovanLisao) December 17, 2019
Kickhams emerged on the right side of a 0-9 to 0-8 victory with the older Small brother kicking two of his side’s points.
Ballyboden were unable to add to their county and provincial championship triumphs, but the evening belonged to Ballymun and the Small family, with several Ballymun and Dublin team-mates of the Smalls paying tribute to the brothers and their late father in the game’s aftermath.
Inspirational stuff
GAA is class
Fair play to him. Not easy. I remember dermot earley playing for kildare the same day he buried his father, i certainly couldn’t do it
Fair play. Don’t think I’d be able myself. Takes some doing
When you know that the Deceased was also dedicated to your team, then I can understand this being a very fitting way to honour their memory. Still, it takes some fortitude to be able to play. Well done Ballymun.