Eugene Deane

Eugene Deane was born and reared in Camp where he still lives today. Eugene was hugely involved in the GAA in his younger days as a player and administrator. He was part of the Camp team which won three league championships in a row from 1949 onwards. He was secretary of the club and a delegate to the divisional board from 1949 to 1953 and served time as club chairman and vice-chairman of the West Kerry Divisional Board. He also helped out with the local camogie teams. Eugene left the GAA after his club instructed him, as delegate, to vote in favour of the lifting of the ban on foreign games. Eugene talks about the grounds, facilities and styles of play when he was young and the changes that have occurred. He is also excellent on the changing types of transport and remembers taking the Ghost Train to the All-Ireland final. Eugene recalls listening to matches on the radio and the introduction of TV coverage of games. He also recites two poems about the GAA in Kerry.