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Kerry has been blessed with loyal
supporters, none more so than Paddy Looney, RIP.. The Dr Croke
Man followed his club and county, literally displayed his
support on his head with his famous Up Kerry Hat. The hat was
brought in Killarney in 1936, and adorned with the Tricolour and
"Up Kerry". The years of Kerry's All-Ireland Victory's
painted on it. The hat was taken only to All-Ireland finals -
"I wore it once for a Munster final" he said "but
it wasn't the thing at all. I got no kick out of it" - and
as sure as Sam Maguire came in to Killarney station on the
Monday night, Paddy made sure the "new year" was
painted in. "And plenty of room for more", he confided
with a twinkle in his eye as he discussed the ritual over a pint
in the Tatler. Paddy died in 1979 but the All-ireland tradition
lives on - Kerry keep on winning them and his Sons and Daughters
maintain the tradition of taking Paddy's top hat to Croke Park
on special September Sunday's.
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