20 years ago in 1997 Denis Dwyer of Waterville played at wing forward on the Kerry senior team that defeated Cavan in the All Ireland semi final in Croke Park.

Denis was one of the new kids on the block as Kerry manager Paidi O Se strove to build a side capable of ending Kerry’s 11 year wait for an All Ireland title.

Dwyer had been a precocious talent at underage level, and having won an All Ireland minor medal in 1994, he played at U21 level for Kerry for 3 years – 1995- 1997, captaining the Kingdom to All Ireland glory in 1995 and also winning an U21 All Ireland in 1996.

After being drafted into the Kerry senior team in 1997, Denis would become a vital cog on a Kerry machine that would ultimately go all the way to glory as Kerry defeated Mayo in the All Ireland final that September. Kerry also won the NFL title that year where Denis scored a vital goal in their victory over Cork.

Denis played with the Kerry senior team for 9 years and is the proud holder of 2 All Ireland senior championship medals.

What is significant about the All Ireland semi final against Cavan  is that now 20 years later, his daughter Rachel will captain the Kerry U14’s in an All Ireland semi final – and co incidentally it is also against Cavan!

Rachel’s mom is Michelle Fitzgerald – sister of Maurice – another link to the 1997 Kerry senior team! Of course her aunt is Marie Fitzgerald -an All Ireland senior medalist with Kerry in 1993 – so the breeding is good as they might say!

Rachel is very much in the mould of her father – a fast, hard working, skilful and athletic player- hopefully she can guide her team to victory in next Sunday’s All Ireland semi final.

The game will take place in Banagher and will throw in at 2pm.