Mikey Sheehy

Minor and under-21 By the early 1970s, Sheehy had joined the Kerry minor football team; however, he had no success in this grade, as Cork dominated the provincial championship. He quickly progressed onto the Kerry under-21 team, where he captured a Munster Under-21 Football Championship title in 1973, following a one-goal defeat of Cork. Sheehy's side later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Mayo providing the opposition. A 2–13 to 0–13 score line gave Kerry the victory and earned Sheehy an All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship winners' medal.

Two years later, in 1975, Sheehy secured a second Munster title, following a nine-point trouncing of Waterford. Kerry later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Dublin providing the opposition. A 1–15 to 0–10 scoreline for Kerry earned Sheehy a second All-Ireland under-21 winners' medal.

Senior Sheehy made his senior inter-county debut for Kerry in the 1973–1974 National Football League campaign. Kerry reached the final of the competition and recorded a victory, following a replay, over Roscommon. Sheehy retained his place as a substitute for Kerry's unsuccessful Munster Senior Football Championship campaign.

In 1975 a new-look Kerry team was formed under the management of former player Mick O'Dwyer. That year Sheehy won his first senior Munster title, dethroning Cork as provincial champions in the process. Sheehy later lined out in his first senior All-Ireland SFC final. Reigning champions Dublin provided the opposition against over the youngest Kerry team of all time. On a rain-soaked day, John Egan and substitute Ger O'Driscoll scored two goals, and Dublin were beaten by 2–12 to 0–11. It was Sheehy's first All-Ireland SFC winners' medal.

In 1976 Sheehy captured his second Munster title, before later lining out in his second All-Ireland final. Once again it was Dublin who provided the opposition. Jimmy Keaveney converted a penalty to help Dublin to a 3–8 to 0–10 victory.

1977 began with Sheehy winning a second National League medal on the field of play, and a third consecutive Munster title following another win over Cork. Kerry later took on Dublin for the third consecutive year; however, this time it was in the All-Ireland semi-final. Dublin won the game.

In 1978, Kerry faced little competition in the provincial championship once again. A defeat of Cork gave Sheehy a fourth Munster winners' medal in a row. Kerry later qualified for a third All-Ireland final in four years. Old rivals Dublin provided the opposition. The game is chiefly remembered for Sheehy's sensational goal. The Kerry forward lobbed the ball over the head of Paddy Cullen, who was caught off his line arguing with the referee, Seamus Aldridge. At the full-time whistle, Kerry were the winners by 5–11 to 0–9.

In 1979, Kerry made it five-in-a-row in Munster, as Cork fell by ten points in the provincial final. Sheehy later went in search of a third All-Ireland medal as he lined out in a fourth championship decider. Dublin provided the opposition for the fifth consecutive occasion. Two goals by Sheehy and a third by John Egan, helped Kerry to a 3–13 to 1–8 victory. It was Sheehy's third All-Ireland winners' medal.

Kerry's dominance continued in 1980. Another defeat of Cork in the provincial final gave Sheehy a sixth Munster winners' medal in succession. Another All-Ireland final appearance beckoned, this time with Roscommon providing the opposition. The Connacht champions shocked Kerry, and took a five-point lead inside the first twelve minutes. Sheehy popped up again to score a decisive goal, as Kerry went on to claim a 1–9 to 1–6 victory in a game that contained sixty-four frees. The victory gave Kerry a third All-Ireland title in succession, while Sheehy added a fourth All-Ireland winners' medal to his collection.

In 1981, Sheehy won his seventh consecutive Munster title, before lining out in a fourth consecutive All-Ireland final against Offaly. He secured his fifth All-Ireland SFC winners' medal that day, with Kerry winning by a score of 1–12 to 0–8.

In 1982, Sheehy secured an eighth consecutive Munster final victory over Cork to keep Kerry's record-breaking All-Ireland SFC five-in-a-row bid intact. The championship decider pitted Kerry against Offaly for the second year in a row. Kerry had the upper hand for much of the game and, despite Sheehy missing a penalty with less than ten minutes remaining,

Kerry missed out on a historic nine-in-a-row in Munster in 1983, losing to Cork. Kerry recovered the following year, with Sheehy winning his third National League medal and his ninth Munster title. The centenary-year All-Ireland final pitted Kerry against old rivals, and reigning champions, Dublin. Kerry dominated the game from start to finish. Only two Dublin forwards scored as Kerry ran out easy winners on a score line 0–14 to 1–6. It was Sheehy's sixth All-Ireland winners' medal.

In 1985, a two-goal victory over Cork gave Sheehy a tenth Munster winners' medal. Another All-Ireland final beckoned, with Dublin providing the opposition for a second consecutive year. Kerry won by 2–1 to 2–8. The victory gave Sheehy a record-equalling seventh All-Ireland winners' medal.

In 1986 Cork fell again in the provincial final, giving Sheehy an eleventh Munster title. A tenth All-Ireland final appearance followed, and Tyrone provided the opposition in their first-ever Championship decider. Sheehy scored a second goal to give Kerry a 2–15 to 1–10 victory. The victory gave Sheehy a third All-Ireland medal in-a-row. It was his eighth All-Ireland SFC winners' medal overall, a record haul of championship medals and a record that he shared with fellow Kerrymen Páidí Ó Sé, Ger Power, Ogie Moran and Pat Spillane.

Cork won the Munster title following a replay in 1987. In the same year, Sheehy decided to retire from inter-county football.

According to Sheehy, the best player he played with was Jack O'Shea, whom he considered a superbly fit athlete. He also mentions Kevin Moran as a talented opponent.

Soccer Sheehy also played soccer in his youth. He had been offered trials with Southampton F.C. in the early 1970s. He was given a list of fixtures for the Southampton reserve team, and told to travel over any weekend for a trial with the team. There was only one snag: he would have to pay his own way. Sheehy didn't think that was the way to do things, so he turned down the offer. Sheehy played for St. Brendan's Park F.C. in Tralee. Later in the supplement, it is said that he gave up soccer when he broke on to the Kerry senior team.

Career statistics

Individual honours In May 2020, the Irish Independent named Sheehy at number five in its "Top 20 footballers in Ireland over the past 50 years".