Having started his career as a national school teacher on Valentia, he attended an interview for a post as film critic for the Irish Press.
He was honest about his lack of knowledge, explaining that he had only heard of Greta Garbo and had been to a Mickey Mouse film, he was given the job anyway.
They say that he was kindly – different too, Apart from all the rest; A lover of the poor; and all shot through, His wounds ill drest, He came before us, faced us like a man, He knew a deeper pain Than blows or bullets – ere the world began; Died he in vain?
I felt my rifle shake His wounds were opened out and round that chair Was one red lake; I swear his lips said 'Fire!'
Liam MacGabhann 1932 Blind Man at Croke Park Listen, asthore, for these eyes are sealed, Listen once more, when Kerrymen take the field, Tell an old man who saw them in days of old, Do they walk proudly in their green and gold?