Killarney Legion GAA Club has paid tribute to the late James ‘Mixie’ Palmer who was a key member of the 1946 Killarney Legion county championship winning side.
He lined out in the centre back position in that great team and was one of the outstanding players in the campaign.
Born in Kenmare in 1927 and growing up in Sneem, James made 20 full championship appearances for Kerry, plus one substitute appearance. Initially picked as a forward, he soon made his name as a defender, winning five Munster championships and two All-Ireland championships, in 1953 and 1955.
He was ever-present at corner back in 1955 in a year where he was joined on the pitch by Legion clubmate Johnny Culloty.
Interestingly, James first appeared on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor football team in 1945 before subsequently winning an All-Ireland junior championship medal with Kerry in 1949.
He claimed his first All-Ireland title after a defeat of Armagh in the 1953 All-Ireland final. After defeat by Meath the following year, James collected a second winners’ medal after lining out at left corner-back in Kerry’s defeat of Dublin in the 1955 All-Ireland final. Interestingly, he also lined out with Waterford in the 1957 Munster Championship.
James, who was living in Tralee, was 95 years of age when he passed away on December 21. He is survived by his wife, Angela, daughter Críona and son Patrick and extended family.
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