Eoin "Bomber" Liston (born 16 October 1957 in Ballybunion, County Kerry) is an Irish former sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Beale, his divisional side Shannon Rangers and at senior level for the Kerry county team between 1978 and 1993. Liston is regarded as one of the greatest full-forwards in the history of the game.
Playing career
Club
Liston played his club football with his local club called Beale. He lined out in the county championship with Shannon Rangers. In 1977 he was a member of the side that defeated Feale Rangers to take the county senior championship title. It was Liston's only victory in the county championship.
Minor and under-21
He never played minor football for Kerry.
By the late 1970s, Liston had joined the Kerry under-21 football team. He captured a Munster title in this grade in 1977 following a two-goal defeat of Cork. Liston's side later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Down providing the opposition. A 1–11 to 1–5 scoreline gave Kerry the victory and gave Liston an All-Ireland winners' medal.
In 1978 Liston made it two Munster under-21 titles in a row as Kerry retained their provincial crown at the expense of Cork. He later lined out in a second All-Ireland final. Roscommon provided the opposition on that occasion; however, a close game developed. At the final whistle, Kerry were defeated by 1–9 to 1–8.
Senior
Liston made his senior inter-county debut with Kerry in 1978, and it proved to be a successful year. Kerry faced little competition in the provincial championship once again. A defeat of Cork gave Liston a Munster winners'. Kerry later qualified for a third All-Ireland final in four years, with Liston playing at full-forward in his first championship decider. Old rivals Dublin provided the opposition; however, the game turned into a rout. The game is chiefly remembered for Mikey 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. Liston announced his arrival on the inter-county scene and scored a hat-trick of goals. Pat Spillane played all over the field, including goalkeeper after Charlie Nelligan was sent off. 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. It was Liston's second Munster title. He later went in search of a second consecutive All-Ireland medal. Dublin provided the opposition for the fifth consecutive occasion. Kerry were handicapped throughout the game. Ger Power did not start the game, while John O'Keeffe got injured and Páidí Ó Sé was sent off during the encounter. Two goals by Mikey Sheehy and a third by John Egan helped 'the Kingdom' to a 3–13 to 1–8 victory. It was Liston's second All-Ireland winners' medal.
Kerry's dominance continued in 1980. Another defeat of Cork in the provincial final gave Liston a third 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. Mikey Sheehy popped up again to score the 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 and Liston a third All-Ireland title in succession.
In 1981 Liston won his fourth consecutive Munster title, before lining out in the All-Ireland final against Offaly. Kerry had an easy win with seven players combining for a great goal. He captured his fourth All-Ireland winners' medal that day as Kerry won by 1–12 to 0–8.
In 1982 Liston won his first National Football League medal before Kerry secured an eighth consecutive Munster final victory over Cork, giving him a fifth provincial winners' medal. The All-Ireland final pitted 'the Kingdom' against Offaly for the second year in-a-row. Kerry had the upper hand for much of the game and were leading by two points with two minutes left to be played. The game, however, was not over as Offaly substitute Séamus Darby, who had entered the game almost unnoticed, produced the most spectacular of finishes by scoring a late goal. Kerry failed to score again to level the match and Offaly went on to win their third All-Ireland title ever. Kerry's five-in-a-row dream was shattered.