1899
On Sunday 30th July 1899 Tarbert and Ballongford began a rivalry that was to extend well into the twentieth century. The two neighbouring teams met in a match that, to put it mildly, was not without incident. The Sentinel carried the following report:-
There was a huge crowd in attendance, and the match was not long in progress when some of the Tarbert Rover's players refused to submit to the referee's decision, even though he was one of their own and they seemed well inclined for a fight. However some gentlemen from outside intervened and the Tarbert team were brought to quietness.
However, it would have been a pity if the game was stopped, as the crowd was so large, the day so fine, and the sight of the beautiful and golden stream flowing into the village, the fine trees in full bloom, and the beautiful perfume of the new mown hay, made it a pleasure to drive to the venue.
Play commenced at 5.30 p.m.(old time of course). Tarbert played with the wind and the hollow and at half time led by eight points to two. The advantage of the field showed in the second half as Ballylongford came out eventual winners by a score of 2 - 4 to 0 - 9.
1901
On a dry but cold day, Sunday 13th October 1901 Tarbert Rovers played Ballylongford in Fitzmaurices field Tarbert in a tough ,bruising encounter. The teams were seventeen a side and Tarbert Rovers won the toss and played with the breeze. At half time Tarbert led by three points to nil.
Ballylongford pressed strongly in the second half but Rovers kept up the pressure to the final whistle and came out eventual winners with a score of 8 points to one goal and one point. The referee for the game was Pat McCoy of Glin.
1902
On Sunday 24th October 1902, Tarbert Rovers met Ballylongford in the final of the North Kerry Section of the County Championship of 1901.
The Correspondent for the "Kerry Reporter" reports on the match as follows:-
The match was played in Mr. O Briens field in Ballylongford and there was no shortage of willing workers to keep the crowd back to the sidelines during the match.
The match was played in a sporting manner, but when the score stood at four points to one in favour of Ballylongford the red flag was hoisted for a goal for Ballylongford. Play had then to be suspended as the umpire declared that the ball was "wrongfully transferred after passing the outer line of the side post". Being faced with such cogent reasoning from the umpire and some heated arguments from the players, the referee disallowed the goal. (this match correspondent totally agrees with his decision).
At half time the score was Ballylongford 5 points to Tarbert's single point.
Tarbert failed to raise their game in the second half and the game finished with a final score of 8 points to 1 point . The referee for the game was Mr. J. Lavery of Ballybunion.
1903
Jim Wren of Tarbert won an All Ireland medal with Kerry when they won the Championship in that year.
Jim was nick named "timber toes" as he was reputed to have kicked a fifty over the bar while in his bare feet.
1904
Tarbert easily disposed of Craughdarrig in the first round of the County Championship in 1904 by a score of 2 - 8 to 0 - 6 , and went on to play Ballylongford in the second round. Even though Tarbert were without the services of their captain Paul Hayes,who played a star game for Kerry on the previous Sunday, they defeated Ballylongford by a score of 1 - 6 to 0 - 4. Ballylongford lodged an objection but it was overruled and Tarbert went on to defeat Irremore in the North Kerry Region Final. Tarbert then went on to play Dr.Crokes in the County Section but were beaten by one point - Dr. Crokes 0 - 3 Tarbert 0 - 2. The Tarbert team on the day was as follows:-
J. Wren (Capt.) G. Leahy, P. Doherty, C.McGee, M.McCarthy, D.Wren, T. Scanlon, D. Walsh,
D.Meskell, T.Dillon, T. Holly, P.Murphy, J.Carrig, D. Brandon, J.Brady, H.ODonnell, G.O Sullivan.