Square Ball - 28th January 2009

Written by Frank Kearney

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Forgotten heroes

Last Saturday night was a special night for John Keenan who was awarded with the Galway Sports Star Hall of Fame award. In celebration, former stars joined in, with Bosco McDermott, Seamus Leyden and Christy Tyrrell of the three-in-a-row team – of which John played an integral part – were there to share with him.

The night also brought together four members of the Galway All-Ireland winning minor team of 1960. Seamus Leyden and Christy Tyrrell who went on to become Galway senior heroes were joined in the night by Eamon Slattery of Dunmore McHales and Michael Meehan of Caltra; these four had set the foundations for the great football era that followed. Michael Meehan was present to watch his son of the same name capture another Galway Sports Star Award. The minors are often the forgotten heroes.

Ten years apart

In 1977 PJ Molloy took the first of three Galway Sports Star Awards and followed with two more accolades in 1987 and 1997. His first two awards came for his contribution to Athenry and Galway hurling teams. During his long and illustrious hurling career and in 1997 he was awarded the Galway Sports Star Award for Manager of the Year. PJ was present at the awards ceremony to share with camogie All-Star Therese Maher who captained Athenry to a Galway and Connacht championship success this year. Therese Maher was collecting her second accolade having previously taken the award in 1998. The question now remains if Therese will follow in the footsteps of PJ and collect the Manager of the Year Award in ten years time.

Link with the past

On Sunday memories of the All-Ireland football final of 1966 surfaced as Meath Club Kilmessan played Cappataggle in the AIB All-Ireland intermediate hurling semi-final. Denny Donnelly who captained the Meath football team in 1964 – the team defeated by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final – and played for Meath when losing to Galway in the 1966 final and sadly passed away last year, had two sons playing for the Kilmessan team. Full back David Donnelly and substitute Paul Donnelly who scored the opening point in extra time that had Cappataggle under pressure were on the Kilmessan team but like the sixties the young Donnelly's also lost to Galway in the end.

Tuam Star takes over Mayo ladies

Kevin Reidy has taken over as manager of Mayo Ladies football team for 2009 replacing outgoing Corofin native Michael Ryder. Reidy, who has already managed his native Tuam Stars as well as neighbouring Kilconly, has also had success with Tuam Mercy secondary school and Tuam/Cortoon ladies football team. While Galway supporters will be hoping for success, they will also wish Kevin Reidy the best of luck with the Mayo ladies.

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