My abiding memories of 1995 All-Ireland win

Bernie Comaskey

Thirty years on since Westmeath’s glorious minor football success, it is as vivid in my memory as if it was 30 days ago.

When asked to recall my abiding memories for this presentation, I shall leave the descriptive narrative of that brilliant pathway to those here who will articulate the journey much better than I can. But please allow me to share with you some of my standout moments from that great year.

First of all, the magnitude of winning that All-Ireland cannot be overstated. It was Westmeath’s first All-Ireland success. Yes, I know about ‘Junior’ All-Irelands and ‘B’ All-Irelands, and these were all memorable achievements. But that incredible bunch of young lads in ‘95 not only gave a starved county its first taste of a real banquet; they showed us the road to a heady decade of thrills and entertainment.

I enjoyed the privilege of knowing manager Luke Dempsey beforehand, but little could I have imagined as to what his significance might be for my county then and in forthcoming years. I also lived next door to Eunan McCormack, one of Luke’s backroom team members. Eunan kept me informed of how things were going after the team built up a head of steam. When the team were losing challenge matches, their mentors reassured the players that it was because they were a championship team!

The trilogy against Laois engaged the interest of the GAA world and I couldn’t see us being beaten after that. The nervous one-point victory over Longford told us that the bit of luck which always seemed to desert Westmeath teams would be with us this year … and so it came to pass – especially in the All-Ireland final against Derry.

As it happened, 1995 was the first year of my first ten-year Premium seat in Croke Park, and boy, was the timing never better. Clare won the hurling, when Pamela’s cousin Seanie McMahon lorded it at centre back for the ‘Banner’.

On the day of our greatest achievement up until then, whilst the team played magnificentlym we have to acknowledge the nod from Lady Luck - none more so than with the disallowed Derry goal in the first half.

Another lucky break was to have Dublin in the senior final. Now, in all my years of going to Croke Park, I would have said that the Dublin fans didn’t give a hoot about any other match and wouldn’t care who was in it or who won. But that day ‘The Hill’ got behind us in full voice and I believe that helped to carry us over the line.

My second-last abiding memory of the match is of Shane Deering’s rugby tackle on the Derry player heading down the field like a train. Shane came by that gene honestly! But all the players were magnificent – as I’m sure will be covered elsewhere in this piece.

Finally, when I think of the 1995 minor football final success, the first thought that springs to mind and my most abiding memory is that of Ber ‘The Ber’ Murtagh. Ber was a true friend of Westmeath GAA, a larger than life character and infectious company. There weren’t any Westmeath fans close to where I was in my seat; but about six rows back to my right, sat (no … he didn’t sit!) ‘The Ber’ on his own as well. We connected from a distance; gyrating, fist-pumping and shouting ourselves hoarse.

At the final whistle, Ber climbed over seats and people, grabbed me in the strongest bear hug I ever experienced, as we danced up and down the steps. Well, Ber danced – because my feet only touched the ground here and there! That was the year alright!

Bernie Comaskey is a keen Westmeath football and hurling supporter, and took great joy from 1995 and the heady years that followed. He fulfilled a promise to walk to Croke Park in 2004 when Westmeath reached the Leinster senior football final, which they won against Laois after a replay.