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Members of the successful St Paul’s 1975 side with finalists, Ballynacargy, at the reunion event. Absent was John Davis of St Paul’s.Image 2 of 6
The St Paul’s side which won the JFC title in 1975. Back row (L-R): Declan Mahon, Tommy Carr, Eugene Sheridan, Christy Reilly, Tommy McNamee, Jimmy Henry, Christy Shaw, Michael Reilly, Richie Shaw, Eddie Reilly, Gerry Laheen, Pat Shaw. Front row (L-R): John Davis, Noel Fitzsimons, Martin Carr, John Garry, Jim Fitzsimons, Tommy Cunneen, Ollie Molloy, Joseph Gilsenan, Eugene Dolan, Sean Rice and Anthony Kelly.Image 3 of 6
Joseph Gilsenan receives the commemorative medal from Jamie Gonoud.Image 4 of 6
Kenny Higgins, representing his uncle Declan Mahon, picks up the medal from Jamie Gonoud, special guest.Image 5 of 6
Sean Rice is presented with the medal by Jamie Gonoud.Image 6 of 6
Gerry Laheen, with special guest, Westmeath player Jamie Gonoud.St Paul’s GAA Club, Clonmellon, celebrated a significant achievement on November 15 when they gathered to honour the heroes of 1975 who won the Westmeath Junior Football Championship.
A memorable occasion in the Darnley Lodge Hotel, Athboy saw 19 of that successful St Paul’s side come together with family members to be honoured for their success 50 years on. Marie Guckian, St Paul’s GAA secretary, said a wonderful celebration was enjoyed by all who attended.
“We had 19 players from the 1975 side present. Sadly, one member of that team passed away, but it was great to honour such a fine achievement. It was really the club’s golden era if you like, as the team went on to win the Westmeath Intermediate title in 1977,” she said.
Remarkably, St Paul’s got the better of Ballynacargy in both the 1975 Junior decider and the 1977 Intermediate final. Members of Ballynacagry Junior side of ‘75 joined the Clonmellon faithful for the evening in what was a trip down memory lane.
The St Paul’s manager 50 years ago was Jimmy Henry, who also played in the final. The team was captained by Johnny Garry.
On what was a special evening, Westmeath football star Jamie Gonoud presented the St Paul’s players with a special commemorative medal. MC for the occasion was Eamon Murphy, a former St Paul’s player and committee member.
St Paul’s chairman Michael Murphy welcomed everyone at the outset, paving the way for what was a most enjoyable event.
The St Paul’s GAA Club expressed their gratitude to the following:
The management and staff at the Darnley Lodge Hotel. The MC on the night, Eamonn Murphy. Westmeath Gaelic footballer, Jamie Gonoud. The two truckers for the music.
The members of the 1975 Ballynacargy team who joined them on the night.
The Ballynacargy team was represented at the event by Johnnie and Willie Penrose, John Mulligan and Eamon Slevin. Ballynacargy’s turn for junior glory came a year later when they won the 1976 decider.
Johnnie Penrose praised the St Paul’s club for a superbly organised event. “It was a fantastic evening and we were honoured to be part of it and to meet the St Paul’s players again. I remember we went into the 1975 final as favourites, but St Paul’s had a fine team, physically stronger than us, and that proved the difference. There were a lot of dual players involved and Brownstown were big on the hurling scene at the time,” he said.
“St Paul’s won a tight game and it was very disappointing for us at the time, but we came back a year later to have our moment with Fr Ulic Troy as manager.”