Memories of 1995 to be relived
Minor heroes plan anniversary celebration
It’s now over 30 years since Westmeath won their only All-Ireland minor football title - a success which proved a major turning point in the county’s history.
On March 14, the players and management of that brilliant 1995 side which brought so much joy to the county, will meet to celebrate that famous victory. Captain Damien Gavin and manager Luke Dempsey are part of a small organising committee for the anniversary celebration in Bloomfield House Hotel, at which Darren Frehill of RTE Sport will be the MC. There will be footage of the season to enjoy and memorabilia to appreciate.
The minor success of ‘95 was the start of a golden era. An All-Ireland U21 title followed in 1999, while Westmeath finally ended the long wait for a Leinster senior football crown in 2004.
While only four members of the 1995 side won Leinster senior medals in 2004, and none of the quartet made the starting team or featured in the win over Laois in the provincial final replay, there was no doubt that the 1995 breakthrough acted as a catalyst and boosted self-belief at all levels.
In a county starved of success for so long, confidence levels tended to be wafer thin and Westmeath often appeared incapable of overcoming setbacks. However, the ground-breaking 1995 campaign helped to erase the losing mentality and inferiority complex that had dogged the Lake County for so long.
People from other counties might question the importance attached to an All-Ireland minor title. Yet, in the context of Westmeath GAA’s history, it was a hugely significant triumph.
It was the first All-Ireland title Westmeath had ever won at the top level of any of the main grades of competition – minor, U21 and senior. The closest Westmeath had come previously was when Michael Cremin’s minor team reached the 1963 All-Ireland minor final. The 1995 Leinster final trilogy against Laois became the stuff of legend and Westmeath brought huge support to the two replays played in Tullamore. The intensity of the atmosphere at those matches will never be forgotten by anyone in attendance.
Westmeath went on to defeat Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final before a hugely memorable victory over Derry in the decider. In what was an odyssey encompassing eight matches, Westmeath also defeated Wexford, Wicklow and Longford during their Leinster campaign.
Kenny McKinley, centre back on that 1995 team said there was a terrific bond among the players and the relationship has endured over three decades.
“We were a tightly knit group of lads. These were boys from other clubs but by the end of the summer we were best mates, and we’re still mates today. We’re still texting each other, we’ve gone to each other’s weddings over the years, and the memories are something we’ll always share.”
The St Loman’s, Mullingar star acknowledged that summer to remember was the lynchpin for many happy summers to come – the U21 All-Ireland in 1999, the Leinster MFC win in 2000, the Qualifier run in 2001, and Delaney Cup glory in 2004. “It was the start of it all,” he opined. “It was a great springboard, and the county went on a tremendous journey for a period of time after that.”
On September 17, 1995, every young man in a maroon jersey knew what he had to do. For Kenny and his defensive colleagues – the likes of Kevin Hickey (Shandonagh) and Shane Deering (The Downs) – it was primarily about stopping Joe Cassidy and future All Star Enda Muldoon. At the other end, the Lake County delivered and 1-5 from Thomas Cleary propelled them to an historic 1-10 to 0-11 victory.
The organising committee are seeking support for the March 14 celebration and anyone wishing to help can contact Tom Stuart-Trainor on 086 8360150 or Kevin Hickey on 087 9931703.
The heroes of ‘95 have never been formally recognised and this is an opportunity to acknowledge their enormous contribution to a county that, until then, could only dream of glory days in Croke Park.