Frank O’Connell still vividly remembers some of Peter Mernagh’s goals and interventions on pitches throughout the west. Last week Mernagh, part of a famous sporting family in Galway, passed away.
O’Connell recalls how Mernagh made an impression as a particularly talented young player. “In the soccer community Peter was well renowned throughout his career starting in youth football,” O’Connell says.
“Peter was from the West - St Joseph's Avenue - he played for the local club, West United which most of the locals played for. Peter started with the U13 team, it is amazing the amount of players that were on that team, who kept playing throughout the ages. All were particularly good soccer players, but Peter stood out amongst them.”
It was a time when Michael O’Connor assisted so many with West, while Galway Rovers were also a strong and respected underage force. “West took the bulk of the people that lived around the West area, Rovers were based in the Claddagh,” O’Connell adds.
“While it had players coming from the Claddagh, it had players coming from areas like West did from Shantalla and the city centre - from Quay Street.”
Initially with West, Mernagh, like plenty of others, also featured and starred for Rovers. “He started in the early 70s and played right through until '74, I believe,” O’Connell says.
“He transferred to Galway Rovers and the connection with Galway Rovers was a big one. All of Peter's uncles on his mother's side, the McDermotts, were involved with Galway Rovers. His uncle Joe McDermott was secretary for Rovers for more than 30 years. So I think there was a bit of arm twisting that went on to get Peter to transfer to Galway Rovers.
“I would have to say much to my delight because I was well aware of Peter, he was two years younger than myself and was around the same age group as my brother Ger, who played for both clubs. I was delighted when Peter said he wanted to play Rovers.”
In the Connacht Minor Cup Mernagh sampled victory with both clubs. “He actually won one with West too,” the Rovers stalwart says.
“Then he came to Rovers he played in two finals, he played in the '75 Connacht Cup, but he didn't make the final because he was injured. Peter scored in the semi-final against St Colman's from Athlone. In '76 he captained the team, Peter went on to win that Connacht Cup medal.
“In the semi-final Peter scored a hat-trick, in the final he scored the first goal against Sligo Bohemians.”
Decades later one match remains in O’Connell’s thoughts. “His best game I ever saw him play was in the last 16 of the FAI Youth playing Shannon Town,” O’Connell says.
“Shannon Town consisted of a lot of Northern Ireland players because at that time during the troubles a lot of people moved from the North down South. In a very good game, a tight game with a massive crowd in Terryland.
“The game was nil all, it went to extra-time. In the first period of extra-time Denis McDonagh put a through ball, chipped it over the defence, Peter like a flash ran on towards the ball, the goalie came out, Peter chipped him to put it into the corner net.”
A well regarded Gaelic footballer with Western Stars too, Mernagh will be missed by many.
**Listen to the full interview with Frank O'Connell about Peter Mernagh (RIP ) on this week's 'Cian on Sport' podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
