A unique event was held recently in Arus Bothar na Trá, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of a Salthill- based team winning the Galway County minor football championship. Never before had the group got together in the last 60 years.
It was attended by twelve of the original panel of twenty six. The group was welcomed and congratulated by the SKGAAS club chairman Paddy Lynch. He also presented them with individual certificates of attendance as a memento of the occasion.
They were Colie McDonagh, Tadhg McDonagh, Andrew D’Arcy, P.J. Small, Ja Reidy, John Cradock, Garry O’ Lochlainn, Don Lillis, Philip Cribbin, Eugene MacDonagh, Brendan Reid and Ralph O Gorman.
Andrew D’Arcy who, together with Arus manager James Molloy, organised the event told the assembled group that he was delighted to be able to contact fourteen of the original panel but that two unfortunately could not attend, namely Con Cunnane who was out of the country and Maidhc P. Ó Conaola who had last minute unforeseen commitments.
Eugene Mac Donagh had travelled from Dublin for the occasion, John Cradock from Kildare and P.J. Small was on holiday from his home in Maryland U.S.A. Andrew pointed out that, unfortunately, seven of the original panel were imithe ar shlí na fírinne agus rinne sé cómhbhrón ar son gach duine a bhí i láthair. Two others were too ill to attend and three others could not be contacted.
He paid tribute, in particular, to Con Cunnane, Philip Cribbin and Colie McDonagh ( the first three colleagues that he managed to contact ) for their enthusiasm and encouragement and also for giving him contact details for other members.
They also provided him with interesting information regarding the different matches played, the venues used and even details of the opposing teams. This information he shared with the group at the event. He then thanked the SKGAAA officers for their wonderful support in hosting the event.
Others to attend the event were the SKGAA secretary Brian Walsh, well known Galway sportsman Austen Molloy (father of James ) and local historian Paul McGinley together with his son Brian. Alan Mulholland, who has long associations with SKGAA attended on behalf of his late father John, who played on the ’63 team.
Paul McGinley (assisted by his son Brian ) then made a most interesting slide presentation. He showed copies of various cuttings and photos taken from newspapers over the years, including those of various teams from Salthill, spanning the period from 1954 onwards.
Many of those present featured in these slides of teams from the city leagues era in the 1950s and ‘60s, in both football and hurling.
Alan Mulholland made a thought provoking point when he stated that he currently manages the SKGAA minor team and should the time come when they might have a similar celebration, it will be in 2083!!
Finally, Colie Mac Donagh, who captained the winning team in 1963 made a very warm contribution, recalling his memories of the many matches played and stating that he once again felt as if he was under eighteen for the first time since 1963.
Ina dhiadh sin bhí greim le n-ithe agus deoch le n-ól agus neart caint agus cómhrá.
As the afternoon wore on many recollections were shared amongst the group of what was to them all a wonderful success an,d a truly great achievement in 1963. In effect they relived many moments of the effort they made and the fun they had on their journey to success.
Afterwards the most appropriate comment overheard was that ‘the banter was as if the group of late septuagenarians were back again in the dressing room’!
Fad saoil acu go léir.
