Once were warriors
Ever wondered what happened to the Mayo team that won the National League in 2001?
Feature
Mike Finnerty
1 Peter Burke
THE Kiltimagh goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in that final and went on to play in the 2004 All-Ireland. He also lined out with his club in the All-Ireland Junior final at Croke Park back in March. Burke, who lives in Knock, retired from inter-county football six years ago and works as a carpenter. He is 33 now.
2 Ray Connelly
THE teak-tough Hollymount defender (34) turned in a superb display in the League Final. However, his subsequent championship was spoiled by a controversial red card against Roscommon.
Ray, whose career was blighted by injuries, still plays with Hollymount. He now works with CPH (Charleville Plant and Tool Hire) in Claremorris.
3 Tom Nallen
NICKNAMED ‘The Riddler’ by his team-mates in Crossmolina, 2001 was a great year for Mayo’s full-back as he won National League and All-Ireland club medals at Croke Park.
Nallen also went on to score a goal against Sligo in the Connacht championship that year. He played for Crossmolina last season and now works with Allianz in Dublin.
4 Kevin Cahill
THE Ballaghaderreen defender played almost all his football at full-back for Mayo but wore number four in the League Final. He played his last game for the county in July, 2001 against Westmeath in the All-Ireland Qualifier.
Cahill is now a selector with Ballaghaderreen and works as an accountant in the town.
5 Fergal Costello
COS won three Connacht senior championship medals during his eight years with the Mayo senior squad. He also played in two All-Ireland finals and was the team captain in 2004.
He transferred from Ballinrobe to Naas (where he now lives) five years ago and still plays club football. He works in Dublin with the Irish Army.
6 Alan Roche
THE Davitts hardman took no prisoners at centre-back and had no shortage of admirers due to his no-nonsense approach and honesty.
He made his debut in 1999 under John Maughan and played his last game for Mayo under the same manager five years ago. He has retired from club football and works in McHale’s, Ballinrobe.
7 Noel Connelly
THE man who lifted the National League cup kicked two points in the final. By the time he retired at the end of the 2003 season, Connelly had won three Connacht championship medals.
He still plays with Hollymount and has set up his own company, Noel Connelly ceilings.
8 Colm McManamon
THERE was only one Colm Mac. The Burrishoole colossus made his debut in 1995 and retired seven years later. He won three Connacht senior championships during his career and only retired from club football at the end of last season.
He is currently manager of the Burrishoole senior team and works as an electrician.
9 David Brady
DB talked the talk and walked the walk during his playing career and continues to do the same in retirement. Having won five Connacht senior medals, and an All-Ireland club bauble, the Ballina midfielder now contributes to Newstalk and TV3’s GAA coverage. He retired from club football three years ago and works as a Medical Rep.
10 James Gill
THE Westport wing-forward was in just his second season with the seniors but his three points (two frees) in the final were worth their weight in gold.
Gill played in the 2004 All-Ireland final but a series of injury problems have dogged his club career in recent seasons. He works as an accountant with AMO in Westport.
11 David McDonagh
ONE crucial point in the League Final was just reward for the sterling work done by ‘Dowie’ against Galway. An under-rated player, the Davitts forward made a big impression all that season before slipping off the radar. He still plays with his club and is a teacher in Ballyhaunis CS.
12 Trevor Mortimer
THE only survivor from the 2001 Final who will feature next weekend, Mortimer is now in his eleventh season with the Mayo senior squad.
He is also the county captain this season and is aiming to win his fourth senior Connacht championship medal. He is the manager of the family quarry business.
13 Marty McNicholas
MARTY MAC drilled the final point against Galway at Croke Park and his all-action style meant that he was always a threat when the ball came his way.
A promising county career was, unfortunately, stalled by niggling injuries and the corner-forward never realised his full potential. McNicholas still plays with Breaffy and works as a plumber.
14 Ronan Loftus
SO, did you remember who was full-forward that day? The former Burrishoole footballer was a precocious underage star but, incredibly, started just one further game for Mayo after this League Final.
Loftus was unable to get a clean run free of injury and gradually faded out for both club and county. He now works as a Garda in Mullingar.
15 Stephen Carolan
DESPITE his relatively short inter-county career, Carolan always put in a solid shift when given the start. He kicked a point in the League Final and went on to nail some crucial scores until his last game in 2005.
He is still doing the business for Belmullet and works with Mayo County Council.
Subs used:
Michael Moyles
A FIRM favourite of Pat Holmes, the versatile Crossmolina man used his athleticism and eye-for-a-score to good effect.
Moyles was part of the Mayo squad until the end of the 2005 season but a serious back injury ended his career completely in 2008. He now works as a teacher.
James Nallen
THE Crossmolina legend went on to become the most capped Mayo footballer of all time with 132 appearances. By the time he retired, earlier this year, he had won five Connacht senior championship medals and two All Stars.
He has transferred to Claregalway and works in the physics department at NUI, Galway.
Maurice Sheridan
THE former Balla footballer came off the bench to nail two big place-kicks (one from a ‘45) and, as usual, didn’t let the side down at Croke Park.
Sheridan won three Connacht senior championship medals and an All-Ireland club title with Salthill/Knocknacarra in 2005. He now works as a teacher in St Louis CS, Kiltimagh.
David Nestor
GONE but not forgotten, this will-o-the-wisp corner-forward could always be relied on for a big goal when Mayo needed it.
Nestor played all his club football in Mayo with Ballyhaunis before transferring to Naas where he won an Intermediate title last year. He works in the pharmaceutical industry in Dublin.