New underage cup named in honour of the late Austin Garvin

It was almost as if the great man was looking down on us from his new vantage point beyond the pearly gates. It’s a sunny evening in Canon Gibbons Park in Claremorris, where the town’s Minor girls football team are playing Dunmore on the soil where one of South Mayo’s greatest sons ploughed his legendary furrow.

Austin Garvin’s legend began on the field as a player, was forged on the sideline as a coach, and concluded in the terraces as a reporter. Though never he will never clinch an encouraging fist or scribble another word on a notebook, his legacy has been carved into the gleaming metal of the Austin Garvin Memorial Cup - a new chalice that will be awarded to the 2024 South Mayo Minor A champions.

Austin Garvin’s promising playing career was cut short by a double collar-bone break at the age of 25 and he never realised his potential as a player. Instead, he nourished the potential hundreds of children; first with his club’s Minor team and later when he guided the Mayo Minors to seven provincial titles and two All-Ireland titles in 1971 and 1978.

“He was actually approached to go for the Mayo senior team at one point,” Austin’s son, Paul, told The Mayo News, “but no, his heart was here.” For decades thereafter, Austin reported for The Mayo News, covering everything from council meetings, to senior club championship, to golf. But Austin was happiest watching underage football, where he could spot the next Lee Keegan or Andy Moran in one hip-swivel or sidestep. “He understood football,” Donal Walsh, Chairman of South Mayo GAA, told The Mayo News.

“Being totally honest with you, being involved is one thing, but he totally understood all underage football, not only in South Mayo, but also in the county. He followed college games, school games, all club games, and he gave everyone their chance to be written up on. I think it’s fitting to have this cup named after him and have his name carry on again.”The idea was initiated by Claremorris Minor manager Padraic McHugh, backed by South Mayo GAA and blessed by the Garvin family.

The cup will replace the existing 59-year-old canister, which has been retired for this year but will be awarded to the 2025 South Mayo Minor ‘B’ champions. Next Tuesday in Canon Gibbons Park, the Garvins will present the inaugural Austin Garvin Memorial Cup to a young man not unlike the scores that Austin put through his hands. “Claremorris being his home, he would be absolutely delighted, and honoured and privileged that his legacy is being remembered in this way by the South Mayo county board,” says Paul Garvin.

“He did put a lot of work in, so it’s nice to see Dad, even though he’s no longer with us, at least he’s being remembered for what he did for the GAA.” Paul’s mother had one of the biggest washing machines in Claremorris to keep the socks, togs and jerseys washed. Though a family man first and foremost, Austin’s dedication to his second love often meant there were nights when Mary Garvin saw no sight of him until after 11 o’clock.

But she’s as understanding today as she was 40 years ago. “The underage football meant so much to him,” Mary told The Mayo News. “We felt if there was anything at all, that that’s where the cup would go, a memorial of all his years spent with football.” Though he barely kicked a ball himself, Paul Garvin saw first-hand why his father took to coaching and why the youngsters took to him.

“He was a good player, and people did respect and admire his capability on the pitch, but I suppose when he started to interact with the younger people, say at Minor age, they seemed to respect his ways and respect him. ‘This guy can actually play football’,” Paul explains.

_{Pictured holding the Austin Garvin Memorial Cup at Claremorris GAA Club are (back row, left to right) Paul Hunt, Chairman of Claremorris GAA, Donal Walshe, Chairman of South Mayo GAA, Ger Kelly, Manager of Claremorris Credit Union, Paul Garvin, son of the late Austin Garvin. Pictured in the front row are Austin's wife Mary Garvin and daughter Deirdre Pic: The Mayo News} 

In a 2021 interview with The Mayo News coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the famous 1971 All-Ireland Minor title, Austin summed up his coaching philosophy as follows: “‘You can if you think you can.’ That was our motto.” But there was more to it than slogans, sprints, bellowing and bawling.

“Dad always had a great way, he always managed to pull the very very best out of them. He instilled a belief in them and was constantly encouraging them,” Paul says. “I remember Dad there, when we were young lads, and he would go down on his hands and knees just full of encouragement. When parents saw that, they encouraged their kids to go. The more that the kids went, the more that they told their friends and that’s why it just literally snowballed out of there.”

On Tuesday, July 9, Claremorris and The Neale will not be competing for ‘an ordinary cup’, Paul assures. “This actually came from Austin Garvin and the family of the man that put so much in, and did so much for the game, and particularly at junior and underage level.” Surveying the splendid surrounds of Canon Gibbons Park last Tuesday evening, it felt like Austin Garvin had never been as close in spirit. “Do you know what,” remarks Donal Walsh, “I think he’s looking down, and he’s a happy man.”