New book on Mayo GAA clubs to be launched in Erris

To all Mayo GAA enthusiasts: If you are in Erris and looking for a good night of football chat, then Healy’s in Glenamoy is the place to be this Friday night!

Mayo GAA legends from the four Gaelic football clubs in Erris will be in the Angler’s Rest (Healy’s) for a special live panel show for what promises to be a night of fun and memories about some great days in their respective club’s history.

It is to mark the Erris launch of the new book, 'Our Finest Hour – Mayo GAA clubs reflect on their glory days' by former Mayo News journalist Edwin McGreal.

Among those taking part are former Mayo and Cill Chomáin netminder Fintan Ruddy, former Mayo and Beál an Mhuirthead player, manager and official John Gallagher, former Mayo selector and Kiltane star Martin Barrett, one of the stars of the great Ballycroy team of the 1980s, Seán Conway and fresh from winning his third Mayo JFC title, Cill Chomáin great, Brendan Moran.

McGreal’s book celebrates iconic moments in the history of Mayo GAA clubs. It will be on sale on the night and books can be signed if required.

There are some great moments in Erris GAA history featured in the book.

The club’s first-ever Mayo Junior championship win in 2005 is the focus of the Cill Chomáin chapter. Players from the team David Coyle, Brendan McGrath, Brendan Moran and Fintan Ruddy recall a historic year for the club and tell some incredible and hilarious stories. With the club regaining the Junior title this year, it is a timely reflection on their breakthrough title.

The 1987 North Mayo Junior triumph is the focus of the Ballycroy chapter. Some great tales from a famous year are recalled by Seán, Hughie and Eddie Conway, Frankie Leneghan, Michael Gallagher, Peter Cafferkey and Willie Sweeney, some of the players and management from that group - learn about the bank loan that made the difference and plenty more hilarious yarns.

Having a place to call home was a long quest for Beál an Mhuirthead and they celebrated the official opening of their home at Tallagh by winning the 2010 Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta there. Club stalwarts John Gallagher, Willie Sullivan and David Padden tell some hilarious stories of a dramatic period in the club’s history and give great insight into a famous day.

WATCH: Emotional scenes as Cill Chomáin win junior championship

Kiltane’s 1973 Intermediate title and the enduring 40-year spell at senior football that followed is the focus of the club’s chapter. Players Richard Cosgrove, Martin Barrett, Kieran Carey and Martin Coyle reflect on the culture that existed in the club which allowed them defy the odds year after year and not just stay senior but come within touching distance of a senior title.

From All-Ireland senior titles for Crossmolina and Ballina to landmark Junior B crowns for Eastern Gaels and Kilfian, Our Finest Hour is a celebration of all that is great about GAA clubs in Mayo.

Featuring wonderful moments across eight decades – from 1958 to 2023 – it highlights some lesser-known stories and fresh perspectives on some famous days. It is also a tribute to the clubs themselves and what they give to their communities.

The book is illustrated by over 200 photographs, many of which have never been published before.

The book is on sale in Castle Books in Castlebar, Carey’s in Belmullet, all good bookshops and can be bought online on mayobooks.ie where it can be shipped worldwide.