Mayo man captains Limerick GAA club to county senior title

It was a special day for the Hutton family from Claremorris on Sunday when John captained Mungret St Paul’s to victory in the Limerick senior football final at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale.

The city side, based in the Raheen area, defeated Newcastle West by 0-12 to 1-5 to claim the title for the first time in the history of the club.

John, a former footballer through all the grades with Claremorris, is a primary school teacher based in Limerick.

He is son of Michael and Catherine Hutton, both natives of Donegal, who have resided in Claremorris for many years since Michael was transferred there as manager of the AIB bank.

John is also a brother-in-law of Mayo legend, Colm Boyle, who is married to Laura Hutton, and Colm and family members were all present at the match in Limerick on Sunday.

He has been a lucky helmsman for Mungret as he also captained them to the Limerick Intermediate crown in 2023 when they defeated Dromcollogher-Broadford on a scoreline of 1-8 to 1-3.

John has represented Claremorris at all grades and last played for the senior team in 2019.

He was a member of the Mayo team that lost to Kerry in the All Ireland junior final played in Croke Park in 2015.

Mungret led by 0-5 to 0-3 at the interval and some fine defensive work ensured that Newcastle West were well curtailed in the scoring efforts and only managed 1-3 from play for the entire game.

Hutton played a central role when scoring four points from frees and the celebrations were in full flow when the final whistle sounded and this Mungret St Paul’s team had entered the Limerick GAA record books.

Fireworks and flares greeted their return to the clubhouse in Raheen on a wet November’s evening with the celebrations going on for hours.

They face the daunting task of an away game to Kerry champions, Dingle, in the Munster Senior Football Championship semi-final on Sunday, November 23, at a Kerry venue.