Mayo All-Ireland winner dies in Claremorris

Mayo All-Ireland winner dies in Claremorris


Michael Commins

MANY tributes have been paid to Michael Maloney from Claremorris who died last week at the age of 57. Mickey, as he was affectionately known to many, was a highly-rated footballer who was a member of the Mayo team that defeated Cork in the All Ireland minor final of 1971 and the U-21 team that defeated Antrim in the 1974 All-Ireland final.
Mickey was a member of a well-known family and his parents Martin and Mary Maloney operated a victualling business from their home at Main Street in the town for many years. His brother Marty has also been associated with that tradition down the years.
An agent for the Kepak group, Mickey drew cattle to their factory in Athleague in Co Roscommon. He was very well known at marts around the country and this was reflected in the large number of cattle dealers and farmers who attended the funeral ceremonies at the weekend.
Strong and determined, Mickey Maloney had a wonderful flair for sport during his years on the playing fields. Even as a seven year-old, his commitment manifested itself when a burst ball led to no football for a few days around Maloney’s back garden. Michael kept asking his mother when they would have a new ball and she kept saying ‘tomorrow’. After a week or so, he could stand the waiting no longer .. “Is today tomorrow?”, he asked. The football arrived later that day!
Apart from his two All Ireland medals (he scored 1-1 and 1-3 playing at corner forward), Mickey also won a Mayo senior championship with Claremorris in 1971 and two county minor and U-21 titles with Claremorris. Along with his brother Noel, he also played hurling with Mayo. His brother Marty also gave many fine football displays in the club jersey.
He was also a fine soccer player and, along with others like JP Kean, was a member of the Balla soccer team that dominated the Mayo scene in the 1970s where they won a number of county leagues and other honours.
Mickey also had a passion for racing and the regular wager gave him extra interest in the form books. He enjoyed his pint with friends (like “Tick” Higgins and company) and there was never any shortage of banter and memories and laughs when he was around.
For the last two years or so, Mickey had been coping with an illness. Throughout it all he showed his usual strength and fortitude and fought the good fight to the end.
A constant stream of people paid their respects at the family home in Dromineen on Saturday. Removal took place to Claremorris Church with burial in St Colman’s Cemetery following Requiem Mass on Sunday. The coffin was draped in the red and green flag of Mayo. Fr Peter Gannon described Mickey as “one of the great characters of the town” as the overflow congregation applauded in appreciation.
Michael is survived by his wife Ann (nee O’Rourke from Portumna) and family Keith, Karen and Paul, brothers Noel (Roscommon) and Marty (Claremorris and Tourmakeady), sister Mary Halpin (Westport), nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.

O’Mahony tribute
Mickey Maloney was a wonderful servant to the Mayo GAA family in his illustrious playing career, said Mayo Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony. Speaking after learning of his passing, Deputy O’Mahony, who played alongside Mickey for Mayo, said the county had lost a great man. “Mickey epitomised all that’s great about the GAA and about sport in general. He was a wonderful and loyal colleague and the friendship we established as minors in 1971 never waned,” he said.
Mayo won that All-Ireland minor final in 1971 when they beat Cork and Deputy O’Mahony remembers the role played by Mickey Maloney. “He was a key member of that team and he played a huge role in our win,” he said. Three years after the minor victory the two men were team mates again when Mayo beat Antrim in the Under-21 final. “Looking back now, it’s probably easier to appreciate just how good Mickey was. He was as reliable as you could get and he never let you down. He always gave one hundred per cent and the only thing he asked of his team mates was that they would do the same. Mickey was the classic team player long before the term became as fashionable as it is today, “said Deputy O’Mahony.
The two men kept in contact and it was not that long ago that they met in Castlebar along with another Claremorris legend, Mick ‘Tick’ Higgins. “Mickey was obviously ill at the time but his spirit was as high as ever and we talked about all matters GAA. He was still passionate about the Mayo team and he cared passionately about how the team fared. We spoke for hours about the county team fortunes and what could be done to bridge that gap since the Sam Maguire last came to the county.
“Even though we all knew that Mickey was ill, it still came as a huge shock to us all when he passed away. He was a wonderful man and a great friend and he’ll be dearly missed by his family and all his friends. On behalf of al the members of the minor team of 1971 and the Under-21 team of 1974, I would like to express my sincere sympathies to his family on his untimely passing. May his soul rest in peace.”