Celebrating the day that Mayo VEC students held sway in Croke Park People and Places
Michael Commins ALL of 37 years may have slipped by but the All-Ireland winning Mayo Vocational School panel of 1971 had much to enthuse about as they finally got together for a reunion. They had all come a long way from that far-off day when they squeezed home by a single point against Antrim in a game that preceded the NFL semi-final between Mayo and Dublin, which Mayo also won.
In the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport, they had plenty to talk about and many stories and memories to recall. The big night was coordinated by Michael Ring (chairman) and Liam Gibbons (secretary) from Westport and Michael Prendergast (treasurer) from Claremorris while Joe McGrath, Thomas Hynes and Patsy Noone were also on the organising committee.
It was a night for chat and memories and the committee took a conscious decision not to have any music so as to facilitate all who wanted to sit back and relax in style and comfort and enjoy the pleasant banter.
The guest of honour was Jimmy Deenihan (TD) from Kerry and holder of six All-Ireland medals. A gracious gentleman, Jimmy spoke of his great friendships with Mayo people over the years and found time to share with everyone during the night. And one sensed it would give him much delight to see Mayo win the Sam Maguire Cup some day.
The speeches were kept nice and brief but were interlaced with some happy anecdotes from the 1971 era. The other speakers were Michael Ring and Michael Prendergast, who were both members of the team, as well as James Waldron, chairman of the Mayo County Board, and Pat Stanton who spoke on behalf of the VEC teachers.
Mayo defeated Antrim by a point, 2-4 to 0-8, to take the cup back to Mayo in 1971. It was a gripping final which went right down to the wire. The Mayo goals were scored by Des and Joe McGrath, the Kilmaine lads who were students in Ballinrobe VS at the time.
En route, Mayo had accounted for Leitrim, Galway City, Sligo and Dublin City. But none of the others ran them as close as Antrim.
One of the panel of 24 members that lined out in 1971 died in recent years. Sean Barrett was a sub on the team and came from the Belmullet area. Sean was a member of An Garda Síochána and had been stationed in Ballyhaunis for many years. He was fondly remembered by many during the reunion in Westport.
Also remembered in a special way were Joe Langan, Owen Roe O’Neill and Bobby O’Connell, all of whom were associated with the management team and selectors. Indeed, Joe togged out with the Mayo senior squad in 1971, immediately after seeing the young lads win the VS title.
The team that lined out in the 1971 final (with the names of their schools in brackets) was Damian McHale (Lacken Cross), Martin Mulloy (Castlebar), Geoff Diskin (Ballinrobe), Padraig Gillard (Ballina), John O’Boyle (Ballina), Gerry Barrins (Ballina), Padraig McCormack (Westport), Michael Prendergast (Claremorris), Pat Henry (Swinford),Liam Gibbons (Westport), David Lavelle (Castlebar), Stephen Kelly (Castlebar), Michael Ring (Westport), Des McGrath (Ballinrobe), Joe McGrath (Ballinrobe).
The subs were Pat Kenny (Swinford), Sean Barrett (Belmullet) RIP, Vincent Ryan (Westport), Peter Geraghty (Swinford), Hugh McMenamin (Geesala), Thomas Hynes (Lacken Cross), Peter Durcan (Charlestown), Tom O’Brien (Kiltimagh) and Jimmy Burke (Ballyhaunis).
The management team comprised of Joe Langan (RIP), Pat Stanton, Owen Roe O’Neill (RIP) and Bobby O’Connell (RIP). Other VEC teachers of the era such as Michael Herr, PJ McGrath, Paddy Cosgrove, Peader McGee, Christy Freyne, Paddy Gilvarry, Paddy Walsh, Tony McGarry, and Roddy Moran were also associated with the team along the way.
The reunion proved to be a most enjoyable affair with many former players meeting each other for the first time in years. Many were the memories exchanged on the night and there was no shortage of laughs and humour as the night wore on. After all, they had much to be proud of when reflecting on that far-off glorious day when they recorded a fine win for the green and red of Mayo.
It was a victory that was to set the standard for the Mayo minors who were back in Croke Park for September glory in the same year of 1971. For some years, there had been talk of bringing the squad together again but it finally happened on this occasion and it truly was a very special night for all associated with the victory of 37 years ago. Well done, lads.
