Club, county players that stood out
I don’t know about you, but folks are positively ecstatic at getting the ‘jab’ call up.
Here’s hoping you all get yours soon. Looks promising then for a slow release to some socialisation – Zoom has become a bit like marmite!
Since my decades of Gaelic games in The Sligo Champion last year, I have received a bucketful of emails and letters berating me for not including my greatest Sligo team.
Well, my good readers, I will now endeavour to put this wrong right, and indeed select my best club players as well.
I’ve seen a lot of Sligo football both county and club matches, starting in the late fifties during my early teenage years when I would excitedly hitch a lift to a match hoping to get a glimpse of local Sligo legends battling it out on mud bath pitches.
I remember watching those great players in awe.
As the years passed, and during my mid to late teens, I was fortunate enough to not only enjoy watching as a spectator but to play at a local level against some.
Now as I sit back and attempt to select my greatest team of Sligo legends, I feel the same sense of awe at the task in hand.
It is both an exciting and hazardous exercise! So, this is my ‘Best of the Bunch’.
Thankfully my memory is still good and as one traverses the years, the sheer class of Mickey Kearins still rules supreme.
The power of Danny McHugh’s left foot as he drives towards goal, Brendan McCauley with his ability to glide away from defenders, the list is endless.
On the Sligo club front, St Patrick’s of Dromard had the best club team in my time watching the games, and when success after success came regularly to them, you tend to remember their players.
Seamie Donegan, a compact footballer, big Joe Cuffe, arriving in his green van at Markievicz Park before kick-off, Denny Haran of Grange in that lovely green jersey soaring up to the sky to grab the leather, Liam McHugh of Cliffoney with deft solo runs and the best underage footballer I ever saw, Tommy Currid of Maugherow.
My time was short lived as I headed to England in the late sixties so therefore only footballers from this period and a little into the early seventies have been considered for inclusion in my selections.
Sligo’s senior team had some really good players in my time, but unfortunately not enough of them at the same time.
I’ve only chosen players who I saw in action, so here goes!
GOALKEEPER Noel Mullaney, Sooey
By far the best keeper during the late fifties and best part of the sixties. Noel was the essence of dependability and remained calm and alert at all times.
DEFENDERS Mattie Brennan, Tourlestrane
First saw Mattie in the early sixties playing for Tubbercurry vocational school. It was obvious then he had the makings of a great player. Had a long and distinguished career in the Sligo jersey.
George Hatton, Craobh Rua
George played in a number of different positions for Sligo, usually in defence. Quite a skilful player.
John Brennan, Toulestrane
Arguably the greatest full-back in Sligo’s footballing history. A big man on the edge of the square, who looked after his position as if his life depended on it.
Jimmy Killoran, Knockalassa later Shamrock Gaels
Jimmy started out his career with Roscommon minors in 1954, before switching back to Sligo, where he gave sterling service for the best part of ten years to the senior team.
Padraig Keane, Curry
Longevity springs to mind when you mention the Curry man. He was there from the late fifties and made the Sligo backline his own. Quite focused and brave.
Sean Durkin, Curry
Fr. Sean, who is now parish priest in Manchester was a delightful clean footballer in the half-back line.
John Gilmartin, Drumcliffe
First came face to face with John at a game in Summerhill College, where his footballing ability stood out at the age of sixteen. A truly wonderful player who first showcased his skills in the All-Ireland Minor final in ’68.
Barnes Murphy, Craobh Rua
No frills or fancy stuff with Barnes, he drove his team on with determination and genuine desire. A solid defender who will always be remembered for his role in Sligo’s Connacht title in’75.
Liam Caffrey, Enniscrone
One of the true ‘greats’ of Sligo football, and a man who could be described as a stonewall defender. Represented Connacht in the Railway Cup competition many times.
MIDFIELD Bill Shannon, Collooney Harps
A much-travelled player with Mayo, Galway and Sligo, Bill was a rock in the centre of the field, and for a big man had subtle and delicate skills.
Cathal Cawley, Ballinacarrow
Cathal was a wonderful servant to Sligo over many years. A hard tackling player with natural ability who played with fire in his belly.
FORWARDS Jim Colleary, Curry
A player with good balance and very much a team player. An energetic and talented footballer.
Mick Kenny. Easkey
Mick played with passion and never let the side down. He had good vision and an eye for goal at all times.
Danny McHugh, Cliffoney
Dan had the strength of a lion and would go through a brick wall with ball in hand. He possessed an electrifying shot and his scoring feats with club and county are legendary.
Padraig McMunn, St Patrick’s
A pocket rocket with blistering speed. For a small man he was hard to knock off the ball and had a good scoring record.
Mickey Kearins, St Patrick’s
Up there with the greatest players in the history of the game. I had the misfortune of playing against St Pat’s quite a bit in the sixties, and my job was to mark him tightly. The best backs in the country tried and failed, so did I!
Joe Hannon, Ballisodare
Joe lit up the sky every time I saw him play. A lovely footballer who played to a frighting degree of intensity. What a player!
Jackie McHugh, Cliffoney
If Jackie had a fault, it was his nicety, such a clean player. One of the classiest players in the game.
Brendan McCauley, Collooney Harps
A terrific footballer, deceptively strong and good in the air. A joy to watch.
Mickey Durkin, Mullinabreena
Not exactly sure which club Mickey played for but Mullinabreena springs to mind. A force of nature, never let he side down.
So, this is my team!
Noel Mullaney (Sooey)
Mattie Brennan (Tourlestrane) John Brennan (Tourlestrane) Padraig Keane (Curry)
John Gilmartin (Drumcliffe) Barnes Murphy (Craobh Rua) Liam Caffrey (Enniscrone)
Bill Shannon (Collooney Harps) Cathal Cawley (Ballinacarrow)
Jim Colleary (Curry) Danny McHugh (Cliffoney) Mickey Kearins (St Patrick’s)
Joe Hannon (Ballisodare) Brendan McCauley (Collooney Harps) Mickey Durkin (Mullinabreena)
Club footballers
I was blessed to watch and play with and against some of the finest club footballers in Sligo around this period. My choice of players is personal and based on my recollection of games I saw over the years. Of course, I didn’t see all teams play and, in this respect, I may have left out players who should have been in my panel, but team selection is a risky business and I’m sure I will not please everyone!
County senior players have been exclud
ed from my selections.
GOALKEEPERS Leo Kilfeather, Grange
Confident and brave under the dropping ball. Leo gave many years’ service in goal for the North Sligo men.
Tommy Weir, Ballisodare
Good hands and not easily rattled. Won a County Senior Championship medal in 1969.
DEFENDERS
Seamie Donegan, St Patrick’s
I always felt he was the backroom engine of the great St Pat’s team of the sixties. Stuck to his opponent like glue.
Jimmy McIlroy, Drumcliffe
Jimmy would tackle hard but fair, good temperament with an easy-going style.
John Sherlock, Ballisodare
Such a compact footballer, an essence of reliability.
Hugh Quinn, Cliffoney
A huge man who was playing Junior football by fifteen. Hugh played with Sligo Minors in 1965. A cool reliable footballer, with calm efficiency.
Michael Haran, Drumcliffe
Michael had great positional sense and was quite agile and brave. A tireless worker who could always rise to the occasion.
Kevin Cryan, St Kevin’s, Keash
A good utility man, with an air of authority about him.
Joe Cuffe, St Patrick’s
A giant of a man, but also a decent footballer, the size of him would scare the life out of you.
Johnny Watters, Cliffoney
Johnny was somewhat unlucky to miss the cut-off point of age with Sligo Minors in ’68. He had been a regular in ’67. A tough footballer who hit hard.
MIDFIELD Seamus Feeney, Grange
It’s always strange how good minors never quite make the senior grade. Seamus was a case in point. He was certainly over-looked by selectors who tended to forget Gaelic football was also played in North Sligo.
Stanley Beckett, St Patrick’s
Stanley was an integral part of a great St Pat’s team. A good fielder of the ball and a tremendous worker.
FORWARDS Liam McHugh, Cliffoney
From a band of brothers who illuminated the North Sligo football scene over many years, Liam had a unique style of solo runs. I’m convinced he did not drop ball to toe, in fact, he was so adapt and quick at pretended to do so.
Denny Haran, Grange
Well before I saw the ‘high fielding’ of Mick O’Connell, Denny captured my imagination in leaping like a salmon and grabbing leather. A brilliant exponent of the ‘catch and kick’ game.
Frank Keaney, St Columba’s, Calry
The hospital team was one of the best club teams in Junior football in Sligo during the sixties. Frank was a clever player with bags of energy, and a driving force in the club’s successes.
Tommy Currid, Maugherow
The best underage player I saw during my time watching football. Tommy possessed a great pair of hands and could sell such a dummy to a ventriloquist, often leaving opponents trailing in his wake.
Willie Gilligan, Coolera
A tenacious tackler, often the bedrock of the Coolera defence. Quite hard and fearless,
Paddy Duggan, Sooey
Although well past his prime when I saw him play, he had tremendous vision and his distribution of the ball was unreal. I just loved watching Paddy play.
John Mannion, Drumcliffe
Utterly reliable, He did not stand on ceremony. John had a good-hearted approach to each game, and was difficult to de-possess.
Gus McHugh, Cliffoney
Gus had a deceptive burst of speed, and never shirked a tackle. He relished challenges and could take care of himself.
PJ Sloyan, Easkey
An excellent player who gave total commitment to the club. PJ had a lot of natural ability, and combined well with players around him. There were many others equally as good as those in my panel like, Mick Molloy of Ballisodare, John and Jimmy Gunnigle of Cliffoney, Joe Gorman of Mullinabreena, Brian Murphy and Brian O’Beirne of Drumcliffe, Eugene Feeney and Paddy Hoey of Grange and PJ Doyle from Bunninadden.
This is my club team!
Tommy Weir (Ballisodare)
Seamie Donegan (St Patrick’s) Hugh Quinn (Cliffoney) Michael Haran(Drumcliffe)
Kevin Cryan (St Kevin’s) Joe Cuffe (St Patrick’s) Johnny Watters (Cliffoney)
Stanley Beckett (St Patrick’s) Seamus Feeney (Grange)
Liam McHugh (Cliffoney) Denny Haran (Grange)
Tommy Currid (Maugherow)
Paddy Duggan (Sooey) John Mannion (Drumcliffe) Frank Keaney (St Columba’s)
Henry Wymbs is a radio presenter in the United Kingdom with the BBC.
Born on his parents’ farm near Cliffoney, he is the eldest of ten children.
Henry moved to England in the late 1960s where he forged a successful career with Thames Valley Police. Since retiring from the police force he has been championing Irish music in the UK, first appearing on BBC Radio Oxford in 1996. He lives in Oxfordshire with his wife and has adult sons.