Down the years by the coast and East Meath

Michael Blake, the hero of Rossin GAA

JANUARY 1957: STEPPING aside to take a well earned bow this week we have Michael Blake, the popular hon. secretary of Rossin G.F.C, which is situated on the very borders of Meath and Louth, and participates in the East Meath Division of the Junior Championship. Michael, or to give him the name most familiar to his many friends, “Mick.” has held this position with the club since its revival a few years ago, while the experience gained during his long playing spell serves him- well in his capacity as a member of the selection committee.

Mick tells me that it seems like only yesterday, when, as a member of the Slane schools team, he would travel over to nearby Rossin to take on the home side. Transport would, invariably, be provided by the late Mr. Patrick Meade, former victualler in the village, who would put his lorry at the disposal of the lads free of charge. On the following Sunday, the Rossin lads would pay a return visit, and so it would go on all through the Summer months.

Great players like Eamonn McGovern, Paddy Corbally, Paddy McCabe, Tom Meade, son of the late Patrick Meade, who carries on the victualling business in the village at present. Mick Blake (Slane), and Kevin Murphy (present hon. sec. of Slane G.F.C), Tom White, Dan Smith (Dan is chairman of Rossin Club now), and Edward Farrell, etc., etc. (Rossin), first came into contact with the Gaelic code via this route.

Rossin came about when Kevin Murphy, Dan Smith, Tom Brien and a few other enthusiasts decided to form a team in the parish. This was around 1938 or ‘39.

Key men then were Peter McGuinness. who turned in some grand displays in the full-back position ; Jimmy Murphy, better known as the “Red,” a brother of Kevin, and a most elusive player who could always be relied upon to present many scoring opportunities to his colleagues: Pat McConnell, brother of the wellknown Meath inter-county star, Kevin McConnell (Pat has since gone to his eternal reward. R.I.P.); Charles Farrell. R.I.P., brother of Edward Farrell. and as wholehearted a player as one could wish to line-up with; Tom White and Dan Smith, and a man instrumental in forwarding the Gaelic cause in both parishes, Kevin Murphy.

About 1946 or 1947, neither Slane nor Rossin found it possible to field a side, so Mick, together with Patsy Cole, popular proprietor of a public house in Collon at present, and Ronan Phelan went to Bettystown. Here they met John Taaffe, Gerry Monaghan, Tommy Taaffe, Paddy Monaghan and perhaps the most famous of them all, Dessie Taaffe, whom Mick partnered at mid-field.

Every assistance was also given by Mr, Michael Taaffe, horticultural advisor with Meath bounty Council in selecting trees and shrubs.