The story of ‘Sandman’ Carvin

April 1971

JACK Carvin: A fascinating character who was described in 1946 by the legendary GAA writer Paddy Mehigan as “Louth’s greatest footballer”.

‘Sandman’ played for Meath, Dublin and Louth as well as winning 9 Senior medals with 5 different clubs. Born in John St., Drogheda, south of the Boyne in the Dioceses of Meath, his club Owen Roes (from Duleek St. Drogheda) won the Meath SF title in 1897 and in 1898 played Louth, represented by Boyne Rangers (also from Drogheda) in the Leinster Championship at Balbriggan.

In 1897 he had been on the losing Meath team in the Croke Cup Final and also the Leinster Final.

In 1898 his father “went down with his ship” and he was sent to work in his uncle’s quarry in Bohernabreena - hence the nickname. There with his exceptionally long arms and great strength he astounded the GAA people of Dublin and joined Kickhams.

It was back to Drogheda and 2 bloodless Louth titles in 1900 & ‘01 when his club Drogheda Independents were the only club affiliated. Independents won again in 1902, then further medals with Boyne Rovers (1904), Dundalk Young Irelands (’05), and finally Tredaghs in 1906, ‘09 and ‘10.

In 1905 the Great Southern & Western Railway presented a Shield for an inter-provincial competition and Jack played for Leinster in 1906 and 1907 the only 2 years in which it was run. Played 35 Championship matches between 1900 and 1916 he missed the 1912 All-Ireland Final through injury.

An all-round sportsman he was a noted handballer and was also one of 4 players who missed the 1902 championship when they were suspended for playing soccer. Finished his days working on Drogheda Docks.