COUNTY BOARD ROLES FOR SLIGO GAA LEGENDS:
TWO of Sligo’s best ever Gaelic footballers, Mickey Kearins and Barnes Murphy, has been given honorary roles by Sligo GAA. Beltra’s Kearins is the County Board’s new president and takes over from Tommy Kilcoyne, who left the role last December. Murphy, who is also a west Sligo native, hailing from Castleconnor, will be Sligo GAA’s new vice president.
Both appointments were revealed at last weekend’s online meeting of the County Board.
Outstanding talent Kearins, one of Ireland’s leading forwards in his prime, and teak-tough defender Murphy were teammates when Sligo won the Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship title in 1975 – at the time it ended a wait for Nestor Cup that went back to 1928. Along with playing, Murphy was also that team’s captain and coach. The duo were also GAA All Star recipients – Kearins was awarded in 1971 and Murphy got his accolade four years later.
Welcoming the appointments, calling Kearins and
Murphy
“such legends of Sligo
GAA”, County Board chairman Seán Carroll said: “We felt it was fitting to honour former players for outstanding service and not just the excellent administrators that have contributed at County Board level.”
“Who better to start with than our first two All Star winners as we reach the 50th anniversary of those awards,” he added.
President Kearins, who starred for Sligo, Connacht and his club, St Patrick’s, was delighted with his new role.
“I am genuinely honoured by this appointment. I know there is a lot of great new young talent coming through Sligo football now.”
“That reminds me of great days we enjoyed as players and I am proud to support them and lend my voice to their efforts,” stated. Murphy, who played club football for Enniscrone, St Mary’s and St John’s, was equally chuffed about his elevation to vice president of Sligo GAA.
“As a supporter and through my club I have watched the great work done in recent years to build the coaching structures and facilities in Sligo.”
“The GAA is a real force for good in difficult times and I am delighted to take this appointment and look forward to seeing all that work bring further enjoyment to players and supporters alike. I will help in any way I can,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the position of patron remains vacant. This role was previously held by the late Kieran McDermott, who passed in January. As a mark of respect, the formal announcement of McDermott’s successor will be deferred until
a later date.