First Sligo team to win an All- Ireland College Final meet 25 years on
Twenty Five Years ago, on May 3rd 1992, Banada Abbey Secondary School Senior Football Team won the All- Ireland Colleges “B” Title when they defeated Edenderry ( Offaly) with a 5 point victory.
Thousands of Sligo Fans made their way to cheer on the squad of 17 starlets at the greatly anticipated replay match in Hyde Park Roscommon where Sligo paved the way for sporting in the North- West of Ireland.
Many members of the football team have gone on to have successful careers in GAA: star- midfielder Eamon O’Hara, Padraic Doohan, Fergal O’Flaherty and then captain Ignatius Haran to name but a few.
The football team was a young one with sharpshooter Fergal O’Flaherty and Raymond Gallagher in defence at a mere 15 years of age.
Even Banada’s most senior players were no more than 18 years of age.
Michael Collins, manger of the football team in 1992 put assembled the unique bunch of dedicated players along with his assistants Padraic Maye and Tom Gilligan.
Michael believes the win ‘ helped promote GAA in the area’.
The win was repeated less than four years ago when St Attracta’s secondary school won the same title.
A function is being organized to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the win and to relive some of the great moments of this magnificent achievement.
It will be held in the Yeats County Hotel, Curry on Saturday 3rd June commencing at 8.00pm.
A full Buffet meal will be served at 9.00pm sharp and the cost of tickets is € 20.
Numbers are limited and therefore those wishing to attend the event should contact any of the following as soon as possible but no later than this the Friday 19th May.
For more information regarding the event or to organise tickets please Contact: Ignatius Haran ( 086- 8569869), Michael Durkin 087- 9330733), John Gilmartin ( 087- 6725902), Michael Collins ( 087- 2458612).