Local Notes: Mayo's victory evokes memories of 1951 for Kiltimagh man
Padraic 'Tulip' Walsh sings to the crowd at the Claremorris homecoming for the Mayo team, ably assisted by DJ Michael Burke. Picture: John Corless
When retired garage proprietor Mike Keane joined the thousands gathered in Canon Gibbons Park, Claremorris, to welcome home Mayo's 2026 All-Ireland champions last week, the occasion carried a significance few around him could match.
In 1951, Mike travelled to Croke Park in a 'Baby' Ford with two friends to watch Mayo defeat Meath and win Sam Maguire. Last week, he joined the large gathering to welcome the cup home once again.
The scenes in Claremorris were unlike anything he had witnessed before.
“It was unbelievable,” Mike said. “I've never seen anything like it. The whole pitch was covered with people.”
Estimating the attendance was impossible. Thousands packed the Claremorris GAA grounds, as Mayo's players and management arrived with the Sam Maguire Cup following the county's historic victory. The atmosphere was more like an outdoor concert than a civic reception, with supporters of every generation sharing in a celebration most waited a lifetime to experience.
DJ Michael Bourke was central to the occasion. Before the team arrived, he entertained the attendance with his humour and a selection of sing-along standards. Bohola man Michael is well-known in Kiltimagh having spent many years working in the town.
Another familiar Kiltimagh face also featured on stage when Padraic 'Tulip' Walsh performed Meat Loaf's ‘Two Out of Three Ain't Bad’, adding to the festival atmosphere as the crowd gathered.
For Mike, the day stirred memories of another Mayo team that captured the imagination of the county.
He recalled setting off for Dublin in September 1951 with two Claremorris men, Christy Swannick and Christy Foster, in a car that was only roadworthy thanks to some last-minute mechanical work.
“I put an engine into it the evening before the match,” he told the . “We hit off in it the next morning.”
At the time, Mike was serving his apprenticeship with Griffith's Garage in Claremorris, while Christy Swannick worked for the local bacon factory and also carried out part-time electrical work as rural electrification spread across the country.
The engine replacement took place on the roadside outside Swannick's house at the back of the Square in Claremorris.
“I don’t remember how long it took to change the engine. I kept going anyway until the engine was in. I was living in Murneen then, but I stayed with Christy that night after we finished the job. We hit off early on the Sunday morning. Cars were a lot simpler in those days.”
The journey to Dublin was an adventure in itself.
“There were no bypasses or motorways. You went through every town and village. It took us five or six hours to get there.”
The little Ford had its own peculiarities.
“The doors opened from the front and if you went over about thirty miles an hour they could fly open,” Mike recalled.
Even the windscreen wipers required careful planning.
“They worked off the engine vacuum. If you wanted the wipers to clean the windscreen, you had to take your foot off the accelerator to build up enough vacuum for them to work.”
There were no heaters either, while the side windows simply slid open.
“We got there anyway,” he said.
Mike admits that the match itself has faded somewhat from memory over the years, but one moment remains as vivid as ever.
“I remember coming out afterwards. Nearly everybody was rushing to get trains home and there was such a crush coming out the gate of Croke Park that my feet weren't touching the ground at all. The crowd was carrying me along.”
The experience left a lasting impression.
“If you fell, you'd have been trampled on. There was no talk of health and safety back then.”
Despite the long journey, the trio successfully travelled back to Mayo in the car after the game.
Mike's travelling companions were both well-known Claremorris men. Christy Foster later became one of the town's best-known personalities through his involvement in athletics, GAA, greyhound racing and his years delivering post around the town, where many remembered him constantly on the move. Christy Swannick wired houses all over the west of Ireland in advance of connection by the ESB.
Mike hopes to see Sam remain in Mayo now that we have finally bridged the 75-year gap.
“Let’s make it a habit now,” he said.
Kiltimagh Knock United has launched a recruitment drive for its new Under-21 team ahead of the upcoming season.
The squad is open to players born between 2006 and 2010, with the club encouraging young footballers to continue their development while representing their local club. The new team will provide an important stepping stone from underage to adult football.
Anyone interested in joining is asked to complete the club's expression of interest form. Further details are available through Kiltimagh Knock United's official social media channels.
The Summer Poker League continued at Teach O’Hora over the past fortnight, with Conor Byrne and Kieran McGee emerging as the winners of Rounds 8 and 9 respectively.
Round 8 attracted a field of 22 players competing for a prize pool of €770. Following a heads-up deal, Conor Byrne went on to defeat Kenny Forkan to claim the victory. Alan Sheridan finished third, with Andy Quinn taking fourth place. The remaining finalists were Paul Walsh (5th), Martin Regan (6th), Majella Gilmartin (7th), Pat Boyle (8th) and Keith Lydon (9th).
Last week's Round 9 tournament saw another heads-up deal, with Kieran McGee and Paul Walsh sharing the top two prizes before McGee went on to secure the win. Michael Sheridan finished third, while John Reynolds took fourth place. The remaining finalists were Michael Higgins (5th), Denise Foley (6th), John Borza (7th) Majella Gilmartin (8th) and Conor Byrne (9th).
Pat Boyle continues to lead the overall league standings on 177 points. John Borza remains in second place on 162, with Michael Higgins third on 152. The remainder of the current top twelve is John Reynolds (144), Alan Sheridan (142), Paul Walsh (139), Gerry Groarke (133), Michael Sheridan (132), Majella Gilmartin (129), Enda Ruane (121), and Conor Byrne and Nigel Maughan, who are level on 113 points.
The Summer League runs over 15 weeks, with a €50 entry fee each round that includes a rebuy or add-on. €5 from every entry and rebuy contributes to the league final prize pool, with the balance paid out on the night. At the conclusion of the league, the top 12 players in the standings, together with two qualifiers, will contest the Grand Final for a prize pool of approximately €3,500.
With capacity continuing to be reached each week, organisers have confirmed that no new players will be admitted for the remainder of the current league.
A closely fought evening of cards saw two pairings finish level at the top of the standings in another enjoyable 25 Card Drive.
Chris Flatley and Manus Kilcoyne shared first place with Jack Ryan and Danny Doherty after neither pairing could be separated at the end of play. Mary and Jimmy Doyle claimed third place following another consistent night's cards.
Philip Moore and Jack Pidgeon picked up the Last 10 prize, while Mary and Richard Carney won the spot prize.
The raffle prizes went to James Walsh, Geraldine Turbitt, Mary Carney and Richard Carney.
There was another winner in Kiltimagh GAA Club's weekly 50/50 draw last week when Johnny Malee collected the top prize of €654.
The club congratulated Johnny on his success and thanked everyone who continues to support the draw. Every ticket purchased, whether online or through local shops and pubs, helps the club to fund its activities and future projects.
James Neary from Knock was the lucky winner in last week's Kiltimagh Knock United Soccer Club 50/50 draw, collecting a prize of €485.
The weekly fundraiser continues to attract strong support from the local community, with proceeds helping to fund the club's teams, coaching programmes and day-to-day activities.
Club officials congratulated James on his win and thanked everyone who entered the draw and continues to support the club throughout the season.
