Mayo remembers the late Brendan Martin
Players and management of Mayo's legendary All-Ireland winning ladies teams at their 2020 reunion with special guest Brendan Martin (back row, centre) who passed away last week.
The Mayo LGFA community has remembered with fondness Brendan Martin, who passed away last week aged 86.
The Offaly native was a pivotal figure in the foundation of women's gaelic football and his contribution to the sport has left a lasting legacy. He will always be remembered for his dedication and passion for promoting ladies gaelic football since its inception.
Brendan was a special guest at a 20-year reunion of the Mayo senior ladies football team held in Castlebar back in 2020. He had formed many friendships with members of that team after their All-Ireland wins in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003. The captains of those Mayo teams last met Brendan in Croke Parke in 2023 for the LGFA’s 50th celebrations.
Brendan was the LGFA’s very first assistant treasurer and, in 1974, he bought a cup at John J Cooke’s jewellers on Fownes Street in Dublin, which was first presented in October of that year by Offaly captain Agnes Gorman to her winning Tipperary counterpart, Kitty Ryan-Savage, following the very first All-Ireland Senior Final in LGFA history. The original cup was later replaced by a new trophy made at Kilkenny Castle by Des Byrne, a master silversmith who also created the new Sam Maguire Cup.
The winners of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship continue to receive the Brendan Martin Cup on an annual basis. His name will be forever associated with ladies gaelic football and many teams, including Mayo LGFA and its past players, will fondly remember him as a man of remarkable character.
Sympathy is extended to Brendan’s wife Mairead, sons Peter and Cormac, and his extended family and many friends.
May he rest in peace.
