GALLERY: Sonna NS and St Mary’s, Rathowen win at 14th staging of Iggy Fulham memorial tournament

It may have been unseasonably cold for June, but everybody in the large crowd in Milltown was delighted that the rain stayed away last Wednesday (June 5) as the 14th staging of the prestigious Iggy Fulham Memorial Primary Schools Football Tournament was held in Sean Doolin Park.

Unfortunately, Iggy’s father PJ was indisposed and unable to attend the tournament for the first time, but his wife Maureen turned up towards the end of the afternoon looking hale and hearty.

Iggy’s daughter Denise was the driving force this year and everything was splendidly organised, as all commemorated the great football coaching work done in local primary schools by Iggy (Ignatius), who died aged just 52, almost 16 years ago.

The following six schools participated in the main event, the Iggy Fulham Memorial Tournament: Ballymore, Ballynacargy, Dalystown, Dysart, Milltown, and Sonna.

Every team played five round robin games (all on a seven-a-side basis with unlimited subs) and Sonna emerged as worthy champions with a 4-9 to 1-3 win in the final against Dalystown, a match refereed by Shane Carroll (Caulry).

In the Iggy Fulham Memorial Shield, the following six schools competed: Boher, Emper, St Mary’s (Finea), St Mary’s (Rathowen) St Michael’s (Castletown Finea), and St Thomas’s (Rathowen). It was St Mary’s (Rathowen) who won out after a fine win over Emper by 8-1 to 1-2 in the final, refereed by Michael Gordon (Shandonagh).

The hugely-respected and widely-missed Ned Flynn had been the tournament MC from its initial staging up to his untimely death in February 2021.

The exciting and competitive Cic Fada (Long Kick) competition honouring his memory resulted as follows: 1st Sean Gaffney (Finea), 2nd Patrick Wallace (Sonna), and 3rd Cathal Donoghue (Milltown).

Ned’s successor as MC, Gerry Buckley, a supporter of the tournament in a journalistic capacity via the Westmeath Examiner since its foundation, opened his address by expressing his regret at the unavailability of PJ Fulham. In his absence, however, PJ and his wife Maureen and granddaughter Denise were warmly applauded for again coming up trumps with a smoothly-run event.

On behalf of the Fulham family, Gerry thanked Milltown GAA for use of the pitch, and the organising committee, led by Westmeath games officer, Darren Magee, who was present on the day.

Gerry also lauded the caterers led by Carmel Somers, who had fed guests throughout the morning and early afternoon; members of the local media for their reports and photographs; the teachers and parents and guardians for their input; and the five sponsors listed on the splendid programme.

Guest of honour, Milltown and Westmeath star Sarah Dillon, handed over the various trophies.

All participating players received medals for their input – as Gerry said: “There’s one for everybody in the audience.” The four referees on duty also received commemorative medals.

Sarah briefly addressed the gathering, recalling that she had played in the competition when attending the local national school, and she commended all the players on the day. She ended by expressing her wish that she would see many participants end up wearing the maroon and white colours (which she has adorned so brilliantly in recent years).

A beautiful glass presentation was made to the now-retired Jim Dalton and a bouquet of flowers was handed over to his wife Sally, who, Gerry said, “makes the best apple crumble in Ireland”, for their immense work over the years before and during the tournament, and in many facets of Gaelic games in and around Milltown. Jim spoke excellently in acknowledging the gifts with trademark humility.

Denise Fulham then took to the microphone and she spoke fondly of her late father Iggy.

Gerry finished off a delightful occasion by wishing everybody a “Happy Christmas”, explaining that Ned Flynn’s parting words on the phone to countless fellow Gaels invariably ended that way, “except at Christmastime”!