Proud occasion as Delvin relive 1989 junior success
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Aggie Konecka and Niall Brady at the Delvin football celebration on Saturday in the Mullingar Park Hotel. Pics: J McCauley.Image 2 of 15
Adam and Lorraine Brady.Image 3 of 15
Andrea Brady with Adam Nuzum.Image 4 of 15
Martin Fox enjoying the Delvin football celebration.Image 5 of 15
Leanne Farrelly, Margaret Farrelly, Aoife McCabe and Katie Duffy.Image 6 of 15
Paul Coll, with John Paul Duffy and Mary Duffy at the Delvin football celebration.Image 7 of 15
Delvin - 1989 Junior Football champions. Front (L-R): Declan McCormack, Ollie Newman, James Brady, Paul Newman, Michael Reilly (capt.), Pat Fox, Seamus Gaffney, Fr Martin Halpin. Back (L-R): Paul Coll, Margaret Farrelly (representing Larry Farrelly), Martin Fox, Lorcan Coll, David Leavy, JP Duffy, Patrick Doherty, Sean O’Brien (selector) and Emma Murphy (representing Kevin Murphy).Image 8 of 15
The Newman brothers, Oliver, Paul and Martin, at the Delvin celebration.Image 9 of 15
Sharon and Emily Leavy.Image 10 of 15
Colm and Maggie Fitzpatrick.Image 11 of 15
Mark Delaney and Susan Leavy.Image 12 of 15
Liam and Dora Woods, with Anne Reilly.Image 13 of 15
Michael ‘Spike’ Fagan, trainer of the ‘89 Delvin team, with Sean O’Brien and Carol Fagan.Image 14 of 15
Kay Gaffney and Teresa Smith.Image 15 of 15
Mick Monaghan, Louise Gaffney, Sean O'Brien, Bridie Monaghan and Seamus Gaffney.Delvin football celebrated the 35th anniversary of their only ever junior championship success back in 1989 at a special function in the Mullingar Park Hotel on Saturday.
On what was a glorious year for the club, under the guidance of former Mullingar Shamrocks and Westmeath star, Michael 'Spike' Fagan, they also landed the Junior Cup title, overcoming Milltown in both finals. 'Spike' also represented Ireland on the International Rules stage against Australia and his legendary status clearly helped inspire a renewed effort from the Delvin players.
Seamus Gaffney, David Leavy and James Brady were the main organisers of Saturday's celebration. It had been postponed from the autumn due to the death of Kevin Murphy, who was part of the 1989 side.
The video of the 1989 junior championship final was played on the night and people assembled for that in the function room. There was great interest in the game, in the players and all the people involved. Delvin dominated the second half, completely taking over against the Rathconrath men to win quite convincingly in the finish.
MC on the evening was Seamus Gaffney and he introduced the various members of the ‘89 side, who each received a memento. People relived the memorable day and it was remarkable to watch the late Ned Flynn interviewing those involved in the success. The video is now available on youtube.
“We just got a good run in the second half and dominated it,” recalled Seán O’Brien, who was chairman of the club and a selector in ‘89.
Fr Heaney PP of Delvin and president of the Delvin GAA club, was in attendance, as was Fr Mark Halpin, PP of Ballinabrackey, who was corner back on the team.
It was Delvin’s one and only junior football success, one which was reward for persistence. In 1986, they lost to Ballinagore in the semi-final and in ‘87 lost in a final replay against Shandonagh. In ‘88 they were beaten by Killucan in the semi-final, but eventually in 1989 they were junior championship football champions.
In 1990 Delvin suffered relegation back to junior after losing to Tyrrellspass in the intermediate championship. Seán O’Brien thanked the three organisers for their great work. “They did a fantastic job and deserve great credit,” he remarked.
Delvin football has endured many lean years but there is new hope on the horizon as the club has contested the Junior 2 football final in the past two seasons.