Mac's View: Remembering Sligo's All-Ireland semi-final 50 years ago

It’s 50 years ago this week from Sligo’s All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry. I was involved with Sligo that year and they got a bad beating from Kerry in the semi-final. That was a very young Kerry team, but they went on to dominate football for more than a decade.

I remember Mickey Kearins missed a penalty and I should have had a word with him beforehand. The Kerry ‘keeper must have seen the side he kicked another penalty in the Connacht final. Kearins went for the same corner but the ‘keeper made a great save.

That was a very good Kerry team which went on to beat Dublin in the decider with young stars like Pat Spillane, Paudie O’Shea, Mike Sheehy, Ger Power, Ogie Moran, etc. 

I remember in the final their captain, Mickey Ned O’Sullivan was poleaxed and Pat  Spillane was the man who lifted the Sam Maguire.

Sligo had a young 20-year-old Mattie Hoey on the ‘40’ and he was top scorer that day for Sligo with three points. His nephew, Darragh, plays for Bundoran and indeed hit a two pointer on Sunday last in the Intermediate Championship but was only awarded one point, a decision which didn’t go well for Bundoran as they lost out by a point in the end.

Mick Laffey was also on that Sligo team and he is married to one of the Carrs of Carrick and his son is now part of the Sligo panel.

It was only Sligo’s second ever All-Ireland semi-final that day as winning Connacht titles was not easy when you had Mayo and Galway involved. They have dominated in Connacht throughout the history of the GAA.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

Back in Donegal we had a topsy turvy start to the Donegal senior championship at the weekend and that was understandable as a number of the Donegal senior panel were still away on holidays or are nursing injuries. It is only right that the players take some time out but I expect most of them will be back this weekend and we should see some competitive games.

There were a few good results at the weekend, not least Kilcar going to O’Donnell Park and turning St Eunan’s over. I know St Eunan’s were without their entire county players but Kilcar were short Ryan McHugh and Mark McHugh was only on the bench, so it was a good result for them.

There were good results also for MacCumhaill’s away to St Michael’s, while Glenswilly and Killybegs had good home wins over Naomh Conaill and Termon respectively.

But with four rounds in the group stages, there is a lot of football still to be played and you would expect some of the bigger clubs will get back on track this weekend.

I was at the Bundoran v Naomh Padraig, Muff Intermediate game and it was a bad result for Bundoran. We kicked 12 wides in the second half and then with the last kick of the game they hit a two pointer from distance to win it. It was a great kick, but Bundoran left the game behind them. They had a big call for a two pointer that was not allowed as well. The county player Caolan McColgan did not come out for the second half but Bundoran were without Oisin Walsh and Michael McEniff and you can’t afford to be missing players of that calibre.

This weekend we have eight more games in the senior championship and of the four on Saturday evening I would fancy Gaoth Dobhair to have too much for St Naul’s in Mountcharles; Naomh Conaill really have to win and that should see them defeat Ardara in what is a great local derby.

Dungloe entertain Killybegs in Dungloe and after both sides winning last week, this should be a good test but I expect Dungloe to come through.

The final game on Saturday evening sees St  Eunan’s play Aodh Ruadh in Fr Tierney Park and I might nip in to see this game. I expect that St Eunan’s will have some of their county players back and they also need to win.

On Sunday I expect Kilcar will have too much for Downings in Towney; I give the shout to Termon to overcome Four Masters at the Burn Road; Glenfin host St Michael’s in the evening throw-in and they can get the win, while the game of the day will see MacCumhaill’s face Glenswilly at the GAA Centre in Convoy. MacCumhaill’s are giving up home advantage because of pitch repairs at MacCumhaill Park and that could be a factor. I don’t know if Michael Murphy and Oisin Gallen are back and that could also be a factor but I give the nod to Glenswilly.

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There are six games in the Intermediate Championship with Bundoran travelling away to Gaeil Fhánada and they need to win and it won’t be easy; Muff have Malin at home on Saturday evening and this could be the toss of a coin. Both won last week so whoever wins here will be in pole position.

Milford should be too strong for Na Rossa on Sunday and Naomh Muire also look too strong for Red Hughs, who had a good home win last week over Cloughaneely.

Naomh Columba travel to Falcarragh and should get the win over Cloughaneely while Buncrana should be too strong for neighbours Burt.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell