On Friday 27th Jan the Roscommon Gaels Senior County Football Champions from 1972 reunited to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of their success. There was a great turnout and all who attended had a most enjoyable evening which started in Regan’sBar and Restuarant with a fantastic meal and onwards to the great GAA haunt that is the “Down The Hatch” pub.

The event, organised and driven by players John O’Gara and Michael McNamara, was well attended with many coming long distance to reflect and celebrate with old friends and great Gaels. Mick McNamara was the conductor of speeches during the meal with many players present giving a reflection of their memory of the campaign which started with a victory over Clann na nGael and Rooskey in the early rounds, and culminating with a superb victory over the kingpins of Roscommon at the time, Castlerea St Kevin’s. Indeed, the Castlerea team was full of Roscommon inter county stars who had just won the Connacht title in 1972 and lost to Kerry in the All Ireland Semi Final.  

This was a key success for the club at the time and indeed kick started our golden period of success which we had in the seventies. Many of this team represented Roscommon during the successful 1977-1980 years.

Re-living the 1972 campaign all players reflected on key events that made the success possible but one common factor was that each one gave themselves the “Man of the Match award! One sombre moment was remembering those members of the team, management and club delegates that have gone to their eternal reward. The influence of the school football (Brother Dwyer), Street Leagues (Roscommon Gaels coaches) and Mick Hoare (Manager) was spoken about in detail. 

The night was a huge success and more great memories were made among great friends and club stalwarts.  50 years ago this team kick started Roscommon Gaels back to life and no doubt if the club’s current crop of players are as united as this group proved on Friday night to be, maybe another Golden era awaits. 

Congrats to the Team of ‘72 and thank you so much for the memories. 
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On Sunday morning January 29th, the Under 16 Ladies in Roscommon Gaels had an early call.  But this early call was well worth getting up for, as they were heading into the Lounge at the Hyde to meet Cork super woman, Rena Buckley. 

Rena kindly agreed to come and meet the girls for a breakfast meeting, have a chat and most of all to celebrate their recent success at Division 1 Football along with Camogie A Winners in the county.  

As one of the most decorated ladies in Irish Sport, Rena has18 All-Ireland Medals to her name between Camogie and Football for Cork Senior Ladies.  She has also represented Ireland at Internation Rules.  She was the first player to captain Cork to both All-Ireland senior championships, and was also named as an All Star on eleven occasions. In 2015 Buckley and her team mate and fellow dual player, Briege Corkery, were named joint winners of the 2015 The Irish Times/ Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year Award.

Rena spoke with all of girls, passing on some of her experiences and sharing inspirational stories from her sporting career.  She presented each girl with newly purchased sportswear also.  A big thankyou to all the parents who accompanied the girls to the Lounge and to all who helped organise the event.  Thankyou also to the trainers and coaches of both teams who without their dedication and committment, success would not have been possible for the both teams.  

Looking forward to the new season ahead.