County Champions of 1972 Reunite

​Front L-R: Mickey Menton, Gabriel Keating, Gerry Coffey, Seamus Comiskey, Brendan Penney, Anthony Doolan,  Seamus (Jumbo) Casey
Back L-R: Tom Hunt, Dominick Twomey, Mick Fahy, John McDermott, Hugh Griffin, Gerry Flanagan, Mick McNamara, Frank Daly, John O’Gara, Tom Donnellan 

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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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