-
Greenburrin
team c.1975
- Where
are they now?
- By Kieran Murphy
-
Back: Tommy Flynn, Billy Ryan, Oily Hennessy,
Paul Haughney, Mick Sullivan, Tommy Sheridan, Niall
Broughall, P.J. Keating.
-
Front: Gerry Mutton, Gerry O'Brien, John
Byrne, Christy Lawler, Gerry Keating.
|
Soccer days to remember
Mick
Sullivan has fond memories of his soccer playing days in Carlow. He is
unsure of when this photograph was taken but with P.J. Keating in the
photograph it can be fairly certain that it is a
Greenburrin team of the
mid seventies.
"They
were great days. There was a great bond between the players and we
played in the Dublin AUL (Athletic Union League) and in later years the
Counties League. We also enjoyed our games against Park Celtic and
Barrow Rovers which we approached with a friendly rivalry," recalled
Mick.
"Those
friendships have endured to .this day. We might only meet once a year
but the conversation will invariably turn to sport and local soccer," he
said
Back
Row:
Tommy
Flynn:
Usually played in defence but for some reason didn't tog out for this
photograph. He is a retired area manager from Eircom and has started up
his own company called Atlas Telecom. He is formerly from Offaly and is
living in Quinagh.
Billy
Ryan:
Originally from Dungarvan and came to work in Carlow taking up a variety
of jobs including a stint in The Nationalist. He returned to County
Waterford many years ago and is living in Dungarvan once more.
Oily
Hennessy:
He is musical director of the Rose of Tralee and also has a big input
into RTE's Jam the Musical which is screened annually. He has a high
profile in the music world at national level and has always offered
support for local groups. Played football with Eire 6g and is living in
Oak Park.
Paul
Haughney:
A talented goalkeeper known as Pablo from Graiguecullen he was a
character of the time. He was one of the first ever male flight
attendants employed by Aer Lingus but he only stayed a short time before
emigrating to New York where he was involved in the bar trade. He is
still in the States.
Mick
O'Sullivan:
The traditional centre back who was part and parcel of soccer in Carlow
for many years. He is a well known referee and is PRO in O'Hanrahan's
football club and is a former secretary of the club. Living in Oakley
Park.
Tommy
Sheridan:
Free running midfielder and who also was a noted runner. He is
originally from Strawhall, a carpenter by trade and is still living
locally.
Niall
Broughal:
Affectionately known as Bonsy and no matter what sport he participated
in he excelled at it. He had great ball control and scored many goals
for the club. He is an officer in the army and is stationed in the
midlands. He is a single handicap golfer now.
P.J.
Keating:
From Graiguecullen he didn't play soccer himself hut was the driving
force behind the Greenburrin club in the seventies. Worked tirelessly
with the youngsters and organised trips to France, England and around
Ireland. He was employed in Thompson's but eventually went to Kilkenny
where he worked as a social worker. Now he lives in Dublin and is
actively involved with the Make a Wish Foundation.
Front
Row:
Gerry Hutton: A useful winger and
formerly from St. Killian's Crescent he worked in psychiatric nursing
more or less from the time he left school and was based in Enniscorthy
before taking up a position in St. Dympna's in Carlow some years ago. He
has a passion for greyhounds and is living in Kellistown.
Gerry
O'Brien:
Superb footballer who also won senior football championship medals with
Eire 6g. He is formerly from Barrack Street but is now living in
Clonmel. Retired Ordinance Survey worker but is a keen golfer now.
John
Byrne:
Formerly from Castle Hill "Nipper" had tremendous ability and never
seemed to get flustered while in possession. He worked in The
Nationalist Office for many years but in later years with his wife,
Beatrice he is managing and running Lamberts Newsagent in Dublin Street.
Enjoys an occasional round of golf.
Christy
Lawler:
All round sportsman who won junior league and championship football
medals with Graiguecullen. Played soccer with a variety of soccer clubs
before a knee injury ended his career at Stretford United. Living in
Pollerton and works with Tesco.
Gerry
Keating:
Strong defender who lived in Riverside. He was also a keen tennis player
and in later years went on to become a prominent member of Sutton Tennis
Club. He is in the banking business in Dublin and also lives in the
Capital.
Source: Carlow
Nationalist 13th November 2009 p.25
Footnote:
“In 1964 a group of young lads passed the time kicking
ball in a field on the site where The Fairgreen Shopping Centre now
stands. Some of them decided to form a new soccer team and as a result
of their proximity to the Burrin River they called it Greenburrin.”
Paul Haughney Jan 2010
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© 2001 County Carlow
Genealogy IGP
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