Mayo GAA is mourning the death of former midfield maestro Eamon Mongey who was a key member of the 1950-51 All-Ireland football winning sides. The Castlebar native, who was 82, also won four successive Connacht medals between 1948 and '51, and played in the 1948 All-Ireland final which Mayo lost to Cavan. He was vice-captain to Sean Flanagan when Mayo defeated Louth and Meath respectively to win back-to-back Sam Maguire Cups in 1950 and '51. Eamon played for Castlebar Mitchels along with his brothers, the late Billy and Finn, and he made his Mayo senior debut at just 16. As well as achieving provincial and All-Ireland success, he won two National League medals and numerous county championships with Castlebar. He retired from football in 1955 following Mayo's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Dublin. The Mayo legend also played club football with Civil Service after moving to the capital, where he worked as registrar in the High Court. He also wrote a very popular sports column in the Sunday Press for 25 years. Paying tribute to Eamon, Mayo manager John O'Mahony described him as an "exceptional leader" and a "deep thinker" in the game. He said he was honoured when Eamon wrote to him wishing him luck following his appointment as Mayo manager last year. Tweet

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