Sean Purcell - 'a kind and gentle man' A kind and gentle man ... so modest and unassuming. That was how his old friend and former team mate, Jack Mahon described him during an emotional eulogy at Tuam Cathedral yesterday. He said that he was a very privileged man to have known Sean Purcell and described him as one of the most outstanding footballers he had ever had the good fortune to play with. Jack Mahon played at centre back on the famous Galway team which won the 1956 All-Ireland title while Purcell was at centre forward. Many memories of there times together and incidents which occurred were recalled for the packed congregation. He said that they had been friends for life and he played behind him in all of Purcell's major triumphs and played on him in training over 300 times. "What better training could anyone get than playing on the greatest ever," remarked Jack. "Most of all, I am glad to represent the men of '56. Sean was like a guardian to us all. He called on Frank Stockwell everyday and for the past three years or more he called on me," he said. He adds: "We go back a long way as the Purcell family know. Back to 1945 in fact when I went to St. Jarlath's as a raw first year in short pants. Sean was the star footballer of that first ever Hogan Cup era. I grew to adore the ground he walked on and a smile from the great one made my day." Then he recalled the two great Hogan Cup finals of '46 and '47 against St. Patrick's College, Armagh. He described them as classics. "We couldn't believe it when Armagh with Iggy Jones and the Delvins beat us by one point in '46. But the second year, the boys in blue won by five points with Sean putting in one of his finest hours." "Kevin Heffernan never stops telling me about that display. He was as good then as he was for the remainder of his footballing career. The poise, the balance, the acceleration and his unique style of kicking were to be marvelled." "That time we had a different style of football. You got the ball, burst out with it and kicked it high and long. They called it catch and kick and it was up to the forwards to fight for possession." "Sean knew the trajectory of all of our kicks, be it Kissane, myself or Greatly and nine times out of10 he got possession," Jack Mahon recalled. One time against Roscommon, Jack remembered that he lost the run of himself and cut through midfield on a solo run. As he reached Sean, he had his back turned to him so Jack continued on. Eventually he passed to Cecil Canney, who came on as a sub and he shot narrowly wide. On the long run back Sean remarked to Jack: "It's the first time you ever did it, but will you please leave the forward play to me." Jack said that outside football, Sean Purcell was a kind and gentle man. So modest and unassuming. He recalled travelling to Tyrone with Sean in 1996. The county was celebrating the 40th anniversary since winning the first Ulster title in 1946. The MC interviewed them and Eddie Devlin was fulsome in his praise for Sean Purcell. SEan couldn't take it anymore and took the microphone. Sean said: "Once upon a time, they persuaded me to stand in a General Election for Fine Gael. It was the time of John Donnellan's greatest election triumph and it was felt that John surplus would pull me in." "I was poor electioneer and got a small enough vote. John's surplus saved my deposit if not my pride. So I had to endure a painfully long evening waiting for the result to be announced." "Then just as I was getting onto the stage I was approached by this woman, who was full of the Donnellan euphoria, and she said to me, 'Sean it is an awful pity you didn't play a bit of football'." Jack Mahon said that was so typical of the modesty of the man. Courtesy of the Connacht Tribune September 2005 Tweet

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