The late Michael Fallon The death of Michael Fallon, St Ita's, Kilgrave, Ballinasloe marked the demise of one of the town's most respected citizens. The Dunmore man who came to his adopted town more than sixty years ago was one of the most unassuming and courteous gentlemen to have ever to Ballinasloe. He served the community in many facets, always in a quiet and dignified manner, enjoying his chores for the betterment of his many neighbours, friends and townspeople. Born in Dunmore in 1918 to James Fallon and Mary Reilly, he was the youngest of five children. He went to school in Ballinlass, a well-known football nursery. He left Dunmore in 1940 to join the Post Office as a temporary clerk in Cavan, where he was to make his name as a footballer with the Cavan Slashers, helping them to a county title in 1941. He was quickly promoted to the Cavan junior team and later to the senior team, helping them to win the Ulster final also in 1941. Later, Michael was transferred to the Post Office in Wicklow and while there he helped Rathnew to win county football titles in 1942 and 1943, thus completing an unique three-in-a-row of county titles between both counties. Michael's footballing skills won him a place in the Galway senior team who were narrowly beaten in the All Ireland final of 1942 by Dublin. But he had the distinction of scoring the opening and finals points of the game. He continued to play with Galway and was pitted against Cork's Jack Lynch, at midfield, in the All-Ireland semi-final of 1945. For four consecutive years he featured on the Connacht Railway Cup team who lost out in two finals. The late Michael Fallon came to work in the Ballinsloe Post Office and almost immediately helped his adopted town to win the county title in 1945, playing a pivital role in the final against Oughterard when he was opposed by his county team-mate Tom Sullivan. He had the distinction of having won senior provincial championship medals with Ulster (1) and Connacht (2) while he won county championship medals in Galway (1), Cavan (1) and Wicklow (2). While working in the Ballinasloe Post Office, he managed to win the hand of local beauty, Kathleen Aherne, the eldest of Mary Connaire and Michael Aherne's eight children (Mary's brother, Mick Connaire, won an All-Ireland football medal with Galway in 1938). Michael and Kathleen got married on June 6, 1949, with the reception in Hayden's Hotel. When Michael (or Mick as he was more popularly known), retired from football he seemed to carry this trait into everything he turned his hand to. Together with Kathleen they formed a powerful team, who worked selflessly to serve their family and community. Michael was for many years a tireless worker for the Ballinasloe Agricultural Show Society, serving as President, Secretary and Treasurer while engaging himself in charitable work with the Knights of St Columbanus. He was on the committee of the Emerald Ballroom and involved in several other committees and organisations in the town. Both he and Kathleen were the local co-ordinators for the Blood Transfusion Service when it first came to Ballinasloe many years ago. Michael Fallon always had time for everyone. He was a kind and helpful neighbour and was only too willing to lend a sympathetic ear to those in distress. He didn't speak that much, he believed in action rather than words. One of the quietest and most unassuming men you could meet, he was a true family man, always finding time to be with them. He loved the garden and the glasshouse, priding himself in producing top quality fruit and vegetable each year. He enjoyed travelling and both he and Kathleen took many trips to capitals in Europe, both as a couple and in the company of their families. Interested in all sports, he was a keen follower of Galway football and hurling and when he wasn't working at games in Duggan Park he travelled to many matches around the country in the company of Dermot Staunton, Pat McManus, Grellan Deeley and Paddy Feeney, all now sadly passed away, and Joe Rabbitte. His last trip to Croke Park was for the All Ireland football final in 2001, with is late brother-in-law Joe Brennan and was happy to see Michael Donnellan, from his old school in Ballinlass, help Galway to a great victory. The Dunmore footballer was thoughtful enough to come over the shake the hand of the former great when the victorious team arrived back in Ballinasloe the following day. The huge crowds that turned out for the removal of the remains, mass and burial bore testimony to the popularity of one of the town's finest gentleman. Colleagues from the local GAA club, Duggan Park Committee, Show Society and the Post Office formed a guard of honour as Michael's remains were taken from his home to Our Lady's of Lourdes Church, Creagh where, following Mass, the burial took place in the adjoining cemetery. The late Mr Fallon is predeceased by his eldest son James, who died in 1990 at the age of 39. He is survived by his wife Kathleen, son Dr. Michael (Cheshire), daughters Miriam Roche (Clonkeagh, Dublin), Ita Devine (Clane, Co. Kildare); daughters in law Mary Fallon (Cork), Katherine Fallon; sons in law John Roche and Martin Devine, grandchildren Molly, Michael, Joseph, James, Michael, James, Hannah as well as many other relatives and friends. -Ken Kelly Courtesy of The Connacht Tribune 13 April 2007 Tweet

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