The Galbally Minor Team for 2018 will enter the Premier Grade under the management of Mike McCabe, Kieran Hickey, Declan Hickey, Gary McCarthy and Declan Browne. There are home fixtures against St Kierans, Rathkeale and Monaleen and away fixtures against Ahane, Mungret, Claughaun and Fr Caseys. The competition will commence on Friday 6th April 2018.

Fifty years ago in 1968, the then Galbally Junior Football side won the County Junior Football Championship, beating Rathkeale in the final by 1-6 to 1-3. There was no Intermediate grade for the Junior Champions meaning that they were promoted to the Senior grade. Bolstered by a couple of new recruits, they reached the County Senior Football Final in 1969 where they lost to a strong Claughaun side. The Galbally Junior Footballers had spent some time in the doldrums and in the early to mid-1960s, they were unable to field a team meaning that some players represented other clubs. The 1968 team was backboned by some seasoned players such as the Henebry brothers and Ned Sampson, along with a number of underage players who emerged from the Galbally Minor team of 1963 who were beaten county finalists and the Under 16 and Minor teams of 1965 who were both County Champions.

 

The transfer of Abbeyfeale native Sergeant Pat Fitzgerald to the locality was instrumental in terms of his contribution as a player and a trainer. For the record, the squad was: Bob Fitzgerald, Bill Henebry, Ned Sampson (Capt), Tommy Henebry, Noel Hedigan, Jim O'Donnell, Lar Henebry, Pat Fitzgerald, Connie Bourke, John Sheehan, Mike English, John Frazer, Denis Wallace, Mike Henebry, John Hedigan. Subs: Billy Noonan, Maurice Corbett, Bill McEniry, Tom Hanrahan, Roger O'Donnell, Billy Bourke. The Manager was the late Jimmy Morrissey, father to Seamie, Liam and Johnny Morrissey all of whom wore both the Galbally and Limerick jersey. He was grandfather to the promising Jamie Morrissey who has also worn both the Galbally and Limerick jersey and who has the heritage and DNA to shine in the Galbally jersey for many years to come.

 

 

 

Attached Photograph: 1968 Junior Champions

 

The Galbally Junior Football team that beat St Marys to win the 1968 County Junior Football Final.

 

Back Row (L-R): Jimmy Morrissey, Sergeant Pat Fitzgerald, Connie Bourke, Roger O'Donnell, Bill Henebry, Noel Hedigan, Tommy Henebry, Michael English, John Hedigan, Lar Henebry, Unknown Mascot.

 

Front Row (L-R): Mike Henebry, Jim O'Donnell, Bob Fitzgerald, John Frazer, Jack Sheehan, Ned Sampson, Denis Wallace, Tom Hanrahan, Billy Bourke.

Tweet

Most Read Stories