Where are they now?
April 30, 2010While Westmeath's famous All-Ireland minor football triumph in 1995 was the catalyst for a decade of unprecedented success which included winning the All-Ireland under 21 title in 1999 and the Leinster senior championship in 2004, it's disappointing to note that most of that all-conquering minor team didn't make the step-up to senior level and are unlikely to do so at this stage.
Of the team that started the 1-10 to 0-11 All-Ireland final victory over Derry, only Fergal Murray, Aidan Lennon, Tom Stuart-Trainor and team captain Damien Gavin won Leinster senior championship medals nine years later as unused substitutes. Murray and Shane Deering were key members of the 1999 All-Ireland under 21 winning team, but Deering's involvement with the seniors was limited after that.
Others such as Kenny McKinley, John Deehan, Tommy Cleary, Cathal Keane and David Martin also made fleeting appearances for the seniors, but failed to establish themselves as regulars.
So where are the 1995 minors now? Let's take a look:
Aidan Lennon: After keeping clean sheets in the last three games of the '95 campaign, Lennon captained the under 21 side that exited the Leinster under 21 championship at the first round stage in '98. He subsequently graduated to the senior team and was first choice 'keeper for a couple of seasons before losing his place to Gary Connaughton after the 2004 O'Byrne Cup campaign. However, he still picked up a Leinster medal that year as understudy to the Tubberclair man.
Still playing midfield for his club St. Joseph's, Aidan was involved in the Westmeath ladies football management set-up along with his former county colleague Dermot Brady last year.
Damien Phelan: An inspirational figure in '95, the pint-sized corner back's lack of inches was always going to count against him in his bid to make the senior set-up, and so it proved. He won a senior championship medal with Moate in 1997 and is still a regular for the All-Whites. Was last seen on our TV screens standing next to Kerry captain Darran O'Sullivan when he was presented with the Sam Maguire Cup in Croke Park last September!
Kevin Hickey: The Shandonagh clubman's curbing of Derry dangerman Joe Cassidy was central to Westmeath's All-Ireland success. He was tipped to be a future senior full back, but disappeared off the inter-county scene after featuring for the under 21 and junior sides. He has been a solid performer for his club down the years and is currently Shandonagh's physical trainer.
Fergal Murray: An intelligent player who pocketed All-Ireland minor and under 21 medals, Murray was a regular on the county senior team from 1998 to 2004. But he lost his place soon after Paidi O Se's arrival in the Lake County, having to be content with a place on the subs' bench during the successful 2004 Leinster campaign. Another pocket-rocket, Murray's lack of physique may not have been to O Se's liking and he hasn't figured for his county since.
Still going strong for Athlone, Murray's only success thus far with the Shannonsiders is a senior championship medal won in 1998.
Martin Murtagh: The Downs clubman was a no-nonsense and consistent half back on the '95 team. He missed the 1998 under 21 clash with Dublin due to suspension and failed to make the breakthrough to the senior team thereafter. Murtagh later moved to London where he played in a county final for Tara. He is now back living in The Downs, having been away for their 2003 and 2005 championship successes, and isn't involved in the game at the moment.
Kenny McKinley: A classy performer who was in and out of the senior team for a few years after '95, McKinley's career has been dogged by injury problems. He still managed to have a long club career, however, and captained St. Loman's to their first county final appearance in 41 years last year. Kenny managed the Westmeath ladies team for a couple of years and is now in charge of Loughnavalley, where he is domiciled. Officially retired from playing, one wouldn't be surprised to see him back in the St. Loman's colours before the year is out.
Shane Deering: Like Fergal Murray, Deering had the distinction of figuring on both All-Ireland winning minor and under 21 teams. Deering's all-action style, lung-bursting solo-runs and fearless tackling endeared him to the Westmeath faithful. After returning from a lengthy break to star in the '99 under 21 success, The Downs man appeared to have the GAA world at his feet, but his involvement with the seniors sadly proved to be short-lived.
Shane captained The Downs to their first senior championship success in 23 years in 2003. He has been concentrating on his rugby career in recent years, but is back training with The Downs ahead of the 2010 championship campaign.
Damien Gavin: The man who held the Tom Markham Cup aloft on September 17 1995, Gavin has since represented his county at all levels. Within two years, he was partnering Jack Cooney at midfield on the senior team, but his lack of height for his preferred position saw him used in a variety of positions, eventually ending up at full back in 2003.
Another one to lose his place following Paidi O Se's arrival, Gavin was nonetheless an important member of the 2004 Leinster winning squad. His finest moment in a senior jersey was undoubtedly his fisted winning point in extra-time against Mayo in the 2001 All-Ireland qualifier at a heaving Hyde Park. Damien continues to play for his beloved St. Mary's and clearly has his sights set on a career in management after guiding Clann Bhraonain to a minor championship success last year.
Joe Casey: As strong as an ox, Casey put Castledaly on the map after his two magnificent second half points against Derry tipped the All-Ireland final in Westmeath's favour. Also a member of the Westmeath under 21 squad that reached the Leinster final in '95, Joe went on to play for the under 21s in '97 and '98, but injuries were already taking their toll by then and what a great pity it was that he never played senior football for his county.
Joe's brothers Russell and JP were part of the 2004 Leinster winning party, however.
John Deehan: Along with Fergal Murray and Shane Deering, Deehan was eligible for the minor grade again in '96 and captained the team which was unlucky not to win back-to-back Leinster titles. He claimed a senior championship medal with Moate in '97 and scored a goal for the Westmeath seniors against Longford in the 1998 Leinster championship. John was expected to be a key figure for the county under 21s in '99, but suffered a dramatic dip in form, from which he never really recovered. Hasn't figured at club or county level in recent years.
Tommy Cleary: Man of the match in the '95 final with a tally of 1-5, Cleary quickly graduated to the senior team and accounted for all but one of Westmeath's scores in their drawn Leinster championship clash with Offaly in 1997. Had faded from the scene by the time Luke Dempsey became senior manager at the tail end of 2000 and was a notable absentee from the 2004 squad, despite returning from St. Vincent's in Dublin to play a starring role for The Downs in their county championship success the previous year.
Made a brief comeback for the county seniors in 2008 before being struck by injury. 'Tosh' has recently undergone ankle and back operations, but is hoping to play for The Downs this year. Will be involved regardless as a selector.
Tom Stuart-Trainor: The Athlone clubman made a huge contribution to the '95 success, scoring two goals in the first Leinster final replay against Laois and a superb point at a critical stage in the All-Ireland final. He won a senior championship winner with Athlone in '98 before turning his attention to a rugby career with Buncaneers. His return to the inter-county scene coincided with the 2004 Leinster success and Tom continues to line out for Athlone.
David Martin: A free-scoring forward in '95, Martin represented his county at under 21 and senior level afterwards, but never quite managed to nail down a regular starting spot on the senior team. After many barren years with his club Maryland, he enjoyed great success in 2008 when captaining them to win 'Celebrity Bainisteoir' and also starred in their long overdue intermediate championship success. Skippered the Drumraney outfit to a surprise senior championship quarter-final appearance last year.
Cathal Keane: An older brother of recently-retired double All-Star corner back John, Cathal came up with many important scores during the '95 campaign. His low centre of gravity and terrific turn of pace made him a difficult player to mark and he was Rosemount's top scorer over many seasons. Keane started the 1998 Leinster championship campaign against Carlow, but hardly figured for the seniors after that.
Cathal retired from club football a couple of years ago, but is said to be making a comeback this year.
Keith Glennon: The scorer of the crucial goal which finally broke Laois' resistance in the Leinster final second replay, this livewire attacker from St. Loman's quickly disappeared off the football radar after '95. His younger brother Gary was wing back on Westmeath's last Leinster minor championship winning team in 2000 and has been involved with the county seniors in recent years. Tweet
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