Glory days of Castlebar Celtic
IT is now 28 years since the official opening of new Castlebar Celtic clubhouse at Celtic Park, Castlebar, writes Tom Gillespie. The ceremony took pace on August 11, 1990, and was followed by a senior challenge game between Castlebar Celtic and League of Ireland legends Shamrock Rovers.
A booklet was published for the occasion and was edited by my Connaught Telegraph colleagues, Johnny Mee and Tom Kelly.
The booklet paid special tribute to two Castlebar Celtic stalwarts - Hughie McGartland, a barber of Castle Street, and Chas Guthrie, MacHale Road.
The tributes read: "Those interested in soccer just called him ‘Hughie’. For close on 50 years Hughie McGartland was an integral part of Castlebar Celtic - player, club secretary, fundraiser.
“He came to Castlebar from Omagh, Co. Tyrone, as a young man and immediately became involved in Castlebar Celtic.
"The club was very much part of his life. He loved Celtic and all those associated with it. He had a great knowledge of soccer and had an uncanny ability to get the best out of players. He knew their form, their strengths and weaknesses.
"He was part of many of Celtic’s glory years and savoured some of their greatest victories.
"So long as soccer is played in Castlebar, Hughie will be remembered with pride and affection. He was a great Celt.
"Chas Guthrie first became involved with Castlebar Celtic as a minor player. He joined the Army at the outbreak of World War II and after he was demobbed in 1945, he became one of Celtic’s leading officials. He was a great fundraiser and many vividly recall his efforts in this respect for Celtic during his time as treasurer.
"Chas was one of the men responsible for the purchase of Celtic Park and up to the time of his death he maintained close links with Celtic.
"His many friends will recall his great work for the cub over the years. Chas was a dedicated Celtic man."
Chas was actively involved in the Organisation of Ex-Servicemen and Women (O.N.E.) and was secretary of the local branch. He also served on the national council of the association for a number of years.
Another loyal fan of Castlebar Celtic back in 1990 was Larry Burke from The Fairgreen in the town. The booklet recalled that he had been a loyal Celtic fan for over 60 years. In his 81st year by then (1990), he has a great treasury of memories, of great games he has seen and many famous players who donned the green and white of Castlebar Celtic.
He recalled Tommy Kilfeather, Charley Hanley, Tommy Leonard and Tommy McDonald playing against Westport back in 1926.
Down the years he had shared in the ups and downs of Castlebar Celtic, witnessed major changes in the game and seen most of the outstanding payers that ever laced a boot in Mayo.
Larry had a reservoir of happy memories, kept old photographs of Castlebar teams and loved to talk about the days gone by.
He was frequently asked what he considered the greatest Celtic team of all. He said: "It would be difficult to choose between some of the great goalkeepers Castlebar Celtic had, but Padraig Cresham and Andy Redmond immediately come to mind."
And then he named outstanding players like Joe Feeney, Christy Cresham, Frank Roach, Lar Morahan, Greg Earles, Joe McCormack and Brian Ainsworth.
In an interview, Larry said the game was much faster in 1990.
His greatest soccer thrill was in 1947 when Celtic won the Connaught Junior Cup for the first time.
Larry said: "They beat Galway Rovers 1-nil in Maryland despite the fact that Celtic goalkeeper Sean Boyle had to retire in the second half with an injury."
Larry had many other happy memories. He remembered when Celtic played Quay Hearts and Mikie Guthrie would dive into the sea to retrieve a ball.
"I often made cups of Bovril for the players when matches were played in the Fairgreen," he further recalled.
The then club chairman, Philip Cresham, wrote: "It gives me great pleasure, as chairman of Castlebar Celtic FC, to observe one of our most cherished dreams fulfilled.
"The opening of the fully-equipped clubhouse at Celtic Park represents the culmination of many years of planning. It is little over a year since work started on the building, but the essential fundraising work began long before then.
"The project has taken a great deal of dedication and hard work. But it was a task to which we proved equal, and the result of our labours are there for all to see.
"Perhaps I can be forgiven if I mention a few of those associated with the project, particularly Tom McDaniels, Ray Quinn, Andy Redmond and others who gave of their all to ensure the clubhouse was built to the highest standards.
"They gave of their time and talents, day in, day out, working on the clubhouse. Obstacles had to be overcome, but their spirit never flagged. Their wives and families deserve thanks for their patience and understanding.
"Today we salute all those who kept the Castlebar Celtic flag flying over the years, often in difficult times. The new clubhouse stands as a monument to their foresight and dedication.
"I also extend a special word of thanks to Mr. Padraig Flynn, Minster for the Environment, and Mr. Pat Quigley, a member of the FAI Senior Executive, for their special assistance and support, as well as to all our sponsors, and all those who supported our fundraising efforts."
Mr. Quigley, chairman, Connaught FA, wrote: "Castlerbar Celtic can walk tall. Their magnificent facilities stand as an example to every club in the province to follow.
"But they were not provided without dedication, determination and sacrifices. Now the completion of their clubhouse is the jewel in their crown.
"Clubs throughout the province love to come and play at Celtic Park. The experience will be extra special in the future."
For the record, the Castlebar Celtic team that lined out that day was: Padraig Cresham, Noel Gavin, Barry Redmond, Charlie Davis, Michael Moran, Liam Ralph, Bobby Feeney, Pat Neary, Fergus McEllin, Kevin Ryan, Brian Ainsworth, Tom Healy, Kevin Fadden, Nigel Jennings and Gerry Walsh.
* Read Tom Gillespie's County Town column every Tuesday in our print edition