Great Mayo team outsmarted by the legendary Paul McGrath in 1981 is feted
The members of the great Mayo team that reached the final of the Oscar Traynor Cup in 1981 have been feted.
They were presented with special mementos at yesterday's Oscar Traynor Cup final at Umbro Milebush Park, Castlebar, in which Mayo lost 4-2 to Waterford.
Pictured by Michael Donnelly (above), from left, are Charlie Davis, Barcastle, David Earls representing Greg Earls (captain) Castlebar Celtic; Donal Benson, Swinford/manager, Joe Lindsay, Shraigh United, Padraic Cresham Castlebar Celtic, Seamus McHugh Swinford; Mikey Nallen, Conn Rangers, Noel Walsh, Ballina Town, Leo Morahan, Castlebar Celtic; Brian Ainsworth, Castlebar Celtic, Frankie Gordon, Enniscrone, Michael McLoughlin Westport United, Luke Murray, Ballyhaunis and Fergus McEllin, Castlebar Celtic
The Mayo Football League has been a loyal supporter of the competition since its introduction in 1963 in honour of a former Minister for Justice and a noted goalkeeper who starred with Belfast Celtic from 1910 to 1912.
Traynor always rejected claims that soccer was 'a foreign sport', describing it as 'a Celtic game, pure and simple,' having its roots in Scotland. He was president of the FAI from 1948 up to his death in 1963.
Sadly, the series has never really captured the imagination of the sporting public, but it is loved by players as they get the opportunity to be selected and perform for their own counties and leagues.
It was a competition in which former Republic of Ireland and Manchester United legend Paul McGrath first gained prominence for his sublime skills and tackling prowess.
The Mayo soccer community should know that better that most because he played a central role in defeating Mayo 2-0 in the Oscar Traynor Cup final at the close of the 1980/81 season at the AIB Grounds, Dublin, as a member of the victorious Leinster Senior League side.
The defeat was a painful one for a Mayo team managed by Swinford's Donal Benson, but the disappointment was softened by the fact that McGrath had been influential in ending a memorable cup run.
Mayo began the campaign with a 4-1 win over Galway at Terryland Park before defeating the North Eastern League 2-1 at Celtic Park.
The most exhilarating match of the series was the 4-3 semi-final victory, after extra time, over Clare in Ennis.
The Mayo team of 1980/81 was a mixture of strength, resilience and courage, and deserved to have its name on the trophy.
But, like yesterday, it was not to be.
Pictured before the 1981 final against the Leinster Senior League is the Mayo squad.
At back, left to right, are: Joe Lindsay (Shraigh United), Noel Walsh (Ballina Town), Damien O'Hora (Ballina Town), Padraig Cresham (Castlebar Celtic), Luke Murray (Ballyhaunis), Mickey Nallen (Conn Rangers), Seamus McHugh (Swinford), Michael McLoughlin (Westport United) and manager Donal Benson.
At front: Brian Ainsworth (Castlebar Celtic), Charlie Davis (Barcastle), Greg Earls (Castlebar Celtic), Fergus McEllin (Castlebar Celtic), Lar Morahan (Castlebar Celtic), John Byrne (Swinford), Mickey Curran (Ballina Rovers) and Frankie Gordan (Enniscrone).
What a team.