Padraig Brogan, Kobe and Mayo GAA looking forward

by Dr. Richard Martin

I know Padraig Brogan.

He has become an almost mythical figure in the landscape of Mayo football.

A Mayo version of Syd Barrett or Obi-Wan Kenobi, his legend has passed down through the generations.

There isn’t a lot of footage of him playing. The famous goal against Dublin in 1985 aside, there isn’t a lot to go on.

But the facts remain. The statistics don’t lie. Twelve sublime points in the 1983 county final against Moy Davitts. At a tender 18 years of age.

Five more county titles were to follow along with two club provincial titles over the next 14 years.

The All-Ireland final in 1997 was the last day he laced his boots.

Appropriately, fittingly, in Croke Park.

There are some that sigh and shake their heads at the what ifs and wasted potential.

His club medal haul suggests otherwise. Brogan delivered for Knockmore in spades.

If Mayo didn’t get that return over that time period, well then perhaps Mayo was the problem.

It will never be known why John Maughan didn’t have him on board in 1996.

What a substitute he would have made in the closing stretches.

The crowd would’ve roared at his introduction and his ability and talent would’ve steadied the ship and pushed us for home. Another what if. Not Brogan’s fault.

I went to the recent county semi-final in Crossmolina with Declan Dempsey. Knockmore versus Ballina. Ballina won handy.

The game never got going. At half time, we were talking and Declan reminisced about his own playing days.

He has three county titles in his back pocket. The 1996 county final was held in St. Tiernan’s Park in Crossmolina. Ballina versus Knockmore.

Ballina were in control. Four points up. Home and hosed. Knockmore got a free near the side line beside the stand. Some 60 yards as the crow flies. Declan pointed to the spot. One of the Knockmore lads went to kick it. Brogan told him to hold up. Leave it down.

Some Ballina supporters near him gave him dogs abuse. Not very nice comments. Brogan paid no heed. Placed the ball on the ground. A clean strike over the bar and a roar from the Knockmore faithful. After it went over he turned to the few bucks yahooing at him and flashed a grin.

The fightback was on. The forwards responded. And the momentum swung. Knockmore prevailed by two points. 1-10 to 1-8.

Declan Dempsey isn’t given to hyperbole or fiction. This is how the legend of Brogan lives on. The old-fashioned oral tradition.

How good was he I often ask? The answer is always the same.

Declan’s son Aidan is an outstanding young prospect with the Mitchels. And why wouldn’t he be?

He has the bloodlines. And he has the Mitchels jersey on his back. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. If he stays focused the county town and county have something very special on their hands.

Conor Hoban from Ballintubber is another massive prospect. The players are there, they just need to be nurtured carefully from age 16 to age 20.

If we get that side right we won’t be long winning the big one. That’s the big challenge.

Later that same day I went to Charlestown. The place was packed. Double the crowd. This was a contest. Crossmolina versus Westport. Kobe versus Keegan.

The young pretender versus the old warrior. Championship football is a sacred place.

It was a still evening with no wind in sight. No rain either. A flag didn’t flutter for the evening.

As the autumn evening chill set in and chimney smoke from the adjoining housing estates swirled and whirled over the ground we were treated to a classic.

It was going to take something very special to produce a winner. And it was going to come from the unlikeliest of places.

Kevin Keane was introduced as a sub in extra time. With his first possession he took a shot with his right foot. The crowd groaned as he made contact. Some ducked.

He nearly took the roof off Gerry Murray's pub below in the town. Soon after, he got a second possession, and the Westport contingent must’ve prayed he didn’t attempt another one.

As he braced to kick the whole ground took a deep breath. Some closed their eyes. And ducked.

This time he went with his left foot. The contact was good. A beautiful arching, curling point accompanied by a gut curdling roar.

The crowd went mad. He kicked another beauty shortly after. With his left.

Game over. You couldn’t write the script but I just did.

What is there to say about Kobe McDonald? Ten glorious points. Fielding. Athleticism. Free taking from placed balls. Electric pace. He took a free off the ground outside the 45’ hugging the touchline. Sixty yards from goal.

Declan Dempsey’s earlier anecdote flashed through my mind as he lined up to strike. It went over with plenty to spare. That did happen. I saw it.

Like Brogan, he is a once off generational talent.

I never saw Brogan or Henry Gavin play. Their abilities, talent and deeds are part of urban legend. I’ve asked my uncle John Kelly umpteen times about Henry Gavin. How good was he? Really? He just shakes the head and with head bowed keeps it short and sweet.

He was serious. All the older stock speak of him in reverential tones. But, unfortunately, I never saw him with my own eyes.

I can say I saw Kobe. It’s not myth or urban legend. He really is that good.

Kobe has decided to pursue a career in professional sport after signing for Australian AFL club, St. Kilda FC, Melbourne.

He will join them after his Leaving Cert. exams next summer as a ‘category B rookie.’

He will leave with the best wishes of the Mayo faithful ringing in his ears. . .and rightly so.

Kobe will have good games, bad games and middling games. And he will now to be given the space and time to fulfil his potential.

Ballina eventually prevailed in the county final replay. A point at the death. Ten points down with 15 minutes to go. They scored 2-6 in the last quarter to capture the Moclair Cup.

It’s tough on Westport.

They had it in their hands and let it slip.

I’ve been following them all through the championship. The game against Breaffy was outstanding. They played with passion and heart. Sometimes football isn’t fair.

They were hard done by with the disallowed goal in the drawn final. It happened right in front of me, and there wasn’t an awful lot wrong with it.

Keegan was the big loss. A clumsy challenge took him out of it in the drawn final. A mile high and an hour late. If he was playing the second day he would’ve steadied the ship in the closing minutes.

Taken possession, made the right decisions and steered the ship through troubled waters. Alas, he was injured.

They play football the right way. Pat Holmes is the manager. An honest football man. And clever. His son Joey is another prospect. He was outstanding this season.

If this Westport group stay together, they have the ability to go all the way next year and make a serious dint at the provincial series.

The darkest hour is before the dawn.

And in the end Ballina did it. They showed mettle, fire and determination.

The best team always wins and when the game reached the clutch and every breaking ball was there to be won, Ballina came out on top.

Maith sibh. It takes a very special team to win three in a row.

And what of the Mitchels? Honestly, right now, they’re light years away from that kind of combat. They may have been unlucky not to come out of the group, but it may have been for the best.

It’s a winter of discontent but also a winter that gives time and space to reflect.

There’s nothing wrong with the management. I know Kevin Filan for over 20 years. He’s a shrewd football man.

Kevin Filan and company can coach and pick a team. There’s nothing wrong with the side line.

The players themselves have to ask themselves how much do they want this? Are we prepared to commit?

If the players don’t drive the process then nothing fruitful can materialise.

This winter is a chance to regroup and reflect. Change begins with honesty. That’s the place to start.

Beating Belmullet by over 20 points in a league game and then being blown out of it a few months later at home against Belmullet in the championship isn’t acceptable.

Championship football is a sacred place.

The nature of serious championship football now with the new two point rule is that contests can switch momentum several times in a game.

Winning teams need to have a huge reservoir of mental stamina and toughness. Right now Ballina are the benchmark. The Mitchels are miles off that.

The Mitchels is like no other club in the county and province.

It has huge playing numbers and massive revenue streams.

The club AGM will be held later this winter.

Whatever issues there are need to be resolved.

For my part, Kieran Lavelle is the current chairman. I support him.

I think if he’s given the time and space he will drive the club forward. He already has.

He played a crucial hands on role in organising the Connacht rugby game with Pat Rowland from Elverys Sports.

The club focus should be on becoming a consistent winning team at county level and building a base from which they can challenge for provincial and All-Ireland honours like Corofin.

A major rugby game was held in MacHale Park earlier this year. That was ground-breaking. What about a big music concert?

The Mitchels needs to buy land and develop pitches for the here and now and future generations. Between football and hurling, nen’s teams and women’s teams, the Sportlann complex is too small. We need a greenfield site, exclusively for club use.

Meanwhile, looking over at county level, Mayo have new management and new hope.

The dream lives on.