Referee’s 1951 All-Ireland medal proved a lucky charm for Mayo
A treasured All-Ireland medal worn on a charm bracelet may have brought a touch of luck to Mayo as they ended their long wait for renewed Sam Maguire glory.
The medal belonged to legendary Laois footballer, referee and GAA administrator Bill Delaney, who received it after refereeing the 1951 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final, when Mayo defeated Meath.
His daughter, Stradbally native Margaret McEvoy, brought the heirloom to Mayo during the county’s latest All-Ireland campaign, hoping it might bring some luck to a county with which she has close family connections.
Her husband Colman’s sister, Una, is married to Castlebar man Ger Sheridan.
Along with husband Colman, Margaret attended the wedding in July of Una and Ger’s son, Ciaran, to Darina Kenny.
Margaret wore her cherished charm bracelet, which included an extraordinary collection of medals - among them her father’s 1951 All-Ireland referees’ medal and a Leinster minor medal won by her husband, Colman.
The bracelet soon became a talking point among the wedding guests, its presence drawing particular attention when many left the Grace Hotel to gather around the television and watch the match.
Gerry Gallagher, who attended the wedding with his wife, Valerie, recalls the fascination and curiosity it created.
“Everybody wanted to see the charm bracelet and attached medals. It was a beautiful collection.
“When Mayo won, everybody was thanking Margaret, suggesting the medal had brought the county luck.
“The charm bracelet certainly stood out on her wrist, was much admired and was a popular topic of conversation.”
Margaret was reluctant to claim the medal had any influence on Mayo’s fortunes, but she was happy to entertain the idea.
“Maybe its presence helped take some of the sting out of the supposed curse,” she laughed.
There is another remarkable personal connection between Delaney and Mayo - Bill played for Laois in the 1936 All-Ireland final, when Mayo claimed their first senior title.
Fifteen years later, he took charge of the 1951 final that delivered Mayo their third - and, until this year, most recent - All-Ireland triumph.
Bill, who died in 2000 aged 85, enjoyed an extraordinary career.
Regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest Gaelic footballers, he won four Leinster senior titles before becoming a top-level referee, taking charge of two All-Ireland finals.
He also served on GAA Central Council for 40 years.
The Leinster Senior Football Championship trophy, the Delaney Cup, was later named in his honour.
Against that remarkable backdrop, Margaret’s decision to bring her father’s medal to Mayo carried special significance.
“I wanted the medal to bring Mayo some luck," she confided.
“I would like to think it did so.”
In a nod to her late, much loved father, Margaret said: “I think Dad would have approved of me wearing the medal to Mayo. I know he always had great regard for the county, its GAA footballers and its people."