Cortoon GAA book celebrates 125 years of sporting history — launch will gather famous names

THE launch of the book Half a Parish â€â€œ A Complete Club on Saturday night at 8 oâ€â„¢clock at Tuamâ€â„¢s ÃÂrd Rí House Hotel, will mark more than just 125 years of Cortoon GAA Club as the publication is, to some extent, a social history of the area, Cortoon Shamrocks GAA Club was founded in 1888 and is one of the oldest sports clubs in Co Galway. To mark this significant milestone, members of the club have compiled this detailed history of the sporting side of this half parish. The title reflects the identity of Cortoon, it is a half parish of Tuam. But while it is a much less populous area the club still has been able to compete, and sometimes beat, its near neighbours and rivals on the playing fields over the years. While essentially a sports history this is a book that is also interspersed with other interesting anecdotes, many of them humorous, and it is peppered with interesting newspaper cuttings and advertisements of many Cortoon community events over the years, which add variety to the pages. One would not immediately identify Galway All-Ireland hurlers Pete Finnerty and Joe McDonagh with Cortoon, but both of them have played with the club. They have both written interesting stories on their experiences playing with the bigger ball. Joe was born in the area as his late mother was from Lavally and it was after his inter-county hurling days were over that he started playing football with Cortoon. Double All-Ireland winner Pete got involved with Cortoon after the family came to live at Bermingham Road and all the Finnerty children play football with Cortoon. The book will be launched by one of those famous former Cortoon players and past President of the GAA, Joe McDonagh. As part of the launch, there will be an exhibition of photographs and club memorabilia along with a selection of club jerseys, past and present. Among the many highlights are personal contributions from other well known players including Galway stars Derek Savage, Tommy Joe Gilmore, Emer Flaherty and Edel Concannon. â€Å“The club to me epitomises all the endearing characteristics of the quintessential rural GAA club, from the sense of belonging, the indomitable community spirit, and the pride and passion of the supporters,â€Â says Derek Savage, a Galway All Star in 2000 and an All Ireland winner in 1998 and 2001 â€Å“The Cortoon club made me and one should always be proud of the club no matter where you play or at what level,â€Â says Tommy Joe Gilmore, who apart from being a Cortoon player and manager, was also a Galway All Star in 1972 and 1973 and a National League winner with Galway in 1981. He also played in three All-Ireland finals with Galway during the 1970s and was a sub on the county team in 1983. Situated within the boundaries of Tuam parish, and bordered by seven clubs, Cortoon has had to overcome many obstacles in order to survive. From winning their first trophy in 1945, a Galway North Board Junior title, to winning the Senior League in 2009, the club has come a long way. Unlike some parish publications this one has no advertisements and all its 247 pages are packed full of stories, and countless photographs regarding the clubâ€â„¢s progress over a century and a quarter from small beginnings to the county stars that it has produced and its current status of fielding ten teams from under-age to senior level. Admission to the book launch on Saturday night is free and Chairman Mark Gilmore says it should be a great occasion not alone for Cortoon people but for anyone whose ancestors came from the area or who has been connected in any way with the club over the years. â€â€ TG