Silver jubilee celebration for the 2001 Annaghdown footballers
Annaghdown captured their fifth title after a final win over Killererin
THE Galway Senior Football Championship winning Annaghdown team and management from 2001 will gather this weekend to celebrate the silver jubilee of that outstanding achievement.
Galway had just won the Sam Maguire Cup for a second time in four seasons, and there was a maroon and white theme at local level too as Annaghdown followed up previous successes in 1931, '82, '85 and '87 to capture the title for a fifth time in their history.
Though they started the championship far down the bookies odds, Annaghdown would finish it in a blaze of glory. Their route to the final involved a series of tight matches and went through Tuam Stars (0-9 to 0-7), NUI Galway (0-13 to 1-9) and Killannin (0-8 to 0-6) before defeating favourites Killererin in the final (1-7 to 0-8).
Champions two years earlier, Killererin were spearheaded by Padraic Joyce who took Meath defenders Mark O'Reilly and Darren Fay for 10 points in the All-Ireland final just six weeks earlier. He would account for all but one of his team's scores in their narrow loss.
Annaghdown scored no goal in their previous three championship outings, but they never trailed once man of the match Damien Burke's early penalty hit the net.
The Frank Broderick-managed side led by 1-3 to 0-5 at the break with Burke already on 1-2 and Patrick Joseph Fahy adding their other point.
Joyce landed all five points in reply and playing into the 'town goal' or 'scoring goal' for the second half, Killererin were denied a green flag when Tommie Joyce's penalty came back off the crossbar.
Michael Newell, Burke and sub John Mannion added Annaghdown points and through the gap stood at the minimum after Joyce and Pakie Mitchell scores, Fahy kicked the insurance score as the winners held firm in defence.
It was a final that attracted between 8,000 and 10,000 to Tuam Stadium and afterwards Adrian Fitzpatrick had the honour of lifting the Frank Fox Cup.
"Seldom, if ever, has an Annaghdown team played with such determination, character and skill in pursuit of victory," read the Annaghdown notes, written by club PRO Kenneth Leonard, for that week's Herald.
"Despite being rank outsiders in all four championship matches, the self-belief of the lads never wavered and they certainly reaped the rewards.
"Goalkeeper Padraic O'Neill was safety personified between the sticks, while the full-back line of Vinnie Small, captain Adrian Fitzpatrick and Martin O'Neill were magnificent throughout.
"Brian Qualter, Ronan Leonard and Paul Creaven formed a young, dynamic half-back line which repelled wave after wave of Killererin attacks.
"The Duggans [Matt and Morgan] at midfield were in top form with their high fielding, in particular, a joy to behold.
"Michael Melia and Damien Burke used their incredible speed and skill to great effect, and Shane Kavanagh's strength and guile was vital in the centre-forward role.
"The classy Mikey Newell won loads of possession at full-forward, while Carl Leonard and P.J. Fahy were excellent in the corners. Sub John Mannion made a huge impression when introduced, kicking a point from play.
"The 14 subs togged also played their part with many of them playing vital roles in earlier matches. As listed in the programme they were: Enda Cannon, Benny Newell, Noel Murphy, Liam O'Flynn, Gerry Forde, Dermot Naughton, Ronan Curry, Frank Broderick, Martin Duggan, John Killilea, Christy Burke, Patrick Murphy, Trevor Forde and Gerry Cahill.
"We must also salute the management team of Frank Broderick, Mattie Coleman and Gerry Forde for the wonderful job they have done in bringing this team to championship glory.
"After the match a cavalcade of over 100 cars travelled the length and breadth of the parish amidst scenes of unbridled joy.
"A fitting tribute to a fine team."