3 September 1997
By Tom Kelly
An All-Ireland senior football final replay could sideline the honeymoon plans of Mayo midfield supremo Pat Fallon.
The Balla ace, named man of the match following the county's six-points penultimate round victory over Offaly at Croke Park on Sunday, is due to marry Castlebar girl Áine Martin on Saturday, October 4th. But the Galway-based couple will be forced to postpone their honeymoon if Mayo's All-Ireland final clash against Kerry ends in a draw six days earlier.
Sunday, October 13th, has been pencilled in by the G.A.A. authorities as the date for a possible replay.
Fallon met his bride-to-be over seven years ago when they were both studying at University College Galway.They maintained close contact after Áine took up a position with the United Nations in Geneva, with Pat making several trips to Switzerland to visit her. Áine subsequently returned to Galway after being appointed to the personnel staff of University College Hospital and Pat proposed to her earlier this year.
Members of the Mayo team have been invited to attend the nuptial ceremony, including manager John Maughan and his wife, Audrey.
Pat Fallon, a Bank of Ireland employee, is a son of Tom and Bernie Fallon, proprietors of the Post Office in Balla. Tom Fallon played gaelic football with St. Jarlath's College, Tuam, and also turned out for Balla G.A.A. Club in his youth.
Áine is a daughter of Benny and Marian Martin, Rathbawn Road, Castlebar. Áine's grandfather, Paddy Hendry, played with distinction for Ballina Stephenites back in the thirties and forties and also won a Connaught championship medal in the Mayo colours.
Family members are keeping their fingers crossed that the popular couple will be drinking champagne from the new Sam Maguire Cup at their wedding breakfast.
