Josie Munnelly
'a colossus of a man'



Connaught Telegraph 12 June1996


By Johnny Mulvey

It would be no exaggeration to say that throughout a football career of nearly thirty years, Josie Munnelly, strode like a colossus, although a very modest colossus.

As a footballer, he was a man apart, but one who never lost the common touch.

Victory came to him at an early age when as a young lad of 16 he helped Crossmolina win the county junior championship against Balla in 1932. He wore his first county jersey as a Mayo minor when Mayo lost to a Kerry minor team going for the 3rd title in-a-row in 1933.

By early 1934 he had been promoted to centre half forward on the Mayo senior panel, just in time to win the county's first National League Title. He went on to win the 1935 and 36 National leagues in the same position (no 11). Three more national league medals came his way in 1937, 38 and 39 at right corner forward, and in 1941, showing his versatility to play in any position, he won his 7th national medal playing at full forward.

It was as a wearer of the number 13 shirt that he was best known, and in that position he won his senior All Ireland medal in 1936, two Railway Cups medals in 1937 and 38 and four Connaught championship medals in 35, 36, 37 and 39.

He had come to reside in Castlebar and work in St Mary's Hospital by the time he won his All Ireland medal and was destined to win 12 county championship medals between 1941 and 1956, the last of them against Crossmolina.

He also played on the losing side in the county finals of 1938, 39, 40 and 47- surely a record that is unlikely to be equalled by any other player in any other county.

Perhaps his greatest achievement was the winning of an All-Ireland junior medal at the age of 43 and in the twilight of his career. He was a fitness fanatic and would probably have achieved greatness in any sport. A maestro with an educated left foot and a style that was admired, even by his opponents.

He maintained an active interest in football throughout a protracted illness that was patiently borne.

Our deepest sympathy to his family and his many admirers.

Josie Munnelly is dead, but the legend will live forever

By G.A.A. Reporter: John Melvin

Few become legends in their own lifetime. Josie Munnelly was one of the exceptions. But then, Josie Munnelly was an exceptional man. A winner of a 1936 All Ireland senior medal with Mayo, he graced the playing fields all of 21 years later to claim a junior All Ireland medal at the age of 43. His football career at club and county level was nothing short of phenomenal.

His exploits with Mayo, and with Castlebar Mitchels are legendary. He was a member of the history making national League side which put seven titles back-to-back between 1934-1941; at the age of 16 he won his first county junior medal playing for his native Crossmolina against Balla; he won the first of seven national league medals in 1934; four Connaught senior championship medals 35, 36, 37 an 39 and went on to claim twelve county senior championship medals with Castlebar Mitchels between 1941 and 1956.

Of course, there was Josie the footballer, and Josie the man. He loved his football and he loved life too, enjoying both in full health until his unfortunate illness, which he bore with great fortitude. He fought his illness as hard as he had fought on the playing field, to the very end and once again one his greatest virtues, never giving up without a fight, kept him alive when a lesser man would have capitulated having been confined to a wheelchair.

He was a man of few words, but his passion for football knew no bounds and some of the stories of him cycling or walking long distances to matches are part of the legend that is Josie Munnelly.

He was a kindly man too, who loved his family and was deeply religious. Above all, he was good company, and loved to meet with the Gaels after a game and have the chat. I don't think I ever heard him speak ill of anyone, not even team colleagues. And I certainly never heard him blow his own trumpet or make any excuses for shortcomings on the playing field.

When it came to football he was always honest and critical. They'll do no good", he'd often say after Mayo struggled to win a game. But, you always knew that behind his words was that fervent passion and desire that the team would do well and that he would some day witness the Sam Maguire being brought home before he would finally lay his head on the eternal pillow.

He kept attending games even up to a short time before his illness finally made it impossible. But he always had an enquiring mind, right up to the very end. I expect the first thing he asked from the first person he met in Heaven was " How did Mayo do on Sunday"?

Old colleagues led cortege

1936 All Ireland winning captain, and the last surviving member of the team, Seamus O'Malley, who along with former county players John Ford, Willie Casey, and Henry Dixon, led Josie Munnelly's funeral cortege from Castlebar Church on Sunday to the burial in Ballyheane.

Hundreds turned out to pay their last respect to one of the G.A.A. true living legends and a guard of honour was formed by members of the Mitchels and Mayo teams, as well as colleagues of Josie who had soldiered with him on and off the playing field and worked with him for many years in St Mary's Hospital, Castlebar.

Castlebar Mitchels chairman, Mick Byrne carried the club flag. Mayo footballer Pat Holmes carried the Mayo flag while Mitchels players from the past and present took it in turn to carry the coffin to McHale Rd led by lone piper, Pat Conlon of Balla.

Fr Noel Forde, Chairman of the County Board, presided over the Mass at a packed Church in Castlebar where he was assisted by Fr Martin Longe. Fr Forde paid tribute to Josie for the example he had been to young people over a long and distinguished career.

He said he dedication and of Gaelic football was an example to us all.

Sympathy was extended to Josie sons Brendan, Ger and Jody.



Connaught Telegraph - News - June 1996

Connaught Telegraph - Sport - June 1996