Recalling Mayo's success
of '50 and '51
GAA News 11 September 1996
The Mayo senior football team regained the highest honour of the Gaelic code when, before 70,174 spectators, they defeated Louth to win their second All-Ireland title in September, 1950.
Not since Seamus O'Malley and his men took the Sam Maguire across the Shannon to Mayo way back on 1936, was there such excitement and jubilation in the county.
Marked by vigour and close tackling, it was not a brilliant game. The conditions underfoot were totally against good football but there were only occasional glimpses of the high standard expected from such great teams.
The loss of Billy Kenny early in the match seemed to unsettled the Mayo men and their superior fielding was negatived by the nippiness of the Louth men, who looked set to win up to the last minute.
Flanagan was inspirational
Mayo ............................................ 2-5Louth ........................................... 1-6
Mayo, winning the toss, elected to play into the Canal end goal and against a fresh breeze. Led by their captain, Sean Flanagan, who was to play the game of his life, they looked as good and as fit a team as ever represented the county.
Louth started the match in a whirlwind fashion and before the game was ten seconds old, Mayo were a point in arrears. Sean Flanagan brought off a series of great saves in the Mayo back line, and when Padraic Carney invaded Louth territory with a dazzling solo run, his shot was cleared.
Billy Kenny gained possession from the clearance on the right wing and his cross-shot was held by Eamon Mongey who shot over. Mayo were now going good and Mick Flanagan placed Peter Solan, who scored a great goal with a well-placed shot.
Mayo looked like their luck was in when they lost Billy Kenny, who was replaced by Mick Caulfield after twelve minutes. Minutes later it looked like goal number two was on the cards for Mick Mulderrig. However he slipped on the greasy surface, but managed to punch over the bar while on his knees, to leave the score Mayo 1-2, Louth 0-1.
Gilvarry then pointed for Mayo, who lost Billy Durkan through injury. He was replaced by Sean Wynne. Louth's fortunes then changed, and they secured a goal through Roe, and three points, to lead 1-4 to 1-3 at half time.
Great finish
Louth started the second half strongly, but Mongey was playing like a trojan for Mayo and Wynne in the goal pulled off two great saves. They then had a lucky escape when Wynne, who was caught out of position, saw the ball trickle by the wrong side of the net.Mongey then popped up for Mayo and pointed. Louth immediately got a grip on their game and came back attacking strongly again. Mayo, try as they might, couldn't get things to go well.
Their rally came when Carney had two close frees. Almost immediately after came Mayo goal number two, scored by Mick Flanagan and in a minute they were in control in nearly all positions.
Mick Mulderrig got a point and Louth had a free sent wide of the post. Playing with dash and abandon, Mayo kept up the pressure and attacked until the title was westward bound.
Mayo: Billie Durkan (Swinford), John Forde (Ardnaree), Paddy Prendergast (Ballintubber), Sean Flanagan (capt., Ballyhaunis), Peter Quinn (Ardnaree), Henry Dixon (Mayo Abbey), John McAndrew (Bangor-Erris), Padraic Carney (Swinford), Eamon Mongey (0-2) (Castlebar), Mick Flanagan (1-0) (Castlebar), Billie Kenny (Claremorris), Joe Gilvarry (0-1) (Killala), Mick Mulderrig (0-2) (Ballina), Tom Langan (Ballycastle), Peter Solan (1-0) (Islandeady). Subs: Sean Wynne (Ballina) for Durkan; Mick Caulfield (Aughamore) for Kenny; Sean Mulderrig (Ballina) for Caulfield.
Louth: S. Thornton, M. Byrne, T. Conlon (capt.), J. Tuft, S. Boyle, P. Markey, P. McArdle, J. Regan, J. Reid, J. McDonnell, N. Roe, S. White, R. Lynch, H. Reynolds, M. Reynolds. Subs: R. Mooney for Roe; M. McDonnell for McArdle.
The double is completed
The Mayo success story continued into 1951 when, first, they retained the Connacht title. In the All-Ireland semi-final they held Kerry to a draw in their first meeting and, emerging victors from the second encounter, had a chance to do the double in Croke Park.Mayo - - - 2-8
Meath - - 0-9
On the whole, the 1951 final was a poor game. No one expected Mayo to win so convincingly. This was supposed to be the match of the century, so evenly balanced were both sides. Most critics favoured Meath to win by a small margin. Few predicted they would be so completely outclassed.
Though the game was one-sided, and for that reason generally considered poor, there were many thrilling passages, the most notable being Langan's and Gilvarry's goals; Mick Flanagan's lightening runs in the second half; Carney's brilliant fielding and the great defensive play of Mayo's backs.
The game started with Meath winning the toss and electing to play into the Railway goal, favoured by a strong breeze. With an all out attack, they were three points up on nine minutes. A minute later came Langan's goal for Mayo. He secured possession about 25 yards out and literally waltzed through on his own to beat Smyth with a great left footed drive. Mayo continued to attack, and when Mulderrig was fouled, Carney pointed a close-in free to give Mayo the lead for the first time.
Soon after Meath equalised, went ahead, but were pulled level with a point by Mongey. However, wasting few scoring chances they took the lead again with points from Meegan (2), and McDermott. Carney then pointed a Mayo free, and two minutes later, a cross by Mulderrig was gathered by 'Joko' Gilvarry in the square and he blazed the ball past Smyth for Mayo's second goal. Another point for Meath followed before half time, leaving Mayo leading 2-3 to 0-8.
Mayo, with Liam Hastings replacing Henry Dixon, attacked strongly on resuming but faulty shooting led to numerous wides. When Langan was fouled, Carney pointed the free and a few minutes later, Irwin, receiving from Gilvarry, notched up another point. More chance followed and the game was all Mayo at this stage. Carney stretched the lead to four points. Byrne replied with what was to be Meath's last point. Mayo didn't sit back on their lead and finished strongly with two more points from Gilvarry and Carney.
The Siege of Dublin
Mick O'Connell, reporting for the Connaught Telegraph, wrote: "The winners supporters are jubilant, the losers supporters are satisfied. All that remains is to celebrate. The bars are packed by men made thirsty by all they have shouted during the past two hours. Everyone in Mayo seems to be in Barry's Hotel. The Mayo Mens Association are having a reception and dance and a second dance."Mayo: Sean Wynne (Ballina), John Forde (Ardnaree), Paddy Prendergast (Ballintubber), Sean Flanagan (capt.), (Ballaghadereen), Joe Staunton (Louisburgh), Henry Dixon (Mayo Abbey), Peter Quinn (Ardnaree), Eamonn Mongey (0-1) (Castlebar), John McAndrew (Bangor-Erris), Paddy Irwin (0-1) (Lacken), Padraic Carney (0-5) (Swinford), Sean Mulderrig (Ballina), Mick Flanagan (Castlebar), Tom Langan (1-0) (Ballycastle), Joe Gilvarry (1-1) (Killala). Sub: Liam Hastings (Westport ), for Dixon.
Meath: K. Smyth, M. O'Brien, P. O'Brien, K. McConnell, J. Heery (capt.), C.
Kelly, C. Hand, D. Taafe, P. Connell, F. Byrne, M. McDonnell, P. Meegan, B.
Smyth, J. Reilly, P. McDermott. Subs: P. Dixon for Hand; Hand for J. Heery.
Connaught Telegraph - News - September 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - September 1996
