URLAUR FOOTBALLER SPEAKS OF PERSONAL TRAGEDY

URLAUR FOOTBALLER SPEAKS OF PERSONAL TRAGEDY

By Tom Kelly

A MAYO football star has spoken openly for the first time of the personal tragedy which influenced his playing career.

Urlaur United midfielder Tim Moriarty was involved in a traffic accident three years ago which claimed the life of his mother, Kathleen.

The accident occurred near Ballaghaderreen on the way home from Urlaur's Tuohy Cup final defeat at the hands of Castlebar United at Milebush in May, 1994

Tim, of Clooncara, Kilmovee, was unable to kick a ball for almost a year, but returned to score the winning goal in the club's Area F.A.I. Junior Cup victory over Manulla in the 1995/96 season.

"I will always treasure that win which I dedicated to my mother. She loved football and followed Urlaur everywhere", he said.

Moriarty is a key figure in the Mayo side which faces Kerry in the semi-final of the Oscar Traynor Cup at Milebush Park, Castlebar, on Saturday morning next at 11 o'clock. The winners will play Kilkenny or the Athletic Union League, Dublin, in the final on Sunday afternoon.

He said the reason he returned playing football was 'because that was what my mother would have wanted.'

"She would really be looking forward to next weekend if she was still alive. God bless her soul."

Tim said he found it very hard to get back into football. "I started playing Gaelic football first of all. I knew she would have wanted me to keep on playing."

He felt it was ironic that he had 'played the game of his life' in the 3-2 Cup final defeat by Castlebar United in the Tuohy Cup final on May 8th, 1994, just hours before the tragedy occurred.

"It was a devastating setback. But I hope I have come back a stronger character. My family have been very supportive of me, and the players and official of Urlaur United have helped me every step of the way."