2000 Mayo Junior Football Jubilee Team

 

 

 

Killala 1-08

The Neale 0-08

 

2000 saw Killala win their first Mayo Junior title in 52 years when they overcame their South Mayo opponents on a scoreline of 1-08 to 0-08. Whilst only one score seperated the teams at the finish, in truth the North Mayo side were much the dominant team, a wide tally of 21 reflecting their outfield superiority throughout the game.

Early points from Rory Hannick and Ronan Clarke gave Killala the perfect start before The Neale came back to lead briefly. Two points from Hannick and one from Dominick Herbert put the seasiders back in front, before a Rory Hannick goal in the 21st minute extended their lead. They would not score again until six minutes before the end, and by half-time, The Neale had reduced their advantage to 1-05 to 0-05.

Scores were hard to come by in the second-half, as The Neale reduced the margin to the minimun with time ticking away. However late points from scorer in chief Rory Hannick with two and substitute Pat Bilbow saw Killala home to a deserved victory.

 

Killala Team:

Rory Kennedy, John Barrett, Karl Dooher, Maurice Scanlon, Martin Farrell, Seamie Maughan(Capt), Jerome Farrell, Lorcan Brennan, Noel Ryan, Niall McAndrew, Rory Hannick 1-05), Ronan Clarke (0-01), Conor Hannick, Sean Donoghue, Dominick Herbert (0-01).

 

SUBS:

Pat Bilbow (0-01) Michael Golden, Alex McGregor, Vincent McGuire, Tony Molloy, John Golden, Kevin Mahedy, Eamon Killeen, Barry Kilbane, Brendan Herbert, Peter Ryan, Jonathan Walsh, Shane Healy

 

Team Management: Declan O’Dea (Manager), Sean McAndrew, Michale Gill

 

Referee: Peter Geraghty

 

 

Junior County Final Winners 2000

 

Twenty-Five years ago the 2000 County Junior Championship was won by Killala. This victory bridged a 52 year gap since the clubs only previous Junior Championship win in 1948. The 2000 season also included wins in the North Mayo Junior Championship and promotion from Division Four of the County League.

The North Mayo Championship Final versus Knockmore was won in Ballina prior to a County Semi Final win versus a highly fancied Ballyhaunis side in Charlestown.

The County Final played in McHale Park on a wet September day versus the Neale goes down as one of the best days of Killala GAA’s history with Killala sealing a 1-08 to 0-08 victory.

 

Seamie Maughan (On Field Captain) (Centre Half Back):

Seamie lined out at Centre half back for Killala through out the 2000 Championship campaign. Known as a tough no-nonsense player he provided a solid base for the campaign in which he would ultimately go on to lift the McDonnell cup in this ground 25 years ago. Seamie went on to be part of future successful teams in the club and is also an active clubman having served as club secretary on two separate occasions and being involved in many team managements.

Vinny McGuire (Injured Captain):

Vinny was named as team captain for the 2000 campaign, unfortunately his time on the field was hindered due to sustaining a serious ankle injury. However, this didn’t curb Vinnies influence on the panel throughout the 2000 campaign. A hardworking player who lined out in various positions throughout his career returned from injury to play for many successful years after the 2000 campaign.

• Rory Kennedy (Goal Keeper):

Rory was one of the younger members of the 2000 team. He was a renowned shot stopper and made some brilliant saves through out the 2000 campaign. He was also a constant presence between the sticks for his underage career with Killala.

• John Barrett (Right Corner Back):

The man known as Johnny B was a main stay throughout not only the 2000 campaign but also throughout the whole decade for Killala. A man who was never found wanting when tasked with marking many well known forwards around the county.

• Karl Dooher (Full Back) (Represented by his brother Micheal):

The man who was awarded the man of the match award for the 2000 County Final at just 21 years of age was the rock at the back for Killala. Karl went on to represent Killala well into his 40’s and was captain of the 2008 County & Connacht Junior winning side. Karl who cannot be with us today is represented by his younger brother Micheal.

• Maurice Scanlon (Corner Back) :

Maurice lined out at corner back throughout the 2000 campaign, Maurice played all his underage football in the backline and sealed down a starting place early in the 2000 campaign. He was known for speed and ability to be out in front of his marker.

• Jerome Farrell (Left Half Back):

One of the first set of brothers in this team, Jerome lined out in the half back line for the 2000 campaign as he did for his whole Killala career which started in 1993. A man who was well known for his tough presence in the Killala team for many years. Jerome has gone on to work with many underage teams in the clubs in recent years.

• Martin Farrell (Right Half Back):

Jerome’s brother Martin lined out at wing back for the County Final but showed his versatility as a footballer by lining out in various different positions throughout the 2000 campaign. Martin is the current Killala Junior team manager who played in today’s County Junior B final.

• Noel Ryan (Midfield):

2000 is known as the year of the “Return of the Rhino”. The man who was named as player of the year for the Championship winning season lead by example throughout the whole campaign from the middle of the park. Noel is a selector on the current Killala team.

• Lorcan Brennan (Midfield):

A man that literally covered every blade of grass every time he took to the field. He lined out at midfield through out the campaign. This man is still known to pull off the player manager role from time to time even yet for the Killala B Team.

 

• Niall McAndrew (Left Half Forward):

A man who so early in the Millenium scored a goal that is a contender for goal of the Millenium in the 2000 North Mayo final. Niall lined out at wing forward through out the 2000 campaign. Niall coached many underage teams in the club in the years since.

• Rory Hannick (Centre Half Forward) 

Rory represented both Killala and the Mayo Senior Footballers in the year 2000. A man who was known throughout the county for his high fielding ability. Rory’s goal proved to be the decisive score of the final. Rory played for Killala for many years and represented the Mayo Senior Footballers again in 2006.

 

• Ronan Clarke (RIP) (Right Half Forward) (Represented by his daughter Saorla):

An extremely talented footballer who showed his versatility by lining out in all lines of the pitch for Killala throughout his long lasting career. A well known TV personality from his work on RTE’s ear to the ground, but to all in Killala Ronan was known as a fantastic hardworking and dedicated team mate and club man. Ronan served as an administrator covering many, many roles in the club throughout the years and also coached many underage teams. Sadly, Ronan passed away in 2014 following a bravely fought illness. Ronan is today represented by his daughter Saorla.

• Dominic Herbert (Left Corner Forward):

A man that provided the only link between the previous North Mayo Championship winning side of 1983 lined out at Corner Forward throughout the campaign. Dominic soldiered for Killala for many years in between and in 2000 added a County medal to his All Ireland Vocational Schools medal he won in 1982 along with his club mate Gerry Maheady. He coached many teams in Killala at all ages in the years since and also served as club chairman.

14) Sean Donohue (Full Forward):

Sean lined at full forward for the 2000 county final as he did for many occasions, he also played midfield and was known to be a great fielder of the ball throughout his career which spanned many years in the blue and white. He also had a keen eye for goal and got a number of vital scores throughout the 2000 campaign.

 

• Conor Hannick (Right Corner Forward) :

A brother of Rory and a member of a famous Killala footballing family. He lined out at corner forward for the 2000 season. A man known as a good ball winner and able to convert possession to scores. Conor moved to the US in the years shortly after the 2000 win and currently lives there.

 

Pat Bilbow:

Pat played for Killala for many years and made a valuable contribution when introduced to the 2000 final. A man who played in the half forward line mostly but also featured at center half back when the need arose. He managed the Killala Junior team for three seasons in the recent past and reached the County Junior Semi Final in 2022.

Micheal Golden:

A young player in 2000 who got a valuable score at a critical juncture when introduced to the 2000 County Final. He went on to play for Killala in the forward line for many years throughout a successful decade to follow the year of 2000. He is the current club County Board delegate and previously served as chairman.

Alec McGregor:

A good attacking wing back who was known among his team mates as “Foley” after his County Meath lookalike. He was a sticky man marker also. He is a past club secretary and also coached many underage teams in the club.

Kevin Maheady:

A man who returned in 2000 from a substantial knee injury he sustained a few years previously. He played his football between both the forward and backlines before moving into goal in later years. He was a selector on the 2008 County & Connacht Junior Championship winning team and also served as club chairman.

John Golden:

A brother of Micheal who also lined out in the forwards for Killala for many years at both underage and adult levels. He is remembered as a hardworking forward who always chipped in with scores.

Peter Ryan:

A brother of Noel, Peter also suffered a serious injury at the beginning of the 2000 campaign. He was a strong forward who was known as a good score getter. He was also known to be able to look after himself and his team mates if and when the need occurred.

Eamon Killeen:

Eamon played the majority of his football for Killala in the half forward line and was known for his ability to win breaking ball. He was also known to let out a famous roar to encourage referees to award him frees. He was also a selector on the 2008 County & Connacht Junior Championship winning team and served as club chairman.

Jonathon Walsh:

A man who comes from a proud Killala GAA Family. Jonathon was a young panel member in 2000 and went on to represent Killala for many years as a tight marking corner back. He went on the serve as club secretary and also coached underage teams within the club.

Tony Molloy:

The man known as T, He played multiple positions for Killala over the years from backs to midfields to forwards while having a great year in 2000. He is remembered for his lightning pace and ability to break through the opposition defence.

Barry Kilbane:

One of the youngest members of the 2000 panel. Barry as always in the year 2000 gave a huge effort and proved to be an important member of the panel.

Shane Healy:

Shane represented Killala through underage and also for the Killala Junior team for a number of years. He was a tough corner back and was always more than reliable when called upon, He moved to the UK in the years after 2000 where he still lives today and is actively involved in his club across the pond.

 

 

 

Brendan Garvin:

2000 was Brendan’s first year in the Junior panel. A man who had an underage career that excited many in the Killala Club. His career at adult level didn’t disappoint either having played in the Killala County Championship win in 2008 and Connacht Championship wins of 2006 & 2008.

Brendan Herbert (Absent) (Represented by his Nephew Darragh):

Brendan a brother of Dominic represented Killala for many years. He was a strong no nonsense defender. He is represented today by his nephew Darragh.

Team Management:

Declan o Dea (Absent) (Team Manager):

A native of County Offaly, Declan took over the Killala team in early 2000 and led the team to a County Championship win in his first season. A man who placed an emphasis on physical fitness that was beyond that of the level known to Junior Football at the time. Declan managed Killala on two further occasions and led Killala to the Connacht Junior title in 2006.

Sean McAndrew (Selector):

Sean a brother of Niall who started at wing forward joined as part of Declan O Deas management team. Sean had previously managed many underage teams in the club.

Michael Gill (Selector):

The Moygownagh native played for his home club as a forward for many years before he became involved in Killala GAA. He was part of various different management teams in Killala and was always known for an encouraging word particularly to younger players in the panel.