Sean Armstrong | Niall Bogue | Eoin Brosnan | Paddy Bradley | Sean Cavanagh Aidan Carr | Kevin Cassidy | Ronan Clarke | Bryan Cullen | Colm Cooper
Shane Curran | Brian Dooher | Kieran Donahy | Mattie Forde | Thomas Freeman
Raymond Gallagher | Paul Galvin | Leighton Glynn | Ciaran Hanratty
Stephen Kernan | James Masters | Andy McClean | Oisin McConville
Ciaran McDonald | Stephen McDonnell | Michael Meehan | Barry Monaghan
Finnian Moriarty | Adrian Morrissey | Conor Mortimer | Eoin Mulligan
Ross Munnelly | Nicholas Murphy | Eamon O'Hara | Stephen O'Neill
Tomas Ó Sé | Darragh Ó Sé | Declan O'Sullivan | Colm Parkinson | Tomás Quinn
Donal Shine | Ciaran Whelan | Fergal Doherty
On St Patrick’s Day the All-Ireland Club Championship becomes a family affair as the Meehans from Caltra do battle with the Ó Sé’s of An Ghaeltacht. It sums up all that is good about the GAA community. Five of Caltra’s line-up are Meehans (Enda, Declan, Thomas, Michael and Noel), while Kerry boost four Ó Sé’s (Darragh, Tómas, Marc and Fergal). The youngest of the Meehan clan, Michael is threatening to eclipse all that has gone before him. Not only is he a dead-ball expert, but he has an eye for goal as well. This was something their semi-final victims The Loup, of Derry, found out the hard way.
Despite being just 19 years old, the NUIG student has plenty of honours in the bag, including an Under-21 All-Ireland that he picked up with Galway in 2002. Now, he is gunning for the senior crowns of both club and county. Realistically, what can stop him? All will be revealed when the two most famous GAA clans of the generation come face-toface on St Patrick’s Day.
What have been your greatest moments in Sport?
I started off by winning the Hogan Cup with my school St Jarlath’s in April 2002 but Caltra picking up the county title for the first time in our history last year was reallyunbelievable. It was a great day. I also won the Sigerson Cup with NUIG, we beat UCD in the final last year.
Who are the toughest team you have ever faced?
Coláiste Na Scelige in the Hogan Cup, All- Ireland Colleges, semi-final replay last year. It went to extra-time in both games and we still only won by a single point. They had Declan O’Sullivan and Bryan Sheehan on their team.
Who was your toughest ever marker?
Paul Griffin of Dublin. I played against him in the Under-21 All-Ireland final, then in the League and of course the Sigerson against UCD. He’s a great player. In training, probably my older brother Enda, while Michael Comer is also difficult.
What advice would you give to young players coming through the ranks?
I would say to them to play as much as you can and enjoy it. Also, play all sports but eventually pick just one whether it be soccer, rugby, football or hurling. Then stick with it. I played some hurling, but for me the choice was easy.
How do you balance being a student and playing football?
It’s tough enough but not that bad. My club lets you go off when exams and all
that start. But it’s never tiring when you are winning. After Paddy’s Day I’ll worry about that.
© March 2004 |
