Great Mayo man Mickey Garvey - away but still at home

CASTLEBAR CELTIC CENTENARY

The Irish diaspora are renowned for their emotional and spiritual attachment to the ‘old country’, writes ANDREW LEONARD.

The core of that connection is best embodied in that everlasting bond between parish sports’ clubs and those parishioners who have emigrated abroad.

The beating heart of any parish are the local sports’ clubs and that heart doesn't beat more stronger than that of Castlebar Celtic Football Club. This was made even more clearer to me when I met for the first time last August a long-standing friend of Castlebar Celtic, Mickey Garvey.

Mickey Garvey was a well regarded youth footballer with Castlebar Celtic before he emigrated to England and then onward to Chicago. He still keeps an eye on everything that happens in the town and especially so on the fortunes of Castlebar Celtic.

He was a nephew of the legendary Tom Ketterick, a man who did so much for the club during his lifetime.

Mickey was delighted to visit the clubhouse and attend an Under-16 game during his most recent visit and was made welcome by Andy Leonard and Michael Feeney.

It was a special and moving occasion as he had his entire family with him including his son Michael, a retired sergeant from the Chicago Police Department, his daughter Mary Teresa, his son-in-law Dan Gallagher, grandchildren Kevin and Kathy and her college friend Amy. He was thrilled to get a photo taken of the whole family group in front of the clubhouse.

Mickey is an ever flowing stream of memories, filled with gold love and affection for the club.

He mentioned some of the great players and people who ran the club way back in the ‘50s and later. His litany of names included Hughie McGartland, Tom Ketterick, Michael Heverin, Robert Kilkelly, Andy Leonard Snr., Chas Guthrie, Joe McCormack, Patsy Haugh (Moneen), ‘Bucks’ Leonard (Castle St.), Joe Feeney, Joseph Redmond, Vincent Feeney, ‘Hucky’ Flynn, Billy Cresham, Joe Crystal, Jimmy Devaney and many more.

Mickey returns to Castlebar from the windy city of Chicago every year. His next trip will be to celebrate Celtic’s 100th anniversary and all club members are looking forward to seeing him.

Thanks for the memories Mickey!

A full recorded sit-down chat, going down memory lane with Mickey, can be listened to soon on the Castlebar Celtic website.