For those who missed our Hall of Fame inductions last Saturday Night
As we commence our induction of the 2016 Award recipients to the Latton O’Rahillys Hall of Fame Roll of Honour, let us pause for a moment to remember a recipient of this honour, the late Ben Mc Elroy, who passed away two weeks ago, a Club Honorary President and tremendous servant of the O’Rahilly club and Latton.
Ar dheis de go trocaire ar anam.
Tonight to the club Hall of Fame we induct 3 recipients all of whom have given tremendous service to the club on and off the playing field.
Michael Lennon or Mickey Lennon as he was affectionately known, is of a legendary Latton and Monaghan family, the Lennons, Monaghan’s only family to have played Senior Inter County football for the Farney Men, Mickey’s father Hughie in a career spanning 1931 to 1939 winning an Ulster Championship in 1938, 4 Mc Kenna Cup Medals. Mickey himself serving the county, with his son Eoin with a Senior Inter County Career of 15 years captaining Monaghan to the Ulster Championship of 2013, indeed Eoin we wish you good luck against the Dubs in Clones tomorrow.
Michael Lennon came to early prominence being selected to the 1960 and 1961 County Minor Panels reaching the Ulster Minor Championship Final of 1961 where Monaghan were beaten by Armagh having defeated Tyrone and Fermanagh in the earlier rounds to which Mickey contributed significantly.
Being part of the 1964 County u-21 team Monaghan’s first ever u-21 Ulster Final to be beaten in Ballybofey by Donegal the game being stopped for over 15 minutes as the ball went into the Finn River.
Indeed two weeks later tragedy struck the Monaghan panel as Emyvale’s Val Forde died tragically. Moving into the Senior County Panel Mickey excelled for Monaghan in the National Football League fixtures against Down in Blayney, Tyrone in Ballybay and Fermanagh over a number of seasons.
In 1961, Mickey was one of the Latton players to be part of the Ballybay Minor Football Championship winning team but it was with Latton he was to give the next decade of outstanding service. Dr Ward Cup Winners in 1962 in the Final Mickey scored an excellent goal from his centre half forward position he was one of the top 8 scorers in county. Winning a Brennan Cup Medal in 66 his three sons Hughie, Kieran and Eoin have been sterling servants of the O’Rahilly colours.
The 2016, Hall of Fame recipient Michael Mickey Lennon.
Our second induction tonight to the club Hall of Fame Roll of Honour is Michael Mc Cabe also affectionately known as Mickey his career starting with the Latton u-16’s a Monaghan Minor Football winning Championship medal winner with Ballybay in 1961 with other Latton payers Emmy Sullivan, John Farmer, Eamon Duffy, Mickey Lennon, Sean Duffy and Patrick Lennon.
A member of the County Minor team in 1961 beating Tyrone by 4-9 to 3-4 in the opening round, Fermanagh by 2-14 to 1-6 in the Semi-Final and beating Armagh in the Ulster Final on the 23rd July in Casement Park Mickey contributing soundly in defence throughout the campaign Mickey’s abilities were quickly to make him a regular on Latton teams during the following years, reward came his way with a Brennan Cup Medal in 1966 with a serious knee injury which put an end to his playing career.
The levelness and dozing of our current playing field , has often been commended by many over the years the man to that was Mickey Mc Cabe with a D4 in the mid 1970’s and tonight he tells me if a Massie can be arranged he is available to start the new playing field.
A great Latton supporter all of Mickey’s sons have played and assisted the club and I know of particular pride to Mickey in 2016 was the Minor Double winning team with his son Michael Manager, Grandson Stephen Trainer and four Grandsons playing Team Captain Dylan and Conor, Adam and David.
Our 2nd 2016 Hall of Fame recipient Michael Mickey Mc Cabe
Our 3rd recipient tonight to be inducted to the Latton O’Rahilly Hall of Fame Roll of Honour is Bernard Mc Elroy. Everything Bernard does in life he gives to it 1000%, his family work, farming, faith and Latton O’Rahilly’s. This was no less a truly dedicated player in less successful times Bernard wore the white and blue of Latton and Monaghan with pride and determination playing County Minor with Monaghan against Down marking the great Val Kane and Senior lining out against Fermanagh in the Ulster Football Championship of 1970 in Ballybay.
Winning a Dr. Ward Cup Medal in 1962 playing at left half forward with victory over Killany by 0-10 to 0-4 having overwhelmed Killeevan in the semi-final 4-9 to 1-2. Refereed by Frank O’Brien Threemilehouse.
1966 brought Latton and Bernard Brennan Cup Honours where in the Final against drawn against Clontibret he was described as “best performer in the fullback line” with Bernard’s performances in the replay won by Latton on a scoreline of 2-11 to 3-4 after extra time he was reported as having “gave a stylish display in defence”.
A true gentleman Bernard is one of Latton’s greatest supporters always there to encourage and advise and truly proud of his sons Brian, Colm and Hughie on the playing fields as he is of all his family wife Mary Nualam Daughters Nuala and Caroline and all the loving grandchildren. As I say a great supporter even sometime s to the point of wanting to participate in the action and most times sure to be heard.
Hall of Fame Award Recipient 2016 Bernard Mc Elroy.
Bernard tells me the trip to the chapel to light a candle before the game was sure to seek divine help.
