Fethard team that won Tipperary senior football championship in 1997 is honoured

The Fethard team that won the club’s 20th County Senior Football Championship 26 years ago was honoured last Sunday by the County GAA Board and The Nationalist as this year’s Gaelic Football Team of the Past.

Fond memories of that successful campaign in 1997 were recalled when the team gathered at The Dome in FBD Semple Stadium, before being introduced to the attendance at half time during the FBD County Senior Football Championship final between Clonmel Commercials and JK Brackens; and at a function later that evening in the Talbot Hotel in Clonmel.

In the county final played in New Inn on November 21 1997, Fethard defeated Aherlow, who were appearing in their first final, by 3-8 to 1-9 in a thrilling contest.

Fethard, who also won the South Championship in the same year, were the favourites, but trailed the team from the west by a point as the game entered the final ten minutes.

However, like all great teams, they found a way to win. A goal from Michael ‘Buddy’ Fitzgerald nine minutes from the end gave them a two-point lead. They pressed home their advantage in the closing stages with a spectacular point by man of the match Tommy Sheehan, and an opportunist goal by midfielder Micheál Spillane to put the seal on their five-points victory.

Above: From left, Fethard players Micheál Spillane, Martin Coen, Michael ‘Buddy’ Fitzgerald and Chris Coen

Joe Kennedy, Chairman of the County GAA Board, said it was hugely important to honour victories such as Fethard’s in 1997.
He said that the team was filled with quality and many of those players had made major contributions to the club and county on and off the field.

Things may have taken a downturn for Fethard in recent seasons, but it was great to see the club playing in last Saturday’s County Under 19 A Football Championship final, despite losing to Galtee Rovers. The signs of a revival for the club were there, he said.

Eamonn Wynne, representing sponsors The Nationalist, said that the team was stocked with household names, the majority of whom were present.

“Those players not only upheld the finest standards of the game, but they enhanced this club’s very proud footballing tradition, which stretches all the way back to the early years of the GAA.

Above: From left, Tommy Sheehan, Willie O’Meara, Jimmy O’Meara and Brian Burke

“Christy Ring once said that without Tipperary, hurling is only half-dressed. Similarly, without Fethard, Tipperary football and the county’s senior championship is only half-dressed.

“That’s why all football supporters are hoping for a resurrection of the club’s fortunes for the good of the game in the county,” he added.

Replying on behalf of the team, Chris Coen said they had all enjoyed a great day and he thanked the organisers and the sponsors.

He extended thanks to the selectors and the committee for their work to make the 1997 team so successful, and he recalled great memories of that season, which included a run to the club’s first Munster Club Football Championship final, when they were beaten by Cork champions Castlehaven in Fermoy.