Jarlath Fallon
Encyclopedia
Jarlath "Ja" Fallon is a Gaelic football
er for County Galway
and Tuam Stars
.He is widely regarded as one of the finest players to come from Tuam since the legendary Seán Purcell
and Frank Stockwell
. He has been an integral part of Galway County Football for the past 15 years.
Fallon was born in Tuam
and played Gaelic Football in secondary school with St. Jarlath's College
Tuam.
He began his inter-county career with Galway
in 1991, having already established himself with his local team Tuam Stars
.
He became captain of the County side after Tuam Stars triumph in the Galway Senior Club Football Championship
of 1994.
He led Galway to the 1995 Connacht Senior Football Championship
but lost out to the Peter Canavan
inspired Tyrone
on a score-line of 1-13 to 0-13 in the Semi-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
. Galway failed to build on their success of that year in '96 and '97 but things turned around when John O'Mahony was appointed manager in August of '97.
Galway won the 1998 All-Ireland Football Title with Fallon playing a pivotal role in bringing back the Sam Maguire Cup
to Galway for the first time since 1966 with brilliant individual performances in the Connacht Final replay against Roscommon
, the Semi-Final against Derry
and his 2nd half-performance in the final against Kildare
where Galway came from behind at half-time to win by 1-14 to 1-10. He deservedly won Footballer Of The Year that year. Galway failed to defend their title the next year after losing to fierce rivals Mayo
in the Connacht Final at Tuam stadium.
2000 was a year to forget for Ja as he suffered a cruciate ligament injury in a club game versus UCG (NUIG) in Caherlistrane. His loss was a massive blow to the Galway team as he could have a had big effect against Kerry
in the All-Ireland Final that year in which Kerry were triumphant.
Fallon returned to the Galway set-up in 2001 and as usual, made an impact as Galway, despite losing to Roscommon in the Connacht SFC 2nd Round, reached the All-Ireland Final for the 3rd time in 4 years where they outclassed Meath
on a score-line of 0-17 to 0-08. Galway reached the quarter-final stage of the 2002 Championship but lost to Kerry. In 2003, they reached the same stage again but lost to Donegal
after a replay.
After the game, Fallon announced his retirement from Inter-County Football. In 2004, newly appointed county manager Peter Ford
, chose Fallon as one of his 3 selctors on the Galway backroom staff.
In 2006, Fallon's fine form for Tuam Stars prompted him to come out of Inter-County retirement and play for Galway again. However, his fairytale return was short lived as he lasted less than 20 minutes in Galways 5th round defeat to Westmeath
, suffering a broken-collarbone.
After a disappointing Championship season for Galway in 2007, Ja decided to retire from Inter-county football for the final time, to allow younger players to make a name for themselves. He continues to play club football with Tuam Stars.
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er for County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
and Tuam Stars
Tuam Stars
Tuam Stars is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Tuam area in County Galway, Ireland. The club is a member of the Galway GAA. Underage teams up to U-16's play in the Galway league and championships while Minor, Junior, and Senior compete in their respective competitions in the North...
.He is widely regarded as one of the finest players to come from Tuam since the legendary Seán Purcell
Seán Purcell
Seán Purcell , nicknamed "The Master", was a famous Gaelic footballer for County Galway.Best known as a centre half forward, his versatility saw him used in virtually all outfield positions throughout an illustrious career. He was recognised by many football enthusiasts as one of the greatest...
and Frank Stockwell
Frank Stockwell
Frank Stockwell was an Irish sportsman who played Gaelic football with his local club Tuam Stars and was a member of the Galway, Louth and London inter-county teams at various periods from 1949 until 1960. Stockwell is regarded as Galway’s greatest-ever full forward.Stockwell began his...
. He has been an integral part of Galway County Football for the past 15 years.
Fallon was born in Tuam
Tuam
Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
and played Gaelic Football in secondary school with St. Jarlath's College
St. Jarlath's College
St. Jarlath's College is a Roman Catholic secondary school for boys in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. It is an amalgamation of the former St. Jarlath's College and St...
Tuam.
He began his inter-county career with Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
in 1991, having already established himself with his local team Tuam Stars
Tuam Stars
Tuam Stars is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Tuam area in County Galway, Ireland. The club is a member of the Galway GAA. Underage teams up to U-16's play in the Galway league and championships while Minor, Junior, and Senior compete in their respective competitions in the North...
.
He became captain of the County side after Tuam Stars triumph in the Galway Senior Club Football Championship
Galway Senior Club Football Championship
The Galway Senior Football Club Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the top Galway Clubs. The winners of the Galway Championship winners qualify to represent their county in the Connacht Senior Club Football Championship and in turn, go on to the...
of 1994.
He led Galway to the 1995 Connacht Senior Football Championship
Connacht Senior Football Championship
The Bank of Ireland Connacht Senior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition for the senior county teams of Connacht GAA. A series of games are played during the summer months and the final is played in July....
but lost out to the Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
inspired Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
on a score-line of 1-13 to 0-13 in the Semi-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
. Galway failed to build on their success of that year in '96 and '97 but things turned around when John O'Mahony was appointed manager in August of '97.
Galway won the 1998 All-Ireland Football Title with Fallon playing a pivotal role in bringing back the Sam Maguire Cup
Sam Maguire Cup
The Sam Maguire Cup, often called The Sam , is the name of the cup that is awarded to winners of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
to Galway for the first time since 1966 with brilliant individual performances in the Connacht Final replay against Roscommon
Roscommon GAA
For more details of Roscommon GAA see Roscommon Senior Club Football Championship or Roscommon Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Roscommon County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Roscommon GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games...
, the Semi-Final against Derry
Derry GAA
The Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Derry GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. It is responsible for Gaelic games in the GAA county of Derry, which covers virtually the same territory as the former administrative county of Londonderry...
and his 2nd half-performance in the final against Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
where Galway came from behind at half-time to win by 1-14 to 1-10. He deservedly won Footballer Of The Year that year. Galway failed to defend their title the next year after losing to fierce rivals Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
in the Connacht Final at Tuam stadium.
2000 was a year to forget for Ja as he suffered a cruciate ligament injury in a club game versus UCG (NUIG) in Caherlistrane. His loss was a massive blow to the Galway team as he could have a had big effect against Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
in the All-Ireland Final that year in which Kerry were triumphant.
Fallon returned to the Galway set-up in 2001 and as usual, made an impact as Galway, despite losing to Roscommon in the Connacht SFC 2nd Round, reached the All-Ireland Final for the 3rd time in 4 years where they outclassed Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
on a score-line of 0-17 to 0-08. Galway reached the quarter-final stage of the 2002 Championship but lost to Kerry. In 2003, they reached the same stage again but lost to Donegal
Donegal GAA
The Donegal County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Donegal GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Donegal. The county board is also responsible for the Donegal inter-county teams.Gaelic football is strongest in the...
after a replay.
After the game, Fallon announced his retirement from Inter-County Football. In 2004, newly appointed county manager Peter Ford
Peter Ford
Peter S. Ford is an Australian CEO, author and former journalist.He was a television news anchor in the 1980s and 1990s in Australia and the USA, and was known in Australia for working at the Seven Network as an anchor for Seven News. He was also the first co-anchor of Sunrise which he presented...
, chose Fallon as one of his 3 selctors on the Galway backroom staff.
In 2006, Fallon's fine form for Tuam Stars prompted him to come out of Inter-County retirement and play for Galway again. However, his fairytale return was short lived as he lasted less than 20 minutes in Galways 5th round defeat to Westmeath
Westmeath GAA
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Westmeath...
, suffering a broken-collarbone.
After a disappointing Championship season for Galway in 2007, Ja decided to retire from Inter-county football for the final time, to allow younger players to make a name for themselves. He continues to play club football with Tuam Stars.