Martin McNamara
Encyclopedia
Martin McNamara is a famous Gaelic footballer from Corofin
, County Galway
.
McNamara was the reliable servant in goal for Galway
for several years. It was the time when a Galway match wouldn’t be a Galway match without a McNamara save of blinding quality. Unfortunately it was also the time of a barren spell for the Galway team. That barren spell seemed to turnaround with a first Connacht title in 8 years in 1995 and a narrow semi-final defeat to Tyrone
but Mayo
seemed to halt any revival that Galway were planning when they reached the next two All-Ireland finals, both at Galway's expense in Connacht.
As the 98 championship approached, retirement from inter-county football was a serious prospect for McNamara. He considered such a thought after playing a key role in Corofin's
All-Ireland Club Championship winning team of 1998 but decided to contionue for the time being. It would be a decision he would never regret.
John O'Mahony
had taken over the reins of Galway football from Val Daly
in 97 and was to take Galway through their most successful period since the famous "Three In A Row" era. They defeated Mayo in the first round of the Connacht SFC and extended Leitrim
a similar courtesy in the semi-final. In the final, they played Roscommon
on July 13 in a rainy day at Tuam Stadium
. McNamara made crucial saves throughout the game and Galway forced a replay with a late Niall Finnegan free. Galway won the replay after extra time by 1-17 to 0-17. They were a step above Derry in the semi-final and not even a late penalty could ruin the day as Galway won by 0-16 to 1-08. In the final, they met a Kildare
side who had bet the 1995
, 1996
, and the 1997
All-Ireland champions in their road to Croke Park. Kildare frustrated Galway in the first half and led by 1-05 to 0-05. However, Galway turned thing around in the 2nd half to win their 8th All-Ireland title, 1-14 to 1-10. For McNamara it had completed a unique double of club and county All-Ireland success. McNamara was named in the Goalkeeper slot for the 1998 All-Stars, confirming his status as best Goalkeeper in the country that year.
Galway looked to repeat their success in 1999
but Mayo
gained revenge for the defeat in 98 by defeating Galway in the Connacht final at Tuam
. Soon after Galway’s defeat in the Connacht final, McNamara decided to call it a day, again, but decided to have one final crack ath the title in 2000.
In 2000
, Galway defeated New York
, Sligo
and Leitrim on their way to another Connacht title. In the semi-final, they faced Kildare with the 98 decider fresh in their minds but Galway finished strongly to qualify for another All-Ireland final. Galway met Kerry
in the final and after a poor start, Galway had kept Kerry to six points for the final 50 minutes. However they were unable to strike the winning score and the final finished level, 0-14 each. In the replay, a wonderful goal by Declan Meehan was not enough as Kerry won by 0-17 to 1-10. McNamara finally decided to retire at the age of 34.
In recent years, the goalkeeper berth left void by McNamara has been filled by Alan Keane, Pádraig Lally and Brian O'Donoghue. Although current goalkeeper Paul Doherty may be a worthy No.1 for Galway, it is believed that the position hasn't been truly replaced since McNamara retired.
Corofin, County Galway
Corofin is a village and parish in County Galway, Ireland, situated on the N17 road between Galway city and Tuam.-Sport:The local Gaelic football club, Corofin GAC, were All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship winners in 1998. They have won 14 Galway Senior Football Championship titles from...
, 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...
.
McNamara was the reliable servant in goal for 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,...
for several years. It was the time when a Galway match wouldn’t be a Galway match without a McNamara save of blinding quality. Unfortunately it was also the time of a barren spell for the Galway team. That barren spell seemed to turnaround with a first Connacht title in 8 years in 1995 and a narrow semi-final defeat to 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....
but 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:...
seemed to halt any revival that Galway were planning when they reached the next two All-Ireland finals, both at Galway's expense in Connacht.
As the 98 championship approached, retirement from inter-county football was a serious prospect for McNamara. He considered such a thought after playing a key role in Corofin's
Corofin GAC
Corofin GAC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Corofin, 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...
All-Ireland Club Championship winning team of 1998 but decided to contionue for the time being. It would be a decision he would never regret.
John O'Mahony
John O'Mahony (Mayo politician)
John O'Mahony is an Irish Fine Gael politician and former football manager. He is currently a Teachta Dála for the Mayo constituency. He was elected at the 2007 general election...
had taken over the reins of Galway football from Val Daly
Val Daly
Val Daly is a former inter-county footballer for GalwayOriginally from Mountbellew, Daly made his debut with the county side in the 1981 National League and played up until the 1997 Championship season when he was player manager....
in 97 and was to take Galway through their most successful period since the famous "Three In A Row" era. They defeated Mayo in the first round of the Connacht SFC and extended Leitrim
Leitrim GAA
The Leitrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Leitrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Leitrim. The county board is also responsible for the Leitrim inter-county teams.-Gaelic football:In the 1924 Connacht...
a similar courtesy in the semi-final. In the final, they played 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...
on July 13 in a rainy day at Tuam Stadium
St. Jarlath's Park
St. Jarlath's Park is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. It is one of the principal stadia of Galway GAA's football and hurling teams. The ground has a capacity of 25,000.The official opening of the stadium took place on May 21st 1950...
. McNamara made crucial saves throughout the game and Galway forced a replay with a late Niall Finnegan free. Galway won the replay after extra time by 1-17 to 0-17. They were a step above Derry in the semi-final and not even a late penalty could ruin the day as Galway won by 0-16 to 1-08. In the final, they met a 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...
side who had bet the 1995
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1995
-All-Ireland Final:-See also:...
, 1996
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1996
-Leinster Senior Football Championship:-------------------------------------Connacht Senior Football Championship:---------------------Ulster Senior Football Championship:--------------------------------...
, and the 1997
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1997
-Leinster Senior Football Championship:---------------------------------------------Connacht Senior Football Championship:---------------------Ulster Senior Football Championship:--------------------------------...
All-Ireland champions in their road to Croke Park. Kildare frustrated Galway in the first half and led by 1-05 to 0-05. However, Galway turned thing around in the 2nd half to win their 8th All-Ireland title, 1-14 to 1-10. For McNamara it had completed a unique double of club and county All-Ireland success. McNamara was named in the Goalkeeper slot for the 1998 All-Stars, confirming his status as best Goalkeeper in the country that year.
Galway looked to repeat their success in 1999
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1999
The 1999 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was the 113th edition of the GAA's premier gaelic football competition. It was played between May and September 1999. The final was contested between Meath and Cork...
but 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:...
gained revenge for the defeat in 98 by defeating Galway in the Connacht final at 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:...
. Soon after Galway’s defeat in the Connacht final, McNamara decided to call it a day, again, but decided to have one final crack ath the title in 2000.
In 2000
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2000
-Munster Senior Football Championship:---------------------Ulster Senior Football Championship:-------------------------------------Round robin stage:------------------------...
, Galway defeated New York
New York GAA
The New York County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or New York GAA, is one of the county boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in the New York metropolitan area...
, Sligo
Sligo GAA
The Sligo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Sligo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Sligo...
and Leitrim on their way to another Connacht title. In the semi-final, they faced Kildare with the 98 decider fresh in their minds but Galway finished strongly to qualify for another All-Ireland final. Galway met 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 final and after a poor start, Galway had kept Kerry to six points for the final 50 minutes. However they were unable to strike the winning score and the final finished level, 0-14 each. In the replay, a wonderful goal by Declan Meehan was not enough as Kerry won by 0-17 to 1-10. McNamara finally decided to retire at the age of 34.
In recent years, the goalkeeper berth left void by McNamara has been filled by Alan Keane, Pádraig Lally and Brian O'Donoghue. Although current goalkeeper Paul Doherty may be a worthy No.1 for Galway, it is believed that the position hasn't been truly replaced since McNamara retired.