Seán Purcell
Encyclopedia
Seán Purcell nicknamed "The Master", was a famous Gaelic football
er 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 players of all time. In 2009 he was named in the Sunday Tribune
's list of the 125 Most Influential People In GAA History.
Born in Tuam
, County Galway
, Purcell is widely regarded as Gaelic football
's greatest centre-half forward. His affinty with the game began at an early age. In 1934, Galway
played Cavan
in Tuam. It was the first big occasion Purcell remembered "The crowd was exceptional for the time because it was at that time that the papers began to write it up and they brought a great crowd" Galway won their second All-Ireland that year. He was five going on six and was already "Mad About It".
He played colleges football with St. Jarlath's College
of Tuam. The teenage star of 1947 was destined to become a star at ever level as he made his prodigious talent available to club, county, province, university and country over fifteen years. ’The Master,’ as he was known far and wide from his days as a teacher at Strawberry Hill National School in the parish of Dunmore, had earlier been labelled ’The Boy Wonder’ when he gave a stirring midfield performance to inspire St. Jarlath’s College to their first Hogan Stand success in 1947 beating St. Patrick’s, Armagh, in the All-Ireland at Croke Park.
His footballing career spanned three decades - the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s - but he was surely in his peak in the summer of 1956 when he inspired Galway to their fourth ever All-Ireland success with a powerful display of footballing power in the final remembered for scoring exploits of Frank Stockwell
. His on-field partnership with fellow Galway & Tuam Stars great Stockwell saw the pair earn the sobriquet of the "The Terrible Twins" - a name borne of their almost telepathic understanding when playing together, the two men tore many defences to shreds.
As well as the All-Ireland triumph in '56, there was a League
title in 1957, three Railway Cups
, one of which he captained, the Hogan Cup
success of ’47, a Sigerson Cup
success in 1950, a string of appearances with the Combined Universities side and a quite incredible ten county titles with his native Tuam Stars
, including a seven-in-a-row from 1954 to 1960. There are ’Old timers’ to this day in Tuam who bemoan the fact that there wasn’t an All-Ireland club championship at the time, for the Stars had a side of truly exceptional ability, hubbed around the talent and versatility of Purcell.
His involvement in the GAA continued long after his playing days as he served in a number of positions as team mentor and administrator in Galway.
Purcell's skill as a player was recognised when he was named on the Gaelic Athletic Association
's "Team of the Century" in 1984, and the organisations Gaelic football Team of the Millennium in 1999. Also in 1984,when the Sunday Independent launched their Team of the Century selected by readers by personal choice, the Tuam maestro won more votes for the vital centre half forward position than any player for any other position. It was Ireland’s salute to the greatest of them all. In 1991 he was inducted into the All-Stars All-Time Hall of Fame
. In 2003, he was named on the St. Jarlath’s All Stars team.
In 1999, a new road in Tuam was named after both Purcell and Stockwell. Shortly before his death Purcell was the recipient of an honorary degree at a ceremony at NUI Galway.
Seán Purcell died at the age of 76 on August 27, 2005. His funeral was by far the biggest ever to take place in Tuam, There was a huge outpouring of emotion in the area. The town came to a standstill on Monday 29 August for the arrival of the remains of the GAA legend to his home town. 2,000 mourners lined the streets of Tuam as his cortege passed through. GAA President Sean Kelly
along with Director General of the GAA Liam Mulvihill were present along with a number of former Presidents like Sean McCague from Monaghan, Paddy Buggy from Kilkenny and Jack Boothman from Wicklow while incoming President Nickey Brennan
from Kilkenny was also there. Kelly paid tribute to Purcell for his work off the field of play as well as the joy he brought to the masses by his skill as a player. "An extremely likeable man, he was very modest and always sought to play down his achievements rather than dwell on them.It was always a pleasure to meet him and the entire GAA community, both inside and outside Galway, will miss him deeply". Legendary football stars were in plentiful supply at both the removal and funeral and these included former Dubs manager and player Kevin Heffernan
, Kerry stars Mick O'Connell, Mick O'Dwyer
and Tom Long. Jack Mahon, friend and former team-mate paid tribute to him, describing him as a"A kind and gentle man ... so modest and unassuming", during an emotional eulogy at Tuam Cathedral during his funeral. Galway County Board Chairman Frank Burke described Sean Purcell as the greatest exponent ever of the skills of Gaelic football while Football Board Chairman Pat Egan said that the was an icon of the game.
In April 2007, special plaques honouring three legendary Tuam GAA figures were unveiled at Tuam Stadium. The plaques were erected to mark the lifetime of dedicated service to the stadium by the late Miko Kelly, and the honour and glory brought to the famous venue, and to their town and county by the "Terrible Twins", Frank Stockwell and the great Sean Purcell.
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...
.
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 players of all time. In 2009 he was named in the Sunday Tribune
Sunday Tribune
The Sunday Tribune was an Irish Sunday broadsheet newspaper published by Tribune Newspapers plc. It was edited in its final years by Nóirín Hegarty, who changed both the tone and the physical format of the newspaper from broadsheet to tabloid. Former editors include Conor Brady, Vincent Browne,...
's list of the 125 Most Influential People In GAA History.
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:...
, 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...
, Purcell is widely regarded as Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
's greatest centre-half forward. His affinty with the game began at an early age. In 1934, 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,...
played Cavan
Cavan GAA
The Cavan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Cavan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Cavan...
in Tuam. It was the first big occasion Purcell remembered "The crowd was exceptional for the time because it was at that time that the papers began to write it up and they brought a great crowd" Galway won their second All-Ireland that year. He was five going on six and was already "Mad About It".
He played colleges football 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...
of Tuam. The teenage star of 1947 was destined to become a star at ever level as he made his prodigious talent available to club, county, province, university and country over fifteen years. ’The Master,’ as he was known far and wide from his days as a teacher at Strawberry Hill National School in the parish of Dunmore, had earlier been labelled ’The Boy Wonder’ when he gave a stirring midfield performance to inspire St. Jarlath’s College to their first Hogan Stand success in 1947 beating St. Patrick’s, Armagh, in the All-Ireland at Croke Park.
His footballing career spanned three decades - the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s - but he was surely in his peak in the summer of 1956 when he inspired Galway to their fourth ever All-Ireland success with a powerful display of footballing power in the final remembered for scoring exploits of 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...
. His on-field partnership with fellow Galway & Tuam Stars great Stockwell saw the pair earn the sobriquet of the "The Terrible Twins" - a name borne of their almost telepathic understanding when playing together, the two men tore many defences to shreds.
As well as the All-Ireland triumph in '56, there was a League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
title in 1957, three Railway Cups
Interprovincial Championship
The Interprovincial Championship or Railway Cup is the name of two annual Gaelic football and hurling competetitions held between the provinces of Ireland. The Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Ulster teams are composed of the best players from the various counties in the province...
, one of which he captained, the Hogan Cup
Hogan Cup
The Hogan Cup 1946-48 & 1957-) is the cup presented to the winners of the colleges All-Ireland "A" senior football championship, the top level Gaelic football championship for secondary schools in Ireland. The competition itself is regularly referred to by reference to the trophy's name.St...
success of ’47, a Sigerson Cup
Sigerson Cup
The Sigerson Cup is the top division of Higher Education Gaelic football in Ireland, It is administrated by the Higher Education committee which is part of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
success in 1950, a string of appearances with the Combined Universities side and a quite incredible ten county titles with his native 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...
, including a seven-in-a-row from 1954 to 1960. There are ’Old timers’ to this day in Tuam who bemoan the fact that there wasn’t an All-Ireland club championship at the time, for the Stars had a side of truly exceptional ability, hubbed around the talent and versatility of Purcell.
His involvement in the GAA continued long after his playing days as he served in a number of positions as team mentor and administrator in Galway.
Purcell's skill as a player was recognised when he was named on the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
's "Team of the Century" in 1984, and the organisations Gaelic football Team of the Millennium in 1999. Also in 1984,when the Sunday Independent launched their Team of the Century selected by readers by personal choice, the Tuam maestro won more votes for the vital centre half forward position than any player for any other position. It was Ireland’s salute to the greatest of them all. In 1991 he was inducted into the All-Stars All-Time Hall of Fame
GAA All-Time All-Star Award (Football)
The GAA All-Time All-Star Award in Football was an award given on an annual basis to a sportsperson who had made a long-running and considerable contribution to the sport of Gaelic football in Ireland...
. In 2003, he was named on the St. Jarlath’s All Stars team.
In 1999, a new road in Tuam was named after both Purcell and Stockwell. Shortly before his death Purcell was the recipient of an honorary degree at a ceremony at NUI Galway.
Seán Purcell died at the age of 76 on August 27, 2005. His funeral was by far the biggest ever to take place in Tuam, There was a huge outpouring of emotion in the area. The town came to a standstill on Monday 29 August for the arrival of the remains of the GAA legend to his home town. 2,000 mourners lined the streets of Tuam as his cortege passed through. GAA President Sean Kelly
Sean Kelly
Sean Kelly may refer to:* Sean Kelly , Professor of philosophy at Harvard University* Sean Kelly , Irish professional road bicycle racer...
along with Director General of the GAA Liam Mulvihill were present along with a number of former Presidents like Sean McCague from Monaghan, Paddy Buggy from Kilkenny and Jack Boothman from Wicklow while incoming President Nickey Brennan
Nickey Brennan
Nickey Brennan is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Conahy Shamrocks and with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team in the 1970s...
from Kilkenny was also there. Kelly paid tribute to Purcell for his work off the field of play as well as the joy he brought to the masses by his skill as a player. "An extremely likeable man, he was very modest and always sought to play down his achievements rather than dwell on them.It was always a pleasure to meet him and the entire GAA community, both inside and outside Galway, will miss him deeply". Legendary football stars were in plentiful supply at both the removal and funeral and these included former Dubs manager and player Kevin Heffernan
Kevin Heffernan (Gaelic footballer)
-See also :* List of people on stamps of Ireland*Dublin GAA*Dublin GAA Honours*Dublin Senior Club Football Championship...
, Kerry stars Mick O'Connell, Mick O'Dwyer
Mick O'Dwyer
Mick O'Dwyer , is an Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. He played Gaelic football with his local club Waterville and was a member of the Kerry senior team from 1956 until 1974...
and Tom Long. Jack Mahon, friend and former team-mate paid tribute to him, describing him as a"A kind and gentle man ... so modest and unassuming", during an emotional eulogy at Tuam Cathedral during his funeral. Galway County Board Chairman Frank Burke described Sean Purcell as the greatest exponent ever of the skills of Gaelic football while Football Board Chairman Pat Egan said that the was an icon of the game.
In April 2007, special plaques honouring three legendary Tuam GAA figures were unveiled at Tuam Stadium. The plaques were erected to mark the lifetime of dedicated service to the stadium by the late Miko Kelly, and the honour and glory brought to the famous venue, and to their town and county by the "Terrible Twins", Frank Stockwell and the great Sean Purcell.