Mick Gill won two All-Irelands in 1924.
By Cian O’Connell
“He never lost his love for the game, for Croke Park, and for Galway,” Paddy Gill says about his father, Mick Gill, who remains a distinguished figure in GAA history.
Remarkably, Gill earned two All-Ireland SHC medals in the same year. With his native Galway, Gill won the 1923 title, but the final wasn’t played until September 14, 1924. Three months later, Gill was part of a successful Dublin outfit against Galway on December 14.
Work with An Garda Síochana brought Gill to the capital in November 1923. Gill finished out the campaign with Galway, but days after that adventure concluded, he was asked to play for Dublin, and further success followed. Gill subsequently claimed another All-Ireland with Dublin in 1927.
The introduction of the ‘Declaration Rule’ enabled Gill to return to play for Galway between 1931 and 1938.
Winning a couple of All-Irelands in 1924 with two different counties was quite an achievement. “He knew how much it meant to do it, he was thrilled at the time,” Paddy Gill says.
“No matter where we went, and we went to Croke Park regularly and to matches all over the country, particularly when he visited his relations in Galway, hurling was still major on the agenda.
“The Galway people, they loved the fact that he won an All-Ireland with them. You played for the county you lived in, so when he took up residence in Dublin, he played in Dublin. That didn't matter, he loved the game.”
That grá for sport has been passed through the generations in the extended family. Relatives of Mick Gill continue to serve the GAA and other sporting codes with distinction.
Galway won the 1923 All-Ireland SHC title, but the final wasn't played until September 1924.
The father of Mick Bermingham, Dublin's first hurling All-Star, was a first cousin of Mick Gill's. Grand nephews Tom and Christy Helebert hurled at senior level with Galway. Another grand nephew, Gerry Fahy, has been a key coaching contributor throughout the decades, making a welcome return to the inter-county arena with Offaly U20 footballers in 2025. His brother, PJ Fahy, steered Galway ladies to All-Ireland glory in 2004.
Keith Carr has given sterling service to Ballinderreen and various club and county teams. Declan and Darragh Sheridan, who also had a stint as a youngster with Aston Villa, sported the Galway United shirt with real distinction.
Ollie Keogh was one of the most skilful footballers in Galway United’s history. His sister and Mick Gill’s grand niece, Bernie Lynch, represented the Republic of Ireland at underage level in soccer. Recently, great grand nieces, Emma Helebert and Lisa Casserly, have won All-Ireland camogie medals with Galway too. Great grand nephews also delivered.
Jason Molloy forged a hugely impressive career in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland, while Shane Keogh also played at that level for Galway United. Everywhere you turn there is an interesting sporting story of some description.
The next crop are beginning to make an impact too with Ballinderreen, St Thomas’, Kinvara, and Athenry all featuring promising hurlers at U11 level, who are related to Mick Gill. “I can tell you, from the time I could walk, he walked me down to Croke Park every Sunday,” Paddy Gill recalls about those cherished days that are etched in his mind.
“Whenever there was a big match, he always met old friends of his from the hurling, they had a gathering place in the Old Nally Stand. You'd have Kilkenny hurlers, Tipperary hurlers, county didn't matter, they just loved the game.”
Hurling simply dominated the conversations. “Three or four of them would then march over to Tommy Moore's pub, which isn't there anymore, but it was right beside the pro Cathedral, about 100 yards in from O'Connell Street,” Paddy Gill remembers.
“That was his meeting place, hurling was the topic every day we were there. I still remember it, from barely when I could walk, we lived in Phibsboro, near Doyle's Corner. It was a 15 or 20 minute walk to Croke Park, but he marched me down as soon as I could walk.
One of Mick Gill's All-Ireland SHC medals.
"He'd lift me over the stile into Croke Park. I spent many a year, even when I grew up, going to matches in Croke Park, it has always been in my blood. I tried to play the game myself, but I was never any good.”
Paddy Gill is being modest there. What sticks out, though, is how his parents helped him along the way in life. “He got married in Leinster Street near Doyle's Corner,” Paddy Gill adds.
“It was my home place, that is where I was brought up and studied. When I got to college, I cycled from there myself over to the old UCD in Stephen's Green. They have a newer place now, but that is the college I remember going to, getting my degree in. So, once I got my degree, I joined Bord Na Mona, and I stayed all my life with them.
“He never gave up his love for the GAA, he attended every match he could. When I got married, we were in various Bord Na Mona locations, Mullingar, Rathangan, and then I moved over here to Newbridge. Every chance he got, he would come down to Mullingar or to Rathangan or even here to Newbridge, as often as he could. I've great memories of him.”
Galway was always close to his heart, though, and frequent trips were made to the west. That was his home place, Ballinderreen,” he says. “From the time I could walk, I was down there on holidays. He loved the Galway Races, particularly. Every year, he used to park opposite the track, the other side of the hill, where the stand was looking out.
“He had relations, he used to park with them, we'd climb over walls, and walk across to the stands. He just loved the Galway Races. As long as he lived, he went to the Galway Races every year.”
Before Galway ended a hurling famine in 1980, Paddy Downey in the Irish Times, spoke with Mick Gill. Downey wrote: “In spirit, Mick Gill, at 81 is still a young man; in physical condition he is younger than his years. You can tell by his powerful wrists and hands, that he was a hurler.”
An effective one, who enjoyed a productive 1924. “It is quite remarkable, here we are in 2024, and he achieved that in 1924,” his son acknowledges. Mick Gill’s contribution to Galway and Dublin hurling won’t be forgotten.
