Galway's Noel Tierney and Martin Newell, in action during the 1966 All-Ireland SFC Final against Meath at Croke Park. Photo by: Connolly Collection/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
Noel Tierney will always be spoken about fondly in Galway.
The celebrated three-in-a-row team remain cherished in the west. Silverware was attained at Croke Park during a glittering era for the maroon and white outfit.
There was a gathering last week for Tierney, a totemic figure in Milltown and Galway’s sporting history. Galway’s acclaimed full back on the 1964-66 team sadly passed away on Monday.
Two Keenan brothers, John and Tommy, were part of that Galway set-up. Tierney’s relevance to the Galway cause is acknowledged by Tommy Keenan. “He was the anchor at full back, you knew every ball that went in, that he was going to soar into the sky to catch it,” Keenan recalls.
“That would give us all a great lift, to see the ball coming back out again. So, we'd all up our performance on account of that. He'd inspire you, really.”
Tierney’s fielding and aerial ability is still discussed. “He had that innate thing he was born with - a spring,” Keenan explains. “It was like a salmon leaping straight up. He could easily do three feet of a leap from a standing position.
“Then, he had two marvellous hands altogether, you needed to see the size of his hands, he was able to grab the ball, the leather at that time.
“He could kick with left and right, he was as strong as an ox. Really, when I say he was strong, he was strong, strong arms, strong legs, and a strong body. He was unique really, he was a great physical specimen.”
In pure Galway football territory, eight miles divides Milltown and Dunmore. Keenan recalls the Milltown versus Dunmore MacHales battles. Undoubtedly, a rivalry exists, but there is respect, too. “He had it all as a full back,” Keenan beams.
“Sometimes, he'd like to venture out the field, especially when Milltown would be playing Dunmore. Séamus Leyden, who died a year and a half ago, he was marvellous altogether. Tierney would always love to go out to mark him, we'd be delighted when he did that. Full back was his position.
“It was a totally different game playing half back compared to half forward, especially on the wing, we'd be delighted when he moved out because it opened up the space in front of goal for us.”
1964 Footballer of the Year Noel Tierney pictured with 2024 Footballer of the Year Paul Conroy last week.
One match, in particular, is etched in Keenan’s mind. “We played them in a league final in '64, we were leading 1-8 to 0-1 at half-time,” he says. “The final score, we won 1-9 to 1-8, that was some comeback by them in the second half. We thought we had it at half-time, but they really fought back.”
On the national stage Galway were setting the standard. Keenan relished being part of a distinguished Galway panel. “You'd always think about those days, you'd never forget those days,” Keenan replies.
Friendships were formed. “To see the likes of Johnny Geraghty in goal, Bosco (McDermott) and Enda Colleran, corner backs, Noel Tierney at full back; they had this understanding, Tierney went for the ball, the other two lads minded any corner forwards that were there, they kept them quiet,” Keenan says.
“Then, in the half back line you had (Seán) Meade, and he aided Tierney. Meade gave Tierney an avenue to come out with the ball by clearing out the centre forward. So, they were all physically strong.
“Martin Newell is in a picture, he jumped as high as Tierney for one ball in 1966. In that picture, he was jumping as high as Tierney. John Donnellan was on the other wing, they were all masters of their own positions, really.”
Everywhere you turned there was a star. “You had the two Micks in midfield, Garrett and Reynolds,” he reflects. Pateen Donnellan could alternate there too, Pateen was like a dynamo. Pateen was only about 5'8 in height, max, playing midfield, a super player.”
There was class in attack. “You had big Mattie (McDonagh) centre forward, he was the Daddy of the team from the '56 team, he'd soak up the punishment,” Keenan says.
“He'd release the ball to Séamus Leyden. They got a magnificent goal in the 1965 league final against Kerry, the winners of that game were going to the States for the overall League final.
“Kerry were leading by a point. Mattie picked up the ball, dubiously, they said, it was close to the ground, but he released Leyden, and Leyden banged it to the next over (Johnny) Culloty's head.
“That was our ticket to New York for three fabulous weeks in '65. We had Cyril Dunne, a great free taker. That is one of the big skills that has been lost in GAA. I think any frees to be scored should be taken off the ground. Nowadays, taking them off the hand, it isn't the same skill as taking them off the ground. Cyril Dunne was a fabulous free taker.
“I remember they played a Railway Cup match once, Connacht and Ulster. You had Seán O'Neill for Ulster and Cyril Dunne for Connacht. Cyril Dunne pointed 15 of Connacht's 16 points off the ground. O'Neill did much the same for Ulster, he got about 12. Taking frees off the ground is a great skill.”
Noel Tierney featured on a successful Galway team in the 1960s.
The full-forward line carried a potent threat. “Inside you had Seán Cleary, he was a very cute full forward,” Keenan says. “I think he was under rated, really, he was a cute scorer, he'd always come out with a point or two, either fisted or off the foot. Then, you had Christy Tyrell in the corner, he was very intelligent, altogether. He could take positions wide, to make space - a very good forward. My brother John was in the other corner, he was a great man for scoring points over his right shoulder.”
In 1966 when the three-in-a-row was completed, new heroes emerged. “Liam Sammon, Jimmy Duggan, and Coilin McDonagh got the third one,” Keenan says.
“They came in for '66, Jimmy Duggan was only out of minor, he played very well at midfield for a young lad. Coilin at half back, he took John Donnellan's place. John Donnellan was injured.
“We played a county final two weeks before that, John Donnellan came on for us, we were playing (Fr) Griffins in a county final. He played very well, it looked like John Donnellan would be back for the final, but Coilin held his place for the final.
“John Donnellan came on in the last 10 minutes. Then, you had Liam Sammon. Christy Tyrell was injured early in '66, Liam Sammon came on for Christy, who was a sub in '66.
“They were the three lads and they blended in well with the team. Liam Sammon got a great point in '66 in the first half from the right, from a distance.”
It was a special time for Galway. Keenan thoroughly enjoyed the trips to the capital. “We'd head off for Dublin on a Saturday,” he says. “Bertie Coleman would bring us, sure it was like going into another world. It was a great adventure.
“We'd stay in the Aisling on Saturday and Sunday night, then we'd appear at things when we'd meet afterwards, maybe a bar, you'd have everyone looking up at you. It was really a great time, to get a touch of the limelight like that.”
Keenan is still passionate about all matters Galway. Two of his sons, Tommie Junior and Fran, are providing valuable guidance for an emerging crop of players in the St James’ and Claregalway clubs. Another son, Brian, has been a key figure in helping to restore Dunmore back to the senior ranks. Developing players for the future, but the connection with the past brings so much.
Galway football will always matter and be close to their hearts. So, to see Paul Conroy and Noel Tierney talk last week meant a lot. “Paul Conroy did a great touch when he came to Tierney's thing in Milltown,” Keenan says admiringly.
“It was a great touch. In Tierney's time they were called Caltex Awards, there was a petrol called Caltex with the star mark. They sponsored the awards, it was a great touch, Tierney winning it in '64, and Paul winning it this year.”
Noel Tierney won three All-Ireland SFC medals, five Connacht SFC titles, one National League, two Railways Cups, and a Galway SFC with Milltown in 1971.
