The Epic Football Final of 1956

The Connacht Tribune Saturday, October 13, 1956

Introduction

Today I give you the toast of "Galway, All—Ireland Champion Footballers of 1956". Break out the buntings; run up the flags; strike up the bands, to honour those gallant Galway men who they themselves have so signally honoured Galway. 'Twas a long road back and it took eighteen years to travel from that famous day in 1938 when Galway last won the premier football crown. But during those ecstatic final moments of Sunday's epic victory every exultant Galway heart in Croke Park was suddenly aware that each testing trial and every tantalizing tribulation of those eighteen years was well worth while.

This was no ordinary victory because these are no ordinary men! No, this was triumph on the grand scale, achieved in the grand manner. The setting and the story of this memorable match had all the majesty of a Wagnerian Grand Opera.

Picture the scene, Croke Park — hub of the Gaelic world — was itself the massive amphitheatre in which this dramatic performance was presented. The lush green carpet of the famous pitch, was the stage on which the players appeared. The Artane Boys Orchestra played the overture and when the impressive pomp and ceremony of the prologue was completed, the drama commenced. The combined chorus of 70,772 voices present swelled up to a crescendo as scene after thrilling scene was unfolded, up to the final glorious climax. Each and every (principal) player in the talented cast of thirty, had his moments of glory under the spotlight but the outstanding individual star on view was positively peerless Frankie Stockwell from Tuam.

Yes the smallest player there played the biggest role in Galway's victory. His display of football virtuosity as he masterminded Galway's victory plan stamped him as Sports Star of the week and of the year.

The wiles of this elusive will—o—the—wisp had the Cork backs running around in circles — generally the wrong ones—as he foxed his way through their ranks to rattle up a sharp shooting tally of 2 goals 5 points — a grand total which will not be easily duplicated. To make his vintage performance possible, Galway had of course to have other stars in supporting roles. They were there in full measure.

Star Trio

Another of the boys from Bishop Street, solid Sean Purcell, left his mark indelibly on this greatest of all football finals. His pace, power, polish and precision passing stamp him as the outstanding centre—forward in the game.

His aerial acrobatics as he soared high to pluck the ball from the air like a magician, away above the groping fingers of all others and then distribute it with all the great—hearted generosity of a prince distributing largess to his loyal subjects, left both his opponents and the spectators spellbound.

Third member of the team trium—virate — The Three Musketeers from Tuam — was captain courageous Jack Mangan. By precept add example he signposted the way to success by his coolly calculated clearances and his unflinching personal valour when his citadel was under heaviest pressure. Great though his triumph was on the field of play — perhaps a greater still was that when he received the Sam Maguire Cup from Seamus MacFearain, President of the GAA. In his speech of acceptance, Jack Mangan showed that not only is he a great player but also that he is a great gentleman. Here was a man charged with the cares of captaincy in this the greatest of all Gaelic tests and suffering gladly the well—intentioned congratulations of milling thousands of wildly excited supporters. Yet when he spoke calmly and clearly in impeccable Irish and then in faultless English the shining sincerity of his perfectly phrased speech held his hearers' rapt attention and showed them that here indeed Galway had a man well worthy of the greatness thus thrust upon him.

In this, the moment of his great triumph, he was big enough to pay a genuine tribute to the vanquished. Saying that Cork were the most sporting team Galway had ever played, he added: "I think that any youngster starting in this great game could do no better than to copy their example".

While I have singled out those three men for special mention Galway's was essentially a team triumph to which every player contributed handsomely. Behind the scenes was the Brains Trust with Galway's blue—print for victory—director, producer and all—time Galway greats, John Dunne and Brendon Nestor. It was certainly a final worthy of the great occasion. Recall the most thrilling football games you have ever seen, pick out the highlights of each, put them all together and you have the epic final of 1956.

From the very throw—in by His Grace Most Rev Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of Tuam, it was a pulsating battle which had the cheering crowd completely captivated and which ended in terrific excitement as Cork fought desperately but unsuccessfully for an equalizing score. What a pity one team had to lose. It was small wonder that as the crowds streamed from the ground the blue and white of Cork were as proudly worn as the maroon and white of Galway. Although the laurels went to the dynamic. Men of the West' the honours of the game were almost equally shared by a vastly improved Cork throw—in. It was a tense, tough and thrilling game, lit with the brilliance of Galway's glorious football and Cork's never—say—die spirit.

The atmosphere was electric and the pace hectic—yet there was not a single incident to mar its non—stop course. There were warming handclaps all round after the final whistle ended a game that it was a privilege to play in and a pleasure to watch.

While the game had its major triumphs it also had its minor tragedies. Two of those were suffered by Galway's Lieut. Joe Young who sustained a fractured collar bone and another was corner back S. Keeley who sustained a fractured jaw. Both were examined by Dr. Jim Young of Cork after the game.

Most disconsolate man in the Cork camp after the defeat was their towering captain and full back, Donal O'Sullivan. Playing to strict instruction he stuck to the fringe of the square so as to foil Frank Stockwell's plan to lure him out of position and into trouble. As a result Donal stayed put while the brainy Galway full—forward quickly evolved an alternative plan to attack and speedily put it into brilliant operation.

In the traditional ceremonial presentation of the cup in front of the Hogan Stand. Mr. MacFerrain congratulated the Galway captain and his team and said that there was no doubt but that the West was awake that day. Galway were worthy champions in bringing the cup back across the Shannon. He paid a warm tribute to Cork for their wonderful showing and for their fighting finish to give a great Galway team a great game.

Attendance

His Excellency President O'Kelly, who was accompanied by Mrs O'Kelly, watched the match in company of His Grace the Archbishop of Cork, Mor. Rev. Dr. Lucey, and the Bishop of Galway, Most Rev. Dr. Browne.

The attendance also included the Taoiseach, Mr. J. A. Costello, the Tánaiste, Mr. W. Norton, Mr. L. Cosgrave, Minster for External Affairs, Mr. P. O'Donnell, Minister for Local Government, Dr. J. O'Donovan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Government, Mr. M. Donnellan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance, the Bishop of Anchory, Most Ref. Dr. Fergus, the Bishop of Meath, Most Ref. Dr. Kyne, Right Rev. Dr. Green, Bishop of Port Elizabeth.

The Galway team traveled home by car on Monday.

Galway Reception

Galway will accord a civic reception to the footballers on Sunday week, October 21st. The team will be escorted to Eyre Square where they will be welcomed by the Mayor and Corporation. Ald. Greene will entertain the team to dinner in the Imperial Hotel and they will afterwards attend a Victory Ceili in the Hangar Ballroom.
This information was given at the time of going to press.

Galway Footballers had Triumphant Homecoming

A tumultuous reception was accorded the Galway football team, All—Ireland Champions, as they made their triumphant return to the county on Monday night.

In Ballinasloe and along the route to Tuam bands played, bonfires blazed, flags and banners waved while thousands of supporters and well wishers cheered and sang.

In Tuam, home town of Captain Jack Mangan and the other two heroes of the team, Frank Stockwell and Sean Purcell, the footballers were given a civic welcome by the Town Commissioners and were afterwards entertained by the local GAA Club.

Bonfires blazed and fireworks "fizzed" in Ballinasloe when one of the largest gatherings seen for many years met the victorious team. Young and old from the town and district joined forces to give the team a real rousing welcome. Amongst the proudest of those who pushed and jostled their way to the platform was Mrs. M. Campbell, Dunlo Hill, to shake the hand of Frank Stockwell, Tuam, who is married to her granddaughter.

Others who were proud to be there to greet and welcome their sons were Mr. & Mrs. Joe Kirwan and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Daly, whose sons, Gerry Kirwan and Gerry Daly, played their own prominent parts in the victory.

Hundreds of people from Ahascragh and district, who could not wait for the team to pass through to Tuam, also gathered in Ballinasloe Square, not alone to cheer all the members of the team, but to raise a special cheer for their hero, Tom Dillon, who is a native of Ahascragh.

For over an hour before the team was scheduled to arrive in Ballinasloe several hundreds lined up at Creagh, over half a mile from the town, ready with torchlight's to greet the team. When the team arrived almost two hours later the procession had grown to thousands. Some of the oldest inhabitants, who had seen the three previous victory parades in Ballinasloe when Galway won the All—Ireland say that never before have they witnessed such enthusiasm.

Headed by the Loughrea Pipe Band and the torchlight procession, the victorious team later arrived in the Market Square where they were met by the members of the Urban District Council. They were welcomed by

Invitation to New York GAA

Galway Harbour Board, at their meeting on Tuesday, decided to recommend that the Pearse Stadium Committee and the Galway County Football Board invite the Galway hurling and football teams of New York to play the Galway home footballers and hurlers as the inaugural match in the new stadium. The motion was proposed by Mr. G. D. Naughton.

It was also decided that the Harbour Master and Secretary, Lt—Commander J. Whyte, obtain the support of the Football Board and others interested in a request to the Galwaymen's Association of New York to try and arrange that both New York teams would travel by liner direct to Galway.