BREAKING NEW GROUND… St Mary’s team that defeated St Patrick’s, Drumcondra in Croke Park in November 1956 in an annual challenge. St Patrick’s won the return game in Belfast in May ‘57. Back row: JJ Treacey (Fermanagh), Sean O’Connell (Derry), Hugh Flanagan (Fermanagh), Val McCaul (Tyrone), Sean McGuckin, James McGirr (Derry), Colm O’Neill (Derry), Liam Logan (Antrim), Seamus Gribben (Derry). Front row: Pat Casey (Tyrone), Harry Hoy (Armagh), Jimmy Donnelly (Down), Liam Gribben (Derry), Danny O’Connor Antrim), Brendan Burns (Fermanagh), Dinny McKeever (Derry)

‘THE Passing of the Flame’ seems like an incredibly appropriate name for the St Mary’s University reunion event that will celebrate the part they have played in Gaelic games since the 1950s.

September’s get together, which is supported by Ulster GAA and all nine counties, will celebrate the college’s greatest achievements, such as their Sigerson wins in 1989 and earlier this year, but, equally as important, what their alumni have brought to the GAA world.

What has been taught at St Mary’s has been shared far and wide. Countless schools, clubs and counties have benefitted from the expertise of ‘Ranchers’ with many of the province’s current managers having studied there. It has also ensured a rich tapestry for those starting out their journey at the Fall’s Road institution.

The thread of St Mary’s runs through so many players, managers and supporters and the event hopes to encapsulate this.

The organisers of the event are appealing for people to send any sort of memorabilia that may prove useful for the exhibition.

“If anybody has – and they will have – material in the forms of photographs, cuttings, jerseys, any form of memorabilia, if they get to our contacts in their own county it would be greatly appreciated,” said former Ranch student Jimmy Smyth.

The event will bring the history of St Mary’s GAA to life. It will tell the tale of 1956 team which featured three Derry players who would go on to play for the county in the ’58 All-Ireland final loss to Dublin.

It will demonstrate the influence Jim McKeever has played on students coming through St Mary’s, and explain how that influence has been felt across the country and further afield.

It will, of course, dedicate space to those famous Sigerson wins with the ’89 team having partners in crime after the incredible exploits of Paddy Tally’s side earlier this year.

The reunion is already attracting massive interest. Former Derry star Malachy McAfee is one of those who be present as he is planning to travel all the way from Australia.

Those who wish to provide display material and mementos have until July 4th to get in touch with their county contacts, which are listed below.

If you are interested in attending September’s reunion, please email Eilis McAteer at e.a.mcateer@smucb.ac.uk or phone 028 90327678.

County contacts for memorabilia
Antrim: paddydiamond47@gmail.com (Paddy Diamond); cmcabe74@mail.com (Carl McCabe); hpmcgettigan@hotmail.com (Hugh McGettigan); rpgatt2@yahoo.ie (Rafael Gatt)
Armagh: smythjimmy@hotmail.com (Jimmy Smyth); rodgersstm@talktalk.net (Tommy Rodgers); oshort27@gmail.com (Oliver Short)
Derry: Sbradley707@googlemail.com (Sean Bradley); kevintoner1@hotmail.co.uk (Kevin Toner); dquinn3838@hotmail.co.uk (Danny Quinn)
Down: barneymcaleennan@gmail.com (Barney McAleenan); pjmcgee@mac.com (PJ McGee); peadarhynes@hotmail.com (Peadar Hynes)
Fermanagh: pat@patrickblakegroup.com (Pat Blake); peterjmcginnity@yahoo.ie (Peter McGinnity)
Tyrone: donalmagee@btinternet.com (Donal Magee); p.tally@smucb.ac.uk (Paddy Tally); paddylinden@hotmail.com (Paddy Linden); Patrickmcgivern@btinternet.com (Pat McGivern)