1982 SFC Winners
Sadness, Pride, Relief and Regret.
These are the words which jump into my mind when I think about that magical year. Sadness that some of the great contributors are no longer with us. John Mohan and Seamus Callaghan were prominent players that year and Tommy Murray with Benny McDermott, on the line and on the training field, were driving forces behind our progress. R.I.P. to these proud Roslea men – and the relatives and friends of all the panel who are no longer with us.
Pride at what we achieved that year. Roslea won six Championship matches in 1982. This reflects the quality of our players, the football knowledge of our mentors and the wholehearted support of the Club and the parish – and the county when we ventured into Ulster! The records show that we won a Fermanagh Senior Championship in 1982 but it’s hard to forget our exploits in defeating the SFC champions of Armagh, Carrickcruppin, of Monaghan, Castleblayney, and of Down, Castlewellan!
Relief that after 20 years the New York Gold Cup was coming up the street in Roslea to it’s resting place in Callaghan’s window! And this after a couple of years of major disappointment!
Which brings me to Regret. Defeat to St. Gall’s, Antrim, in the Ulster Club Final on 14th November was and still is a bitter pill to swallow. They were deserving winners on the day and my regret is that a lot of us didn’t perform as well as we had done in the previous matches. Looking back at it now it’s a terrible pity we didn’t get over the line that day. But that’s sport for you – and you just have to live with it. I honestly think the regret grows as I get older. How come we can’t continually savour the good days but instead find ourselves more inclined to ask “what if”?
I regularly see some of the players from that panel but I’m looking forward to chatting all those who make it to this reunion at the end of August. It’ll be good to hear their thoughts on 1982. Of course Tommy Callaghan, part of the 1982 management, is the man with the most footballing memories of us all. He can talk about the 50s/60s Championships as well as the 1982 SFC – so he’ll have to be put over a few games!
It’s probably no coincidence that 1982 was the year Brewster Park opened in Enniskillen and became the central county ground in Fermanagh. I say this because the wide open spaces on this Prunty Pitch were made by a Roslea man for the likes of Paddy, Francie and the McGeoughs, Red and Peter. Liam and Paddy, helped out by Seamus, relished the freedom of the middle third of this magnificent pitch and ensured a constant supply to the target man – either Sean or Benny. The room at the back didn’t cause Seamie, Len, Aidan, Gerry, John, Gerard or Gerry (Nasher) any serious problems and that was much appreciated by Kevin or Jim in goals. Always willing to put their shoulder to the wheel when required on this fine surface were Seamus and Kenny! I liked playing on this pitch as well.
One memory that has stayed with me from that campaign is a few words delivered at me by a friend and Railway Cup colleague, Nudie Hughes, in our Ulster Club game in Castleblayney. As we went to our positions at the start of the game Nudie made it his business to come to me and welcomed me to ‘Blayney and wished me the very best of luck and an enjoyable game. With a few minutes left and Roslea winning comfortably I was taking a free and Nudie ran past me and commented “ I hope you miss it you big, long drink of water you McGinty!” It’s funny the things you remember!
