Oliver Mulvey finally gets his minor medal 60 years later...

During the Covid-19 lockdown Mullingar Shamrocks GAA club consistently posted a ‘Remember the Team’ feature on its social media platforms and in its newspaper notes. The 1961 county championship winning minor team captained by Kevin Nugent was featured last February.

This team defeated St Brigid’s (Moate) 2-7 to 1-6 in the final with both goals scored by Terry O’Dowd.

One member of that team Oliver Mulvey read the feature. Oliver, who now lives in the Athlone area, never received his medal for his part in that victory. As Oliver recalled it on the Sunday evening of the medal presentation, he had to go back to his digs in Ferbane to be in time for work on Monday morning where he was employed as an apprentice by Bórd na Móna.

After reding the feature, Oliver did some detective work and contacted Mullingar Shamrocks PRO Tom Hunt and explained the situation.

After hearing of Oliver’s tale of omission, the Mullingar Shamrocks executive decided to do what was right and proper and rectify the situation. A Westmeath championship medal was ordered from Liam Boggs and appropriately engraved and at the conclusion of the Garrycastle v Mullingar Shamrocks league match last Friday night, Mullingar Shamrocks chairman Seán Hynes made a special presentation of the medal and a team photograph to Oliver to the applause of the Shamrocks senior panel who recognised Oliver’s contribution to a victory almost 60 years ago.

Oliver was proud and thrilled to finally receive his medal and to be honoured in the company of his extended family made the occasion extra special and memorable.

Mullingar Shamrocks executive thanks Liam Boggs and Paddy Caulfield for helping to make the presentation possible and the Garrycastle club for facilitating the occasion.