Relive the glory days as Down swept all before them to lift Sam Maguire

Relive the glory days as Down swept all before them to lift Sam Maguire

23 October 2019

THE countdown is on for a night of nostalgia with the Down 1994 All-Ireland legends when they descend on Loughinisland GAC this Saturday where they will look back at their historic journey which is part of sporting folklore.

However, the night will be tinged with sadness after the sudden passing of the former Down and Bryansford star Eamonn Burns, 56, who won two All-Ireland titles in 1994 and ’94 and managed the county for a three-year spell which ended when he stepped down last year. 

During that tenure he led his Down team to the 2017 Ulster SFC final with wins over neighbours Armagh and Monaghan.

The highlight of Eamonn’s career, undoubtedly, was his two points which helped edge out Meath in 1991, including a point which put the Mourne side into a lead they would not relinquish, finishing with a 1-16 to 1-14 victory.

There will be a special tribute on the night to show Eamonn’s valuable contribution to Down’s glory years.

The celebration is to mark the 25th anniversary of the side’s historic win over Dublin in Croke Park during a poignant year for those in the village and surrounding areas.

A large contingent of the 1994 Down squad will be in attendance, including captain DJ Kane, ‘Mayobridge Flyer’ Mickey Linden, James McCartan, Ross Carr, Downpatrick pair Conor Deegan and Barry Breen, Castlewellan’s Gregory McCartan and Ciaran McCabe, Bryansford’s Brian Burns, Carryduff goalkeeper Neil Collins, and, of course, Loughinisland’s Gary Mason and Gerard Colgan, plus many more. 

Compere for the night will be TV and radio personality Frank Mitchell. The popular presenter will bring plenty of fun and laughter to the proceedings.

The victory came just three months after the Loughinisland massacre which saw six men murdered in The Height Bar by UVF gunmen while they watched Ireland’s 1-0 victory over favourites Italy in World Cup on June 18.

The recently-crowned Ulster champions, complete with the Anglo-Celt Cup, came to Macartan Park on July 28 to play a charity match against a select team of players from Loughinisland, Teconnaught and Drumaness.

The local club is hosting the night to thank the squad and backroom team for coming to the village during a time when the people in the area were reeling after the atrocity.

Former Down and Loughinisland player Alan Molloy, who joined the Mourne squad shortly after the 1994 final and is one of the organisers, said it was a remarkable feat that a small rural club like Loughinisland had three 

medals from the great teams of the 1990s and their achievements had brought much joy and prestige to the club.

He added: “This will be a wonderful opportunity to reminisce with these All-Ireland winners, including Loughinisland men Gary Mason and Gerard Colgan, who gave so much to the county and continue to give so much to our club and community.

“Gary Mason is the proud owner of two medals, from the victories in 1991 and 1994. Whilst Gerard Colgan was playing for An Riocht in 1994, he spent the last of his playing days with Loughinisland. Both players are now passing on their valuable knowledge to the future generations through coaching our underage teams.

“The club is very grateful that so many legends of the 1994 team are returning to spend this evening with us. This will be a relaxed evening where we can sit back and listen to the enthralling stories from those glory days.

“To honour this fantastic achievement, Loughinisland are delighted to host the Down legends from 1994 in a special evening in our clubrooms.

“We will also take time to remember that 1994 was such a difficult year for Loughinisland. Twenty five years on from the massacre we will reflect on the impact of this Down victory for the community, and the uplift that the team brought.

“Not only did the team bring the Anglo-Celt cup, they also came and played at our pitch against a combined Loughinisland, Teconnaught and Drumaness select side, representing all three parishes most impacted. The footballing spirit of the GAA helped the community through these darkest days.”

The organisers have secured the Sam Maguire and Anglo-Celt cups for the event so there will be opportunities on the night to get photographs taken alongside the Down greats and the iconic silverware.

The event will be sponsored by The Irish News and the organising committee would like to thank them for their support and backing.

Tickets priced at £15 can be purchased in O’Toole’s bar, Loughinisland GAC clubrooms, or by contacting the club’s Facebook page, email loughinislandgac@gmail.com, or calling 07761 754207.