Westmeath Man Gets Minor Championship Medal 60 Years On

Sunday, 11 July 2021 at 14:12

This story is a heartwarming one.

Imagine winning a minor county title and not receiving your reward.

That was the case for Mullingar's Oliver Mulvey who was part of the 1961 championship winning side but didn't get his medal on the day or the next one or for the next 60 years.

That was until last Sunday when he was presented with it, still proud as punch of the achievement.

Here's how it all happened:

During the Covid-19 Lockdown Mullingar Shamrocks consistently posted a ‘Remember the Team’ feature on its social media platforms and in its newspaper notes.

The 1961 county champion 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 one Terry O’Dowd.

One member of that team Oliver Mulvey read the feature. Oliver never received his medal for his part in that victory. As Oliver recalled it on the Sunday evening of the medal presentation Oliver 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 reading 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 Mullingar Shamrocks-Garrycastle match on Friday night, Mullingar Shamrocks chairman Seán Hynes made a special presentation of the medal and a team photograph to Oliver to the applause of our 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 wish to thank Liam Boggs and Paddy Caulfield for helping to make the presentation possible and to the Garrycastle Club for facilitating the occasion.