Mayor O’Connell to Unveil Plaque to Mick Galwey’s Heroics

Award recipients pictured with former pupil and guest of honour, Mick Galwey at 2006 Castleisland Community College awards ceremony. Included are: Christina Fleming, (left) with: Joanne Brosnan, Kate McSweeney and Suzanne Galvin. ©Photograph: John Reidy 27/10/2006

By the Book: Mick Galwey is joined by Mick Doyle at the launch of his autobiography in Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy 08/12/2002

Castleisland Community College past pupil, Mick Galwey receiving a presentation from teaching staff at the college on Friday. Included are: Jack Nolan (left) Eamon O’Sullivan and Colm Kirwan. ©Photograph: John Reidy 27/10/2006

International Rugby hero Mick Galwey surrounded by a horde of enthusiastic neighbours as he cuts the tape to officially open the Kileentierna Wildlife Park in his native village of Currow. ©photograph: John Reidy 18-12-2000

Attending the Mick Galwey book launch at Castleisland Rugby Club were Kerry football stars: Denis Ogie Moran and Charlie Nelligan. ©Photograph: John Reidy 08/12/2002

Con Houlihan is greeted on his return to his home town by his cousin Caroline Martin – with from left: Mark O’Connor, Billy Browne with Rugby star, Mick Galwey and John Browne. ©Photograph: John Reidy 17-9-2002

Grounded: Mick Galwey gets over the line with former team-mates, Dan Casey (left) and Bill Horgan in a Golden Oldies friendly to celebrate the new surface and floodlighting at The Crageens – the famed Castleisland Rugby Club grounds. ©Photograph: John Reidy 30/08/2008

Jim Barry – who had just celebrated his 90th birthday pictured at the funeral of Michael Doyle with Mick Galwey, Moss Keane, Cllr. Bobby O’Connell and Michael McElligott. ©Photograph: John Reidy 4-8-2002

The late Moss Keane pictured with Cllr. Bobby O’Connell, Mick Galwey and Donal Lenihan in Castleisland on the occasion of the unveiling of the bust to Con Houlihan on January 16-2004. ©Photograph: John Reidy 16/01/2004

Service with a smile: Rugby star Mick Galwey joined his sister, Frances and her husband Tim McCarthy (left) at the check-out of their Currow supermarket on Sunday morning. Included are: Mary Butler with Michael and Michelle Cunningham and Fr. Pat Sugrue. ©Photograph: John Reidy 8-12-2002

The late John Browne (left) pictured with two of his Shannon boys, Mike Cronin and Mick Galwey – with his little girl, Neasa at a Kerry County Council reception in Galwey’s honour at the River Island Hotel. ©Photograph: John Reidy July 5-2000.

Mick Galwey pictured with his late mother, Bridget and the late Moss Keane at a reception in Currow in Galwey’s honour on the occasion of his selection to the 1993 British and Irish Lions New Zealand touring side. ©Photograph: John Reidy 31-3-1993.

A reminder from Kerry County Council that the Cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District Area, Cllr. Bobby O’Connell will unveil a plaque at Dooneen Roundabout, Castleisland on Friday, September 18th 2015 at 7pm
The plaque and roundabout are to be dedicated to Mick Galwey, Currow native, former Irish Rugby International and Munster Rugby player and All-Ireland  For Mayor O’Connell it will be one of the most pleasant tasks of his tenure as the two men are good friends.
According to his Wikipedia profile, Galwey was a key figure in Shannon R.F.C.’s side during their famous ‘Four in a row’ winning streak of All- Ireland League titles in the late 1990s.
Throughout his career Galwey proved to be an inspirational leader, a leader by example, who could inspire and motivate players around him to punch above their collective weights.
No Panic
He instilled a ‘don’t panic’ and professional attitude in his Shannon team which later would become the hallmarks of Munster Rugby during his tenancy as captain, the effects of which can still be seen today.
Galwey’s involvement in the Irish national squad was more of a mixed bag. Making his debut in 1991 against France, his11-year international career was rarely without controversy. Owing to the often baffling selection decisions of various national coaches and selectors, Galwey became the most dropped player in international history.
He fought his way back onto the Irish squad, becoming the team’s captain ten years after he made his debut. In the 1993 Five Nations Championship match against England, Galwey rounded off a fine display in the 17–3 defeat by scoring the only try of the game. His efforts were rewarded later that year when he was selected for the Lions tour to New Zealand. Galwey is seen as a legend of the sport in his native Munster and particularly in Limerick.
Gaelic Football
Before becoming a Rugby player he played Gaelic football with Kerry. His first success at intercounty level came in 1986 when he was part of the Kerry team that won that year’s All Ireland, Galway played in the semi final win over Meath. The following year he won a Munster Under 21 Championship medal and later played in the All Ireland final but his side lost out to Donegal. In 1989 he played his second and last championship game with Kerry in the Munster Championship first round win over Limerick a game that he also captained the side in.
At club level he played with his local Currow GAA Club. The club has produced three other Irish Rugby Internationals Moss Keane, Mick Doyle and Tommy Doyle – and more recently Siobhán Fleming and JJ Hanrahan and the conveyor belt is still turning.
He played a key part in helping Currow win their first Kerry Junior Football Championship in 1988 when they beat Rathmore in the final.

St. Kieran’s
He also played with the St.Kieran’s divisional team. In 1988 he helped them to win their first and to date only Kerry Senior Football Championship title.
Record
His rugby record includes: 41 caps for Ireland, four times as captain and scorer of three tries 1993 Lions tour to New Zealand; 130 caps for Munster, 85 as captain, 1 Celtic League; 10 Munster senior cups and 6 All Ireland Leagues with Shannon R.F.C. 113 games for Shannon in the AIL, scoring 28 tries; dropped 17 times by Ireland selectors, reinstated 16 times. He has coached Shannon to 2 AIL victories and 2 Munster Senior Cups.