Gary Fahey
Encyclopedia
Gary Fahey is a former All-Ireland winning Gaelic football
er who captained Galway
in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
.
His reputation as an excellent full-back in the annals of Galway football is assured, with five Connacht Senior medals and two All-Ireland medals which is a terrific personal haul.
Fahey’s intercounty career began in 1992 when he joined the Galway panel after playing a crucial role for the Sigerson Cup
winning UCG
team. Seán Óg De Paor
was captain that year and Niall Finnegan also played when the Galway college defeated a star-studded Queens University Belfast side in Pearse Stadium, Galway. He made his debut in the summer of ’92 when he came on as a substitute against Mayo
in Castlebar. Galway were defeated on the day and remained in the football wilderness after defeats to Leitrim
in 1993 and ’94. It wasn’t until 1995
that they finally managed to win the Connacht title under Bosco McDermott. They defeated Mayo in the glorious sunshine in Tuam Stadium: their first provincial title in 8 years. Galway narrowly lost to Tyrone GAA|Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Mayo under the guidance of John Maughan defeated Galway in both the 1996 and 1997 Connacht campaigns where they also lost both subsequent All-Ireland finals. John O'Mahony
, who had brought Connacht titles to both Mayo and Leitrim, was announced as the new Galway manager in September 1997 after Val Daly's
sole year in charge. The Mayo native then presided over what was to be a glorious period in Galway football with Fahey a central cog in the team.
Galway football supporters will never forget 1998
when their county defeated Kildare
in the All-Ireland final to end 32 years of anguish. Gary Fahey had a great game at full-back that day and his tussle with Kildare’s Karl O’Dwyer was a feature of the final. The journey to the Holy Grail and Sam Maguire
had started with a pulsating contest against who else but Mayo in Castlebar
in May 98. It was here that the seeds of success were sown for a Galway team that badly needed to overcome their arch rivals to silence the doubters. Their 1-13 to 2-06 was the catalyst for an amazing season for Galway, who followed up with victories over Leitrim, Roscommon
in the Connacht final and Derry
in the semi-final.
Fahey had soldiered on the panel for six year’s before that magnificent All-Ireland victory and in the next 4 year’s he would play in some of the biggest games in Galway’s history. In 1999, an unfortunate hamstring injury kept him out of the Connacht Final, an injury that many believe that cost Galway that day against Mayo in Tuam Stadium
. He returned refreshed for the 2000 season
where the Tribesmen re-claimed the Connacht title after defeating Leitrim before narrowly losing to Kerry in the All-Ireland Final after a replay. According to Fahey, "The 2000 final was the one that got away because we had the chances at the end of the first game to take the title."
Galway began the 2001 championship season
very badly when Roscommon ambushed them in Tuam but through the new ’back-door’ system they embarked on a sensational run of victories over Wicklow
, Cork, Armagh
, Roscommon (again) and Derry before clashing with Meath
in the All-Ireland final. The initial Roscommon defeat was gut wrenching but with Alan Keane coming in as goalkeeper and Tomas Mannion reverting to centre-back Galway were an invigorated outfit.
Galway trounced Meath in the final by nine points to make up for the previous year against Kerry and in the process Fahey collected his second Celtic Cross. He also had the great honour of lifting the Sam Maguire trophy as captain, joining the likes of Galway men Jack Mangan and Enda Colleran
.
Galway managed to win the Connacht title again in both 2002
and 2003
but fell short when it came to All-Ireland glory.
John O’Mahony departed in 2004 and Fahey retired from inter-county football shortly after.
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er who captained Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
.
His reputation as an excellent full-back in the annals of Galway football is assured, with five Connacht Senior medals and two All-Ireland medals which is a terrific personal haul.
Fahey’s intercounty career began in 1992 when he joined the Galway panel after playing a crucial role for the Sigerson Cup
Sigerson Cup
The Sigerson Cup is the top division of Higher Education Gaelic football in Ireland, It is administrated by the Higher Education committee which is part of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
winning UCG
UCG
UCG may refer to:* University of Montenegro * Underground coal gasification, a gasification process carried on in non-mined coal seams using injection and production wells drilled from the surface...
team. Seán Óg De Paor
Seán Óg De Paor
Seán Óg de Paor is a former inter-county footballer for Galway.De Paor comes from An Cheathrú Rua in the Connemara Gaeltacht, where he attended the local national school, Scoil Mhic Dara...
was captain that year and Niall Finnegan also played when the Galway college defeated a star-studded Queens University Belfast side in Pearse Stadium, Galway. He made his debut in the summer of ’92 when he came on as a substitute against Mayo
Mayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
in Castlebar. Galway were defeated on the day and remained in the football wilderness after defeats to Leitrim
Leitrim GAA
The Leitrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Leitrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Leitrim. The county board is also responsible for the Leitrim inter-county teams.-Gaelic football:In the 1924 Connacht...
in 1993 and ’94. It wasn’t until 1995
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1995
-All-Ireland Final:-See also:...
that they finally managed to win the Connacht title under Bosco McDermott. They defeated Mayo in the glorious sunshine in Tuam Stadium: their first provincial title in 8 years. Galway narrowly lost to Tyrone GAA|Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Mayo under the guidance of John Maughan defeated Galway in both the 1996 and 1997 Connacht campaigns where they also lost both subsequent All-Ireland finals. John O'Mahony
John O'Mahony (Mayo politician)
John O'Mahony is an Irish Fine Gael politician and former football manager. He is currently a Teachta Dála for the Mayo constituency. He was elected at the 2007 general election...
, who had brought Connacht titles to both Mayo and Leitrim, was announced as the new Galway manager in September 1997 after Val Daly's
Val Daly
Val Daly is a former inter-county footballer for GalwayOriginally from Mountbellew, Daly made his debut with the county side in the 1981 National League and played up until the 1997 Championship season when he was player manager....
sole year in charge. The Mayo native then presided over what was to be a glorious period in Galway football with Fahey a central cog in the team.
Galway football supporters will never forget 1998
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1998
The 1998 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was the 112th edition of the GAA's premier gaelic football competition. It was played from May to September, 1998. Galway's victory marked the first time in 32 years the Sam Maguire Cup returned to the county and the province of Connacht...
when their county defeated Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
in the All-Ireland final to end 32 years of anguish. Gary Fahey had a great game at full-back that day and his tussle with Kildare’s Karl O’Dwyer was a feature of the final. The journey to the Holy Grail and Sam Maguire
Sam Maguire
Samuel Maguire , an Irish republican and Gaelic footballer, is chiefly remembered as the eponym of the Sam Maguire Cup, given to the All-Ireland Senior Champions of Gaelic football.-Early life:...
had started with a pulsating contest against who else but Mayo in Castlebar
McHale Park
McHale Park is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland. It is the home of the Castlebar Mitchels and Mayo Gaelic football teams...
in May 98. It was here that the seeds of success were sown for a Galway team that badly needed to overcome their arch rivals to silence the doubters. Their 1-13 to 2-06 was the catalyst for an amazing season for Galway, who followed up with victories over Leitrim, Roscommon
Roscommon GAA
For more details of Roscommon GAA see Roscommon Senior Club Football Championship or Roscommon Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Roscommon County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Roscommon GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games...
in the Connacht final and Derry
Derry GAA
The Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Derry GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. It is responsible for Gaelic games in the GAA county of Derry, which covers virtually the same territory as the former administrative county of Londonderry...
in the semi-final.
Fahey had soldiered on the panel for six year’s before that magnificent All-Ireland victory and in the next 4 year’s he would play in some of the biggest games in Galway’s history. In 1999, an unfortunate hamstring injury kept him out of the Connacht Final, an injury that many believe that cost Galway that day against Mayo in Tuam Stadium
St. Jarlath's Park
St. Jarlath's Park is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. It is one of the principal stadia of Galway GAA's football and hurling teams. The ground has a capacity of 25,000.The official opening of the stadium took place on May 21st 1950...
. He returned refreshed for the 2000 season
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2000
-Munster Senior Football Championship:---------------------Ulster Senior Football Championship:-------------------------------------Round robin stage:------------------------...
where the Tribesmen re-claimed the Connacht title after defeating Leitrim before narrowly losing to Kerry in the All-Ireland Final after a replay. According to Fahey, "The 2000 final was the one that got away because we had the chances at the end of the first game to take the title."
Galway began the 2001 championship season
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2001
-Munster Senior Football Championship:---------------------Ulster Senior Football Championship:-------------------------------------Leinster Senior Football Championship:----------------------------------------...
very badly when Roscommon ambushed them in Tuam but through the new ’back-door’ system they embarked on a sensational run of victories over Wicklow
Wicklow GAA
The Wicklow County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wicklow GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wicklow...
, Cork, Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
, Roscommon (again) and Derry before clashing with Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
in the All-Ireland final. The initial Roscommon defeat was gut wrenching but with Alan Keane coming in as goalkeeper and Tomas Mannion reverting to centre-back Galway were an invigorated outfit.
Galway trounced Meath in the final by nine points to make up for the previous year against Kerry and in the process Fahey collected his second Celtic Cross. He also had the great honour of lifting the Sam Maguire trophy as captain, joining the likes of Galway men Jack Mangan and Enda Colleran
Enda Colleran
Enda Colleran was an Irish Gaelic football manager and player. He played football with his local club Tuam Stars and was a member of the Galway senior inter-county team from 1961 until 1971. Colleran captained Galway to back-to-back All-Ireland titles in 1965 and 1966 and later served as manager...
.
Galway managed to win the Connacht title again in both 2002
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2002
-Munster Senior Football Championship:-----------------------------Ulster Senior Football Championship:-------------------------------------Leinster Senior Football Championship:--------------------------------...
and 2003
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2003
The 2003 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was won by Tyrone in a landmark final that was the first All-Ireland final that was contested by two teams from the same province, Tyrone, and Armagh - both from Ulster....
but fell short when it came to All-Ireland glory.
John O’Mahony departed in 2004 and Fahey retired from inter-county football shortly after.