The growth and development of the GAA in rural Westmeath is a truly fantastic story and nowhere is it more evident than in Tyrrellspass, where Gaelic games were recorded in the early part of the 20th century.
The Tyrrellspass GAA Club was officially formed in 1961 after many years of experimenting with different teams, including the Tyrrellspass Stars of the 1930s and the legendary Toar and Town sides of the ‘20s. They tasted Junior and Intermediate success, before going senior in 1983 and again in ’91. They have proudly consolidated their position in the premier grade ever since, with memorable Senior Football Championship titles recorded in 1999, 2006 and ’07.
There has been plenty of progress through the various underage grades also and today Tyrrellspass stands as a club with a very sound structure and with an ambition to develop further in the years ahead. The coronavirus stopped all GAA activity and brought normal life to a total standstill back in March, at which stage the Tyrrellspass GAA Club had begun a major development project that will include new pitches, new dressing rooms and a walkway that will serve the entire community.
The whole project, likely to cost a couple of million euros, will resume again and continue in different phases, but when it’s complete, Tyrrellspass GAA will have facilities that will serve for generations to come. That kind of foresight and vision is typical of what the club has been about over the decades and great credit is due to everyone who has helped it continue as one of the leading clubs in Westmeath.
Down through the years there have been many remarkable days and great victories, but the big breakthrough in 1999 must surely be regarded as one of the club’s greatest ever days. When John O’Brien held aloft the Flanagan Cup in Cusack Park, it ended a lifetime of wait for a richly deserved senior title and more was to follow.
O’Brien was typical of some great players to don the famous blue jersey over the years, men like Mick Carley, Martin Flanagan, Denis Glennon, Ger Egan and Alan Rigney (captain in ’06 and joint captain in ’07) also stand out. However, the collective resolve of the club is what has ensured it endured through the ages and today they retain their place among the 12 senior clubs in Westmeath.
The Club also won the Senior ‘B’ title in ’99, while the younger stars captured the Cumann na mBunscol title, making it an unforgettable year, overall.
