Death of former Sligo goalkeeper Noel Mullaney

St Michael’s GAA club has led the tributes to former Sligo football goalkeeper Noel Mullaney, who has passed away at the age of 88.

The deceased was a founder member of the Ballintogher club, who reached the Connacht club JFC final in 2019. As a player, he represented his native Sooey, Sligo and Connacht with distinction. Noel also lined out for his county at Wembley Stadium in 1966.

“It was with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of one our main founding members, the great Noel Mullaney,” St Michael’s posted online.

“For followers of Gaelic Football throughout the county and beyond, Noel was admired and revered. It’s safe to say that Noel’s playing career reached heights that no-one else in the club has or indeed, very few in the county has reached.

“As a young goalkeeper, he played a key role in Sooey’s second senior championship victory in 1959. Several years between the posts for the black and white followed as his Sligo team of the early and mid-sixties were among the finest that the county had produced but had the misfortune to come up against the great Galway All Ireland winning 3 in a row team of that era.

“Noel’s exploits weren’t limited to his club or county. During the sixties, he represented Connacht on several occasions in the Railway Cup and had the distinction of playing in a GAA competition at London’s Wembley Stadium.

“Noel was renowned for, among many other attributes, his long kickout and when the Sligo Champion readers in 2005 selected their Sligo team of the previous 50 years, Noel was selected and honoured as Sligo’s best goalkeeper of the previous half a century.”

The tribute added: “With the end of the Sooey club in 1971, Noel played for a number of years with the newly-formed Shamrock Gaels and in 1983 he along with others came together to form St Michael’s. Despite now being well into his forties, retirement wasn’t on Noel’s mind and he continued for another few years between the sticks for his new club, manning the posts in notable early triumphs for the fledgling club such as the Foley Cup and the Calry Tournament in 1985.

“In the following years, Noel continued to be a staunch supporter of the club being visible at our matches and visitors to his house were often treated to viewing his extensive collection of GAA memorabilia including photos and match reports of his playing days.

“Noel was honoured by the club in February at our Dinner Dance as he became the first inductee into our club’s Hall of Fame. He will always have a special place in the club’s history and in the minds of our supporters.

“Sincere sympathy to Noel’s daughter Orla, son Liam and the extended Mullaney family at this difficult time.

“Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.”