GAA Gallery

JOE trawled through the GAA archives to profile some of its most famous sons who made it big in other walks of life.

By Iarla Duignan

JOE was privileged enough to meet with legendary rugby player Mick Galwey a couple of weeks back. ‘Gaillimh’ is an icon of the game, who made 41 appearances for Ireland as well as lining out for Munster 130 times (85 as captain), but it was his success in another field that got us thinking.

Before committing to rugby for good, Galwey found time to win an All-Ireland football medal with Kerry. The ‘Kingdom’ man was part of the great side, along with stellar names such as Spillane, Nelligan, Moran and Liston that won the final against Tyrone in 1986.

Like Galwey, there are numerous other GAA players whose success began on the GAA pitches before becoming remembered for what they did in other fields.

JOE had a look back through the GAA archives and found a couple of Jackeens who went on to be famous footballers, a Kerryman (not Galwey) who became an icon for the rugby teams of both Munster and Ireland, one of the most famous figures in the history of Australian Rules Football (AFL) and perhaps most significantly of all, a former Taoiseach.

Click here to find out who they are.