Eugene McHale (Gaelic footballer)
Eugene McHale is a former Gaelic footballer who played at senior level for the Mayo county team. He also played for Knockmore, his home team, and won five Championship medals.[1]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Sport | Gaelic football | ||
Born | County Mayo, Ireland | ||
Occupation | Officer with the Garda Síochána | ||
Inter-county(ies) | |||
Years | County | ||
Mayo |
During his playing career he was one of the most recognisable footballers in the province of Connacht.[1] He scored a goal for Mayo against Kerry in the semi-final of the 1981 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.[2]
He moved to Cliffoney, County Sligo, in 1980 and has lived there ever since. He served as a Guard in near by Grange until his retirement, and is a columnist with the Sligo Weekender.[3]
McHale has also refereed matches and managed teams. In 2001, he made history when he became the first person from outside the parish to be appointed manager of the Easkey senior team.[1]
References
- "McHale appointed Easkey manager". The Sligo Champion. 19 December 2001. Retrieved 19 December 2001.
- Flynn, Anna-Marie (8 September 2006). "Eugene prepares for marathon walk from Ballina to Croker". Western People. Retrieved 8 September 2006.
Eugene, a goalscorer in Mayo's 1981 All-Ireland senior football semi-final against Kerry, is a native of Knockmore and a Garda currently based in Grange. He's no stranger to such ambitious walks, having previously undertaken a charity journey from Ballymote to Celtic Park Glasgow.
- Carey, Daniel (17 June 2008). "Mayo beware". The Mayo News. Retrieved 17 June 2008.
Eugene McHale moved to Sligo the previous year, 1980, and has been there ever since. A Garda in Grange, ten miles from Sligo town, he has managed various teams and is now a referee as well as a columnist with the Sligo Weekender.