On Friday 14th August Clonduff GAC paid Tribute to Kevin Mussen and Patsy O’Hagan (pictured with Bronagh McAlinden and Brian McGreevy) and inducted them into the ‘Hall of Fame’. In this year of commemoration in the GAA it was fitting to recall Down’s first Ulster title fifty years ago this month (9th August) in 1959.
The two guests of honour attended with their children and grandchildren. Many of their former team mates and/or their families in both Clonduff and Down, four former players on the Offaly team of 1961 (Greg Hughes, Charlie Wrenn, Phil O’Reilly and Tommy Cullen), Paddy McFlynn President of Down GAA and former All Ireland GAA President, together with guests from Tyrone, Armagh and other parts of Down were in attendance. Clonduff Chairman, Brian McGreevy welcomed everybody at the beginning of the presentation which was presented by Clonduff PRO Jerry Quinn, assisted by Fintan Mussen (Kevin’s brother). Austin O’Callaghan (BBC Sport) was the guest interviewer on the night (chaperoned by Tommy Kelly) and he spoke eloquently and knowledgably to most of the former players. The computerised presentation was compiled by Colin Brannigan and Eoin Murphy. The presentation consisted on the history of Kevin and Patsy from their earliest days and was illustrated with photographs, video clips and footage from half a century ago. Being unable to attend there were video messages from Miceál Ó Muircheartaigh, Niall Sheehy and Mick O’Connell (Kerry), J J O’Halloran (Chairman Galway GAA), Maurice Hayes (Secretary of Down GAA in 1950s/60s) and Sean Spiers (formerly of Clonduff and now San Francisco).
Kevin and Patsy were presented with the P J McAlinden ‘Hall of Fame’ trophy by Bronagh McAlinden, cut glass vases as mementoes by the Clonduff Chairman, Brian McGreevy and ‘This is Your Life’ memory books compiled by Gerry Curran, Marie Walls and Anita Brannigan. Other members of the Clonduff History/125 sub committee (in addition to those previously mentioned) and who researched, resourced, compiled, recorded, etc are: Stephen Morgan (now Rostrevor, formerly Clonduff team mate), Sheenagh McConville, Brian Canavan (formerly Saval now Clonduff) and Marie Milligan (niece of Patsy O’Hagan). The formal proceedings concluded with a delightful supper prepared by The Downshire Arms Hotel but the night continued into the wee small hours.
