A classy statement to bring an end to a class career.
Michael Meehan was a warrior. The man from Caltra in Galway was one of those players that you’d just love to have on your team. One of those players that would die with his boots on, one of those players that would strain every sinew of his body to lace those boots and get his hands on the O’Neill’s size five.
And his career has come to an end, but Jesus, didn’t he got the most out of himself in his 15 years donning the maroon of the Tribesmen?
In 2002 he started making strides, winning a Hogan Cup with his school, St. Jarlath’s of Tuam. The underage sensation scored 1-6 in the semi-final and 1-7 in the final of that campaign. Later that year, he struck 0-5 as Galway defeated Dublin in the All-Ireland under-21 final.
It was no surprise, then, when he was called into the Galway senior panel the next year, and he delivered on all that potential, winning a Connacht championship in his first year involved.
He would go onto win an All-Ireland title with his club in 2004 and an All-Ireland under-21 title in 2005, along with two more Connacht senior titles with Galway in a successful career.
A successful career that was brought to an end this evening.
This isn’t the first time he’s announced his retirement. He did that in 2014, too after becoming frustrated at a string of debilitating injuries, but his love for being in the thick of it meant he couldn’t keep away for long.
With Kevin Walsh in charge of the men of the west, one of the county’s greatest ever footballers was convinced to make a return. He was convinced he had more to give.
And he did give some more.
But, at 33, the attacker from the famous Meehan family called it a day.
And he bowed out in style with a humorous and classy statement, even managing a Charles Dickens reference. A Charles Dickens reference that many GAA players can relate to.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”
“The medical staff, oh the medical staff,” he said, playing on the injuries that plagued the latter stages of his career.
Only fitting of the player he was and the man he is.
Merry Christmas everyone! @TribesmenGAA pic.twitter.com/xGbaK4mxTy
— Michael Meehan (@Meehan_MJ) December 20, 2017
Michael Meehan was one of the great guys. He won’t be forgotten.
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