ST. MARY’S COLLEGE, ALMOST 100 YEARS OLD
Our photograph today shows the St. Mary’s College hurling team which won the competition played between their school, Garbally and St. Flannan’s in 1924. The diocesan magazine “The Mantle” published this image and provided an update on the players in 1959, so the notes after their names describe their status in 1959.Back row, left to right; Right Rev. Monsignor J. Mitchell, President of the College; Ben Farrell, a native of Craughwell, ordained a priest for Galway 1932, went to Australia, died in the diocese of Bathurst ; Willie Fahy, Castlegar, now a parish priest in Australia ;
Jim McHugh, Headford, farmer at Cahermorris ; Paul Keeley, Kilchreest, farmer at Kilchreest ; Thomas Cunningham, Mountbellew, doctor in Tuam ; Rev. James O’Dea, P.P. Clarenbridge, then the bishop’s secretary.
Middle Row; James Larking, Ardrahan, now P.P. of Peterswell ; Michael Callanan, Moylough, Customs and Excise. R.I.P. 1957 ; Owen O’Malley, Castlebar, chemist in Clontarf, Dublin ; Frank Burke, Cornamona, N.T. in Cornamona ; Frank Quinn, Kiltartan, now a P.P. in Australia ; John O’Malley, Rosmuc, now a medical doctor in Lettermore. In front are Bernard Mulkerrins, Kilchreest, now a C.C. in Kinvara ; John Dooley, Shrule, consecrated bishop in 1951, Apostolic Delegate in Hanoi, Vietnam ; Leo Hill, Ballinasloe, business man in Ballinasloe ; Patrick Killoran, Craughwell, died in Maynooth College as a student. The foundation stone of the College was laid in May, 1910, and two years later it opened with 60 boarders @ £30 per annum and 17 day boys @ £6 per annum.