As part of our Jameson Caskmates & Tonic Social Serve Series, the legendary Meehan brothers met with Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh to discuss their family legacy, GAA’s importance in the community and the evolution of the game.
With the generational gap between the Meehan brothers - Michael, Declan, Tomás - the way the game has changed between their times became one of the bigger talking points during their live chat with presenter Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh.
Declan thought back to 1996 when he started out as a forward in Markievirz Park.
“It was a different time for Galway, we had 10 or 12 lads training during the week and it was kind of the end of the bad old days and the start of the good days", said Declan.
Máire Treasa then asked if that was just Galway that had that set up at the time. Declan responded that he was unsure but that’s just the way he recalled it.
“I don’t want to do injustice to the set-up in those days but that’s the way I recall it… after training, you’d get a Mars bar and a sandwich and if you won a few of the sprints you’d get two Mars bars.”
“It was different times. Then when you contrast that to when I finished up… you couldn’t eat a Mars Bar.”
With multiple All-Ireland medals in the home, people may think that they would be strewn around the place but none of the three actually know where their medals are. Michael said that their mother has them somewhere.
While Tomás was certain that their mother has them, Máire Treasa question on their current whereabouts was met with silence.
Tomás also spoke about the difference in success at county and club level.
“Winning the club title is brilliant. It made such a difference in Caltra.
People here might know Caltra, wouldn’t be a whole lot going on but off the back of that win, we built a community centre, there’s a creche there, a playground… all these things spawned off the back of that. I think it makes a really big difference to the community.”
“Winning with Galway, yes it’s great and everyone had a great time and it was a really good memory and all that but I’m not sure it transformed as much as Caltra did.”
You can watch the full interview on all of the Off The Ball social channels.
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