GAA mourns loss of football legend Purcell

THE president of the GAA, Mr Sean Kelly, has expressed his sadness at the death of former Galway footballer Sean Purcell, winner of an All-Ireland medal with the County in 1956.

From Tuam’s Bishop St, Purcell came to prominence with an All-Ireland colleges medal with St Jarlath’s in 1946. Two years later he played his first Connacht senior final. His sole All-Ireland senior medal came in 1956 when Galway beat Cork at Croke Park. Three years later he captained Galway in the final loss to Kerry.

His on-field partnership with fellow Galway great Frank Stockwell saw the pair earn the sobriquet of the “Terrible Twins” - a name borne of their almost telepathic understanding.

Best known as a centre half forward, his versatility saw him used in virtually all positions in an illustrious career. The former teacher won three Railway Cup medals with Connacht, captaining the 1958 team. In 1984 he was named centre half forward on the Team of the Century and later in the same position on the Team of the Millennium.

At the time of his death, Sean Purcell was President of the Galway football board.

Mr Kelly said all in the GAA were saddened at the untimely death of such a well-known and talented man and the thoughts of all in the Association were with his family at this sad time. He expressed the Association’s condolences to family, friends and former teammates of the Galway great.

The1956 All-Ireland star will be taken back to his native Tuam today and his body will repose at St. Jarlath’s College from 6 to 10pm.

Again on Tuesday Sean Purcell’s body will repose at the Tuam college from 12 noon until it is removed to the nearby Cathedral of the Assumption at 7.30pm.

He will be laid to rest in Tuam Cemetery after 12 o’clock Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption on Wednesday.