SEAMUS MORRIS
Cavan’s 1952 All-Ireland winning squad, front l/r: J Sheridan, T Keogan, D Maguire, S Morris, J Cusack, S Hetherton, P Brady, M Higgins, P Carolan, JJ Cassidy, B O’Reilly. Back: P Fitzsimons, T Tighe, P Donohue, L Maguire, B Gallagher, V Sherlock, T Hardy, B McEnroe, A Corrigan, E Carolan, S Deignan, V Clarke, J McCabe
CAVAN’S VERY OWN MEMORY MAN
The winning ways with Breffni kicked off in 1944 when he manned the goals for the successful Ulster JFC-winning team of that season (beating Donegal in the decider) and the SFC provincial final-winning squad the same year (beating Monaghan in the final). His debut season ended up being a sweet and sour one. It was a year that threatened to mark the beginning and the end of his burgeoning year. "I was dropped at the end of '44," Seamus explains. "I only got the one year with Cavan at that time. I had a bad game in the All-Ireland semi-final against Roscommon and that was me finished with the county for nearly another four years." It must have been very hurtful to have been discarded in such a clinical and ruthless fashion? "I was disappointed but didn't let it get to me. I was only 20 and it was like water off a duck's back." But what about the fact that he missed out on the famous 1947 all-Ireland senior final win in the Polo Grounds? No regrets? "Not a bit. According to the selection committee at that time, Val Gannon was the best goalkeeper in the county and I accepted their decision." Was Gannon better than him? "They (selection committee) thought so but I suppose in my own mind, I probably thought I was as good as him." Seamus's exile from the county scene ended in 1948 and he would go on to be a permanent fixture in a county jersey 'till 1957. In '48, he was given the nod by the county selection committee of the time. In the week preceding the All-Ireland SFC final clash with Mayo, the goalkeeping position was still vacant. On the Tuesday of that week, legendary team-manager Hughie Reilly (Cootehill Celtic) and Cavan captain (Gallant) John Joe Reilly rang Seamus at his home in Arva. He believes that both men did so without the blessing of the selection committee and Morris was given the nod. Apparently incumbent 'keeper JD Benson (Killeshandra) had come under pressure for what was a less than convincing game against in the SFC semi-final. The 1948 NFL final replay against Cork saw Seamus being handed the number one jersey. It marked his county 'rehabilitation having started '48 as the county's number two 'keeper.
Seamus Morris was a member of the last Cavan team (1952) to lift the Sam Maguire Cup. A half-a-century later, his memories of football back in the day are still luminous. By Kevin Carney.
W
ith all the precision of a heart surgeon, Seamus Morris goes scoping through the years. His specialist subject is Cavan football during the 'forties and 'fifties as a player and a sliver of underage action in the mid-seventies during his term as a team-manager. He is forensic in his recall. Well-known broadcaster and journalist Jimmy Magee is well known for his crystal clear memory and computer-like encryption of facts and figures. However, even at 89 years, Morris would give Magee a good run for his money. He is a font of information about times past. No question beats him. Seamus's claim to fame though is not his power of recall but his majestic football career with club and county. He played with Arva and when his home town had no team, togged out with neighbouring Cornafean. He also played at the highest level for Cavan. His career was garlanded by a ribbon of medals, covering his days as a junior and senior county par excellence.
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