Nicky Mackin designed_Layout 1 11/12/2013 16:57 Page 1
NICKY MACKIN
THE PHILIPSTOWN LEGEND & GENTLEMAN
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By Sean Ross
hen I first saw Nicky Mackin, I was told he was a gentleman footballer and that he played like Mick O' Connell of Kerry. Nicky was born in 1936 in Ardlaraghan, around Philipstown. He had two brothers and two sisters. His father James Mackin was from Cooley and his mother Mary Kate from Stabannon. He went to Philipstown N.S. , where there was no football played. He line out for Dunleer where Father Downey and Father Quinn looked after football. Teams from Termonfeckin, Tullyallen, Monasterboice and Togher played in South Louth Rural. Nicky told me that despite South Louth Rural matches which were very scarce, there was no juvenile structure in Philipstown. The lads themselves organised teams like Whiteriver, Funshog, and Collon Road. This is in contrast to towns and villages in Co. Louth where structures were in place. Bean Park in Dunleer was used for juvenile matches at this time. Nicky was 12 when St Kevins were formed as a Division Two club. St. Kevins first ever game was a challenge match V St. Colmcilles (Togher) in a field opposite Carron’s Pub at Togher Cross. St. Kevins minor team was Baile Philip, they played in the Mid Louth League. At 17, Nicky Mackin was chairman, his brother was treasurer, and Larry Tenanty was secretary. This was extraordinary for young lads to be organising their own football. In 1949 St Kevin s got to the semi-final against O’ Connells at Pairc Mhuire, Ardee. They were beaten 1-7 to 0-14. St Kevins had to contend with the senior clubs’ second squads - St Marys of Ardee, Stabannon and Dundalk
Young Irelands. So life was difficult for Nicky and St Kevins. In 1957 the tide turned for St Kevin’s when they beat Sean McDermotts by 2-6 to 3-2. Now football was fully alive in both Philipstown and in Louth in general with the All-Ireland title in the bag too. St Kevins had a good combination of older and younger players. It meant going up into junior ranks. Nicky by the way went to the All-Ireland with Danny Flanagan in a Hillman Husky; he also farmed his land with his two brothers. While they stayed in the junior ranks, the Macardle Cup was won three years in a row- 1965, 1966, and 1967. Paddy Tenanty was trainer of all these teams. In 1968 they won the championship. This was a golden era for the St Kevins club. They beat Fane Rangers by 2-8 to 0-5. So for the first time senior football would be played in Philipstown. The Cup was presented by Sean Murray to Benny Grogan- a reception was later held in Mc Quaids of Ardee with Paddy Tenanty thanking everyone. Pasty McCullough and Fr Hardy looked after the training and coaching. After 1970 St. Kevins dropped to intermediate as there were no housing estates and very few families, and the catchment area was very small indeed. In the 1970’s championship St. Kevins beat Roche Emmets, St Brides, but St. Marys beat them on September
Nicky receiving a county board award
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12th. Nicky Mackin played at full forward. Mixed fortunes in the 1970’s for St Kevins as juvenile football improved. In 1982 Sean Tracey’s/ Baile Philip beat Naomh Buithe in the Louth minor Final. This would provide life blood for this area in future years. Also the new pitch in Philipstown saw St Kevins V John Mitchels with Mitchels winning. Nicky Mackin had hung up his boots. Now Philipstown had a new pitch and a new hall. In the 1990s Nicky was involved at committee level, working as secretary up to 1988. He turned to Co. Board Delegate up to 1992 when he served on the Juvenile Committee . St Kevin’s went back to junior ranks. Nicky when asked about good opponents and opponents with the “gentleman” qualities mentioned Ollie Reilly of Hunterstown, Peter Shevlin of Togher, Damien Reid of Collon and the Geraghty brothers of Collon. In the early 2000s St Kevins ,won the junior championship. Nicky would like to mention the St. Kevins camogie teams and their many titles. In 1960 Nicky played for Louth in Castlebellingham on April 9th, Meath won this match, it was the opening of the O Connell’s pitch. When talking to Nicky, he named the whole McDermotts team - his one time opponents - he is a mine of information. I promised Nicky and Barry Brennan to loan them Jack O’ Connors book - Keys to the Kingdom - the best G.A.A. book I’ve ever read. Nicky remains one of the most respected men in his own parish, and in both football and farming circles. He played football until he was 45 years, and brought his boots with him for many years later in case his beloved club St. Kevins would need a player. As the young people say - he is a legend and a gentleman.