SINCE ONE SEPTEMBER Sunday in 1992, Anthony Molloy has had the Freedom of Donegal – but now, the big Ardara man is officially a Freeman of Donegal.
Molloy, captain of the first Donegal team to win the All-Ireland title in 1992, was this evening given the Freedom of Donegal at the County House in Lifford.
On September 20th 1992, Molloy became the first Donegal man to take receipt of Sam Maguire.
Molloy uttered the immortal words ‘Sam’s for the Hills’ after being presented with Sam by then GAA President Peter Quinn and the Sam Maguire made an appearance in a packed chamber this evening.
“I am very, very honoured to be here to accept this. I can’t say how proud I am,” Molloy told the huge attendance.
[adrotate group=”43″]“I am very honoured that the Donegal County Council felt that I was an appropriate candidate. I am a very proud Irishman and have great passion for what the Irish do, especially Gaelic games and the Irish language.
“I am overwhelmed by the crowd that is here and the tributes.
“Most of all, I’m a very proud Donegal man. I was humbled in 1992 when I was afforded the privilege to walk up the Hogan Stand to accept Sam Maguire. It was the greatest day of my life.”
Molloy hails from Leamagowra, a small townland on the way over Glengesh Pass from Ardara to Glencolmcille.
Councillor Terence Slowey, speaking on behalf of the Fine Gael party, recalled a banner that was erected on the week of the 1992 All-Ireland final: ‘Good luck to the man from the mist’, in reference to the often-misty surroundings of Leamagowra, high in those very hills Molloy would reference in his speech in the Hogan Stand in ’92.
“He’d have come down Glengesh to Sandfield and played,” Councillor Slowey said.
[adrotate group=”53″]“He’d never have thought in his wildest dreams that he’d lift Sam Maguire. It’s amazing to look back on that history.”
Molloy himself touched on his roots after being conferred with the honour by the Chairman of Donegal County Council, Ciaran Brogan.
“I come from a very isolated, but beautiful spot in Ardara, high above Glengesh Pass,” Molloy said.
“When you make the effort and put in hard work, it doesn’t matter where you come from: You’ll be rewarded.”
The images of Molloy and manager Brian McEniff carrying Sam Maguire into Donegal the following night are among the most iconic in Donegal’s history.
[adrotate group=”74″]McEniff was joined at this evening’s function by Molloy’s team-mates from ’92, including Gary Walsh, Donal Reid, Sylvester Maguire, Noel Hegarty, Matt Gallagher, Martin McHugh, Charlie Mulgrew, Martin Gavigan, Mark Crossan and Martin Shovlin.
The Chamber was packed-to-overflowing with former team-mates, club colleagues as well as current and former County Board officials and Donegal senior football team manager Rory Gallagher and captain Michael Murphy.
Councillor Brogan, said it was ‘a huge day for the county’.
“It is a very special evening for us as a Council and a very special evening for the Molloy family,” Councillor Brogan said.
[adrotate group=”68″]“It is only right that we should have this occasion. It is a very special honour for me to bestow this honour on Anthony. He is a great Donegal man and a great Irish man.
“He has been a huge ambassador for the county.”
Councillors Seamus Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail), Noel Jordan (Sinn Fein) and Tom Connaghan (Independents) spoke on behalf of their political groupings.
Molloy made 123 appearances for Donegal and played for 12 years for the county.
Molloy had played for the Donegal Under-21s – managed by Connaghan – in the 1983 All-Ireland Under-21 final win over Roscommon and he won Ulster senior titles in 1983, 1990 and 1992.
[adrotate group=”67″]Councillor Connaghan said: “For the period that I was involved, he was one of the players I never had to leave off the team. He never wanted to be off the team. He carried injuries and his game with real style. From day one, he was a great ambassador.
“He put in so much to it. He was never say die.”
The Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, Seamus Neely said: “There was great emotional power from that success in 1992. Anthony was an is a commanding leader.
“We are indebted to Anthony for leading the team to that great victory and for the time and effort in making sure the potential was realised. He was very important in strengthening the Donegal brand.”
Current Donegal County Board Chairman Sean Dunnion described Molloy as ‘a great player, a great captain and a great servant to Donegal GAA’.
Mr Dunnion said: “The turnout shows the esteem he was held in by his peers. Everybody will agree, young or old, we all looked up to Anthony Molloy. It really was a tremendous time, if slightly unexpected.
“We never made the breakthrough and we went into the final with Dublin as raging hot favourites. That made it all the sweeter.
[adrotate group=”70″]“It was a great time in our history and players coming afterwards wanted to emulate that.”
Molloy is the seventh recipient of the Freedom of Donegal, following on from Daniel O’Donnell, Patsy McGonagle, Packie Bonner, the 28th Infantry Batallion, Shay Given, Phil Coulter and the Brennan family of Clannad.
Molloy said he was accepting the award ‘on behalf of the 82 team, the 83 team, the 1990 team and the 1992 team.’
He said: “I was just a lucky person. I was in the right place at the right time.”
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