Louth GAA legend Stephen Melia passes away

Stephen Melia in action for Louth against Offaly in the 2000 National Football League Division Two final

The death has occurred after illness of Louth GAA’s most capped player, Stephen Melia.

No one featured for the Wee County more in the county’s history than the towering midfielder, who made his debut in November 1984. He would remain part of the panel until early 2002, with his last appearance coming in July 2001.

Melia’s 17 years with Louth is a record shared with Michael ‘Muckle’ McKeown and Leslie Toal, one behind Benny Gaughran and two behind Eoin “Ine” Markey.

Throughout his 179 appearances, his greatest achievement was helping the county to Division Two league success against Offaly in 2000.

Twice named County Player of the Year, Melia started his playing career with the John Mitchels and was a key component to their 1992 junior championship success.

He later transferred to Dublin side O’Dwyer’s before joining St Joseph’s GFC in Dromiskin. While he kept his age a close secret, he was arguably one of the oldest players to win a Senior Championship medal when he lined out in midfield for the the Cluskey Park outfit in their 2006 County Final success over St Patrick’s GFC. It is believed he was in his mid-40s at the time.

Remarkably, Melia never played for the county at minor level but did represent Leinster numerous times in the Railway Cup.

Off the field, Melia featured as part of Paddy Clarke’s management team in 2000/2001 and under Eamon McEneaney in 2006 when the county clinched the Division Two league title against Donegal.

Commenting on his passing on Twitter this morning, St Joseph’s clubman Jonny McGailey said: “Gutted to learn of the passing of my former team mate, mentor and friend Stephen Melia. Words can’t describe how great he was. Gutted.

“An absolute warrior whose work ethic and leadership knew no bounds. One of the most inspiring and influential people I’ve ever known.”

St Joseph’s GFC tweeted: “Stephen Melia was not only a great player, but an even better person. A sad loss. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam.”

Funeral arrangements will be made later.

Local men prepare for 350km cycle from Dundalk to Tralee

Michael Bishop, Jonny McGailey, and Mark Geraghty pictured with Louth Rose Jenny Hanlon ahead of their 350km charity cycle to Tralee tomorrow

Three local men will be hopping on their bikes tomorrow morning as they prepare to cycle 350km over two days from Dundalk to Tralee.

The event has been organised to raise funds for three charities, Friends of A, the Make A Wish Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.

Taking part are Jonny McGailey from Dromiskin, Mark Geraghty from Blackrock and Michael Bishop from Roche. They will be joined by three others from outside the area who Jonny got to know during his spell as an escort at the Rose of Tralee festival a couple of years ago.

Jonny organised the event to coincide with the festival and donations can be made here.

So far Jonny has raised almost €1,300, which puts him well on course to get close to his target of €5,000.

The trio hope to reach Moneygall in Offaly by the end of day one where they will stay with Barack Obama’s cousin Henry Healy before completing their journey the next day to make it to the Rose of Tralee festival on Saturday.

Search is on for 2014 Louth Rose

Louth Rose Sarah McCrave and last year’s Rose of Tralee winner, Texas Rose Haley O’Sullivan, on their visit to the CBS Primary School in Chapel Street on Monday

The search is on for the 2014 Louth Rose.

This year’s contest will take place in The Fairways Hotel on Friday May 2^nd.

Applications are now being accepted through the Louth Rose of Tralee Facebook page or by emailing rose.louth@gmail.com

Contestants must be aged between 18 and 27 to enter.

The winning Rose will be looking to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner Sarah McCrave.

Sarah was joined by last year’s Rose of Tralee winner, the Texas Rose Haley O’Sullivan, on a visit to her old primary school, the CBS on Monday. They were joined by 2013 Escort of the Year, Jonny McGailey, from Dromiskin.

This week’s Dundalk Leader

This week’s Dundalk Leader features a story about four St Vincent’s students who have been volunteering in Romania in aid of Crosscause. There’s also news of the opening of the new Coláiste Lú school, a report on Jonny McGailey’s triumph as Escort of the Year at the Rose of Tralee and the reaction to John Teeling’s decision to buy the Great Northern Brewery.

All that and more in this week’s Leader, which can be read online for free from here.

Dromiskin man Jonny is Escort of the Year at Rose of Tralee

Jonny McGailey (right) being interviewed by Rose of Tralee presenter Daithi O Sé

Louth might not have had a representative at this year’s Rose of Tralee Festival but the county has landed the Newbridge Silverware Escort of the Year contest thanks to Dromiskin man Jonny McGailey.

Jonny, who is well known in GAA circles for his involvement with St Joseph’s GFC, is the escort for the Leitrim Rose Edwina Guckian.

He was presented with his prize live on RTÉ last night. As well as collecting a cheque for €1,000, he also picked up a range of cutlery from Newbridge Silverware.

Jonny is currently on an internship with Louth GAA working as a strength and conditioning coach.

Jonny was sponsored by Tony McDonnell Menswear, Earl Street, Dundalk, Kinahan Financial Mortgages, Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk and Country Fresh, Dundalk.