This article is from page 19 of the 2013-10-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
AS NEW hurling Clare heroes were being written into the sporting annals on Saturday, a former Clare hurling great was inaugurated into a sporting hall of fame in Limerick.
Sean McMahon was one of the first 16 sports stars of all disciplines to be inaugurated in the new University of Limerick Sports Hall of Fame at the University Arena.
While he was shouting on his fellow Clare men on the pitch in Croke Park, miles away, back in Limerick, UL President Professor Don Barry announced the Doora Barefield man as one of the country’s sporting heroes at an event in the university.
Regarded as one of Clare’s greatestever hurlers, the 40-year-old holds the record as the highest scoring back in All-Ireland Championship history with 0-97 from 51 games.
In his book, ‘Raising the Banner’, Clare hurling manager Ger Loughnane famously said of the hurling star, “There are men, then there are men, then there’s Sean McMahon.”
The event on Saturday was open to members of the public to attend free of charge and was followed by a live screening of the replay of the All Ireland Hurling Final between Clare and Cork on a large screen at the University of Limerick Sports Club.
The other inaugural University of Limerick Sports Hall of Fame inductees were Dr Sarahjane Belton Rugby; Brian Mullins – Gaelic Football; Eimear Cregan – Hockey; Seán O’Grady – Paralympic Athletics; Jimmy Deenihan – Gaelic Football; Eddie O’Sullivan – Rugby; Gerard Hartmann – Triathlon; Ciara Peelo Sailing; Dr Liam Hennessy – Athletics; Ray Silke – Gaelic Football; Dr Eddie Keher – Hurling; Pat Spillane – Gaelic Football; Carmel Vekins Kayak and Canoe Polo; Tony Ward – Rugby and Sinéad Millea – Camogie.