Castlebar Mitchels are celebrating their 125th anniversary this year. In 1960 for their 75th celebrations, they had a 7 foot six tier birthday cake made, weighing 217 lbs. with 75 candles on it.
Celebrations included Mass in the morning and exhibition games in the afternoon at McHale Park. There was also a large parade through the town starting from the Town Hall with various bands and a banquet was held for 385 guests in the TF Hotel. Special guests on the night included the surviving members of the original C/bar Mitchel’s football team: Brian McAlpine, Moneen; Richard Condon, Richard St., Johnny McGowan, Linenhall St., Jack “Docky” McGreevy, Balloor and Thomas Walsh, Saleen. Also there was the last surviving member of their first hurling team; John P McCormack, Ellison St.
Octogenarians all, their ages ranged between 82 and 86 years and they had the place enthralled with their stories and songs of times past.
Tommy Walsh remembered the first practice games held at the Pigeon Park between the Higher Ends and the Lower Ends when coats were substituted for goalposts and there were 21 men aside. From these practice games, the original Mitchels were selected.
Johnny McGowan told stories about sports played in the town before the club was formed and tales of encounters with Balla Butters, Ballina Stephenites, etc. John P McCormack recalled when players turned out to play hurling and football in their bare feet and of how tradesmen from Kerry, Cork, etc working on the building of the Church of the Holy Rosary, played a huge part in training the local teams.
Great men and a great club.