Mickey Linden came on for our thirds on Sunday (50 years of age) at half time in the Down reserve championship. We were getting beaten by three points at the time but the legend lifted the team and scored four outrageous points and set up a goal to lead us to a six point victory. He has to be one of the oldest club player in the country? The word Legend is used loosely these days but there is no doubt Mickey is "the Legend"
I'd mention Cake but he's ageless, timeless, priceless ;)
Linden was and by sounds of it still is a class act. Supposed to be a real sound bloke on top of that.
Quote from: spuds on July 03, 2013, 12:48:50 AM
Linden was and by sounds of it still is a class act. Supposed to be a real sound bloke on top of that.
A gentleman and a great role model for all kids!
Legend
Quote from: T O Hare on July 03, 2013, 12:52:11 AM
Quote from: spuds on July 03, 2013, 12:48:50 AM
Linden was and by sounds of it still is a class act. Supposed to be a real sound bloke on top of that.
A gentleman and a great role model for all kids!
Love to hear that, is too easy for lads of such outstanding ability to be stuck up their own asses.
The oldest club player I've heard of was 73 years old when he played his last club match.
He was the father of all the Bonnars who played hurling for Tipp back in the late 80s/ early 90s.
One day the local (junior) football club were going to have to forfeit a championship game when they couldn't field 15 players. They could only muster 14 and it seemed that the opposition were going to be awarded the game until the oul fella stepped in to tog out, if you follow me.
What's more, his team won the game and he wasn't the worst on the field, according to Cormac, one of his sons.
Quote from: Lar Naparka on July 03, 2013, 01:53:01 AM
The oldest club player I've heard of was 73 years old when he played his last club match.
He was the father of all the Bonnars who played hurling for Tipp back in the late 80s/ early 90s.
One day the local (junior) football club were going to have to forfeit a championship game when they couldn't field 15 players. They could only muster 14 and it seemed that the opposition were going to be awarded the game until the oul fella stepped in to tog out, if you follow me.
What's more, his team won the game and he wasn't the worst on the field, according to Cormac, one of his sons.
Was Joe McDonagh, Galway hurler (singer) and former GAA president not playing junior hurling right into his 50's as well?
Maybe one of his bloodline who posts on here could confirm...
Would Linden be able to make the Mayobridge first team still? I wouldn't be surprised considering he is apparently still lightening according to his times in the All Ireland masters 100 and 200 metres chanmpionships which he wins.
Danny O'Connor, ex Vice Chairman of Dublin played a hurling match in his late 50's
Donegal's Martin Shovlin. He's 52 (I think) and still playing..
What a man!!!!! Great story.
Fair play to Linden. Great player in his hey-day and shows there is still hope for some of us who have another while before we're 50.
We used to have over 40's games between Ardcath and Curragha. Used to be great oul craic and could be fairly serious affairs. Although the way things are going with emigration those clubs are likely to be mainly over 40's with a sprinkling of minors in a few years.
Legendary stuff from Mickey Linden. Absolutely brilliant, I love hearing heartwarming stuff like that!
club hurler in Dublin with Civil Service.
in his 60's and plays in goal.
There was a young lad on one of those championship programmes a few years ago - it used to be on RTE on Friday nights.
Marty Morrissey was the presenter I think.
This young lad was 73 at the time.
He still did goals for the club.
He was out with a rifle shooting rabbits around the pitch when the programme was on.
He's still playing as far as I know.
Quote from: Flex on July 03, 2013, 09:24:08 AM
Donegal's Martin Shovlin. He's 52 (I think) and still playing..
Martin would be 50 maybe pushing 51, another form that era still playing is Manus Boyle he would be about 48 at this stage. Martin was a hardy man back in the day, I'm not surprised that he is still playing.
kieran Shannon has an article in the examiner about Mickey and Tony Browne.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/kieran-shannon/kieran-shannon-love-of-game-enough-to-keep-lucky-few-going-on-and-on-235776.html (http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/kieran-shannon/kieran-shannon-love-of-game-enough-to-keep-lucky-few-going-on-and-on-235776.html)
Gay Sheerin former Roscommon keeper was playing last year (Outfield). Well into his 50's
Sean McGinley was playing for Kilcar in Donegal well into his 50's
Legend has it when Nelson Mandela was released he picked up the Donegal Democrat & exclaimed "Don't tell me Sean McGinley is still playing football!!"
Tom Randles is a Hurler from Kilgarvan County Kerry. He played hurling Kilgarvan in the 1950s up to the 1980s, Winning County Championships in 1956 & 1958. In 2008 he made headlines by playing a full 60 minute match for Kilgarvan at the age of 71 50 years after winning his last county championship. He also played football with Kilgarvan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Randles_(hurler) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Randles_(hurler))
Quote from: T O Hare on July 03, 2013, 12:37:27 AM
Mickey Linden came on for our thirds on Sunday (50 years of age) at half time in the Down reserve championship. We were getting beaten by three points at the time but the legend lifted the team and scored four outrageous points and set up a goal to lead us to a six point victory. He has to be one of the oldest club player in the country? The word Legend is used loosely these days but there is no doubt Mickey is "the Legend"
Thanks for posting that T. O'Hare. Loved watching Mickey as a player and so inspiring to see him still doing the business at 50.
Didn't Colm O'Rourke have to stand in goals last year for Simonstown as well?
The late Paddy Donnan, father of Pat Donnan (Goalie - "Slim") and Peter - who both played for Down - turned out for junior club Atticall well into his sixties a few years back. He was probably well insured as he sold policies all his life! Lovely man.
Mickey Linden is playing on Saturday for Mayobridge v Kilcoo in the Thirds Premiership Final. Mickey made his intercounty debut in 1982, and helped his club win the Down Division 4 title in 1980.
QuoteMartin still swinging them over in his sixties
23 July 2014
Not a word about hanging them up. Is this 67-year-old from Roscommon the oldest gaelic footballer in the country?
Strokestown chairman Martin Silke came on as a substitute at corner-forward in the club's 2-16 to 3-8 Division 3 league success over St Joseph's on Wednesday, July 9 last.
Age is obviously just a number as far as Martin - who got a mention in the Roscommon Herald - is concerned.
He could be in line for a start against St Croan's this Friday evening!
http://www.hoganstand.com/roscommon/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=221086
Almost makes me as proud to be a Rossie as visiting the Dougie Hyde Museum in Frenchpark :'(