It is hard to believe that 20 years have elapsed since one of the Club’s greatest footballers of his era died at the young age of 32. Yes – it was on the 29th of June 1998 that John Galvin passed away following an illness that was diagnosed just short of a year before that. John played in the first round of the 1997 SF Co. Championship (on 25th July 1997) but when the next round (the quarter final) came around, just over seven weeks later (7th September), John was not on the team. Timmy Sheehan’s superb Graveside Oration at John’s funeral encapsulated everything that was good about John and in particular about his football career with the Rock. Phrases like – playing with pride, passion and commitment – teak tough defender – resilient and determined Rockie – described John admirably. Page 190 of Centenary Book gives a synopsis of John’s playing career which began with a SF Co. Championship winning medal in 1986, and was followed eight years later with a second winners medal in 1994.
John ‘Gala’ Galvin – legends live forever.
(Austin Stacks Centenary book is available to buy from Paudie Commane’s shop Rock St. Tralee or online www.austinstacks.ie price €20)
