Limerick footballer John Galvin announced his retirement yesterday from the inter-county game. Lining out for his native county since 1999 he has been plagued by injury over the past couple of seasons. He played in five Munster finals and won two National League medals in a 15-year career with the county.
In an exclusive with The Limerick Post: the now Cratloe, Co. Clare club footballer said: “The time is right for me now I think. This has not been an easy decision, but I know that I have made the right call to move on.
“I informed John Brudair of my retirement this week and I want to thank him, first off, for his patience and time he gave me, to make up my mind.”
“The demands on time and more importantly, a person’s body, are huge these days for inter-county players. I know I could have given it one more year, but I feel it is best for me and for Limerick that I move on.
“I’ll continue to play with Cratloe for the coming season alright. I have always been the kind of player who commits to something 100%, so once I knew I could not give that to Limerick anymore, the decision was made for me.”
However, it is as a top flight Basketball player that we in Castleisland and district know and admire John Galvin for his dedication, tenacity and work-rate.
With the Team Garvey’s / St. Mary’s side they entertained all the major teams from around the country and brought the home supporters to the edge of their seats at the local community centre from the time he signed on here in the 2007/08 season.
John Galvin is a cousin of Galvin Optometrists proprietor, Marie Galvin and he performed the official opening of her Main Street office here in Castleisland in August 2011.
Team Garvey’s / St. Mary’s team PRO, Liz Galwey said that John Galvin was a fantastic athlete above all.
“When he came to play for the team he slotted in as if he had been playing here for years. He became part of the team in every aspect in that he played and partied with us in all our ups and downs in that great period.
He was hugely influential in the team’s National League and Cup double and he was named as the MVP (Most valuable Player) for the 2010 Cup season.
His commitment to the team and to his team-mates was everything to him. He gave everything he had to every game and he even came down to help the team through the recent Blitz here. While he won the honours he deserved in Basketball here we often thought the he deserved more from his inter-county football career with Limerick. A pure gentleman – we all wish him the very best in his retirement from that huge part of his sporting life and we look forward to seeing him in Castleisland from time to time,” said Liz.
“John Galvin was great addidtion to Team Garvey’s, he brought a wealth of experience to the squad and his ambition and drive was inspirational. John had played opposite St. Mary’s for years in the National league when he was a member of Limerick Lakers. But, like the true sportsman he is, he had no hesitation in joining the Kerry club when Lakers pulled out of the league as he saw the potential to succeed with the team.
John was readily accepted by all in the Castleisland club an immediately became one of the boys. He was dedicated and reliable throughout his time with St. Mary’s and made himself available for events on and off the court whether it was for PR or partying. He was hugely instrumental to the success of the team in recent years and was a loss during times of injury.
John’s decision to retire is one which I have no doubt will prove to be a huge loss to Irish sport. I wish him the very best in his retirement,”
Born in July 1980 John Galvin was a member of the 1998 Irish Junior Basketball Development Squad. He won Sprite Cup titles with Burger King Limerick and he won a Basketball Ireland Senior Cup title and two National League division one titles with Team Garvey’s St. Mary’s as well as Southern Conference titles.
John was named MVP in the Basketball Ireland 09/10 Senior Cup final and was twice named St. Mary’s Club Player of the Year for Team Garvey’s.
Despite his move from Croom to Cratloe after getting married John still managed the journey to Castleisland for National league training such was his dedication to the club and the game.
St. Mary’s Basketball Club chairman, Maurice Casey has said that John Galvin has been a great ambassador for Irish Basketball and for St. Mary’s Club.
“We thank John for his dedication to St. Mary’s and on behalf of the club we wish him the very best in his retirement,” said Maurice.
You can see The Limerick Post interview by Donn O’Sullivan by clicking here: http://www.limerickpost.ie/2015/01/08/exclusive-limericks-john-galvin-calls-time-on-career
