Superbowl showdown for Connemara’s famous five
From boxing hero Seán Mannion or ‘Rocky Rosmuc’, to son of Carna and Rosmuc emigrants, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, the connections between Connemara and Boston have always been strong and deep.
And men of Connemara descent continue to be high-achievers in one of America’s oldest and greatest cities – five teenagers with impeccable Connemara and Aran roots starred in the Division One Massachusetts Superbowl final at the Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, earlier this December.
The Connemara quintet represented Catholic Memorial School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts at the prestigious Superbowl final against St John’s Prep.
As well as starring on the school football team, the lads all speak Irish as part of the curriculum.
Being touted as a future star of college’s American Football is Lucas Folan from Weymouth, whose family hails from An Spidéal. His father, Seamus Folan was born in Baile Árd in An Spidéal.
His younger brother, William Folan was also on the Catholic Memorial School team, which was appearing in its first Superbowl final in 41 years.
Their uncle, Michael Folan, of An Spidéal but now resident in Boston, was a noted Gaelic footballer with An Spidéal.
Another, Mathew Wing, also has Spiddal roots – his great grandmother was Mary Cosetlloe who was born in Páirc, An Spidéal, and his great grandfather was Patrick Walsh who was born in East Galway.
Teammate Conor Fitzgerald’s great grandmother Mary Folan hails from Teach Mór in Lettermullen and his great grandfather is Michael Connolly from the Clifden area.
The fifth Connemara teen on the team is Rory Conneely, whose dad Rory Conneely was born on Inis Meáin
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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