Past All-Ireland medal-winner honoured

Past All-Ireland medal-winner, Dessie Ferguson and his wife, Maire, were honoured at the Meath Sinn Féin annual dinner dance recently for their lifelong commitment to republicanism. Cllr Joe Reilly opened proceedings and the event was addressed by former Meath GAA manager, Seán Boylan, and Sinn Féin senator, Pearse Doherty, from Donegal. Seán Boylan recalled Dessie Ferguson"s great involvement in the GAA through which his friendship with Dessie was formed and sustained over many years. He recounted Dessie"s many successes in both football and hurling. He played club football and hurling with St Vincent"s and played for Dublin, winning football All-Irelands with Dublin in 1958 against Derry and in 1963 against Galway. He played in two hurling All-Irelands, against Cork in 1952 and Tipperary in 1961. The family later moved to Kells and he played football there also. Mr Boylan also detailed how Dessie"s enthusiasm for sport carried on through to his family, including his sons, Conor, Barry and Terry. Cllr Michael Gallagher made a presentation of a painting to Mr and Mrs Ferguson.