Mick Galwey

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Michael Joseph Galwey was born in Currow, a small village near Castleisland in Co. Kerry, Ireland on the 8th of October, 1966. Before turning to rugby he won an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with Kerry in 1986, as a 19 year old. He is the only man to have won an "All-Ireland" in both rugby and gaelic football. He also holds County Championship medals in Senior, Junior and Minor grades.

Galwey was a key figure in Shannon R.F.C.'s side during their famous "Four in a row" winning streak of All- Ireland League titles in the late 1990's. Throughout his career Galwey proved to be an inspirational leader, a leader by example, who could inspire and motivate players around him to punch above their collective weights. Galwey instilled a "don't panic" and professional attitude in his Shannon team which later would become the hallmarks of Munster Rugby during his tenancy as captain, the effects of which can still be seen today.

Galwey is seen as one of the most important architects of Munster Rugby's rise to the heights of European rugby. His amiable and light hearted nature gelling together a squad which initially suffered a lack of unity owing to a Cork/Limerick rivalry. Together with Declan Kidney and Niall O'Donavan, Galwey sought to unify the squad and set sites on European glory. The ever present traits of Munster "pride and passion" were mixed with a disciplined, professional and collected approach which soon reaped rewards.

Galwey's involvement in the Irish national squad was more of a mixed bag. Making his debut in 1991 against France, Galwey's 11 year international career was rarely without controversy. Owing to the often baffling selection decisions of various national coaches and selectors, Galwey became the most dropped player in international history. In a fashion characteristic of the man, Galwey took each setback on the chin and eventually fought his way back onto the Irish squad, becoming the teams captain ten years after he made his debut. Arguably his most famous moment in the green jersey came in the 1993 Five Nations Championship match against England, where Galwey rounded off a fine display in the 17-3 defeat by scoring the only try of the game. His efforts were rewarded later that year when he was selected for the Lions tour to New Zealand.

Throughout his career, with both Munster and Ireland, Galwey became firm friends with local club rival Peter "The Claw" Clohessy. Particularly in the later stages of their careers "Gaillimh" and "The Claw" were seen as a duo that represented the last of the "old guard" of rugby, former amateurs unafraid to mix the serious business of international rugby with the fun and humour traditionally associated with rugby union.

Galwey is seen as a legend of the sport in his native Munster, particularly in Limerick City where he remains a local hero. Mick Galwey is currently the coach of the Shannon R.F.C. senior side.

His nickname "Gaillimh" comes from the name of Irish town Galway, in the Irish language.

His rugby record includes; 41 caps for Ireland, four times as captain and scorer of three tries, 1993 Lions tour to New Zealand, 130 caps for Munster, 85 as captain, 1 Celtic League, 10 Munster senior cups and 6 All Ireland Leagues with Shannon R.F.C., 113 games for Shannon in the AIL, scoring 28 tries. He has coached Shannon to 2 AIL victories and 2 Munster Senior Cups.