DONEGAL saw off Mayo in a challenge match today – winning by 1-14 to 3-07.
But the match was more about remembering the late Garda Robbie McCallion at the club he loved – Swinford.
Garda McCallion died in April 2009 while on duty in Letterkenny.
He was knocked down and fatally injured by a car thief.
Today the community in his native Swinford came out to honour him. Garda McCallion was part of the Swinford team that won an Intermediate title in 1999 and represented Mayo at under-21 and senior level.
Today the club’s new all-weather pitch was dedicated in his honour.
The day began with a game between Swinford and a Garda Selection.
Swinford and Mayo GAA legend Dr. Padraig Carney flew home from America especially for the occasion.
Swinford GAA Chairman Michael Murtagh said:: “Robert was a huge part of the club and the community and was an extremely nice person. He always had a smile. He was a truly dedicated member of the Swinford team and brought that same dedication as a player.
“He was a totally different person on and off the pitch. He was on the successful Swinford minor team of 1997 which won every match they played that year. He would have been a driving force on that team.
“He played mainly centre half back. He travelled from Donegal to Swinford all the time to train and never transferred clubs.”
