| Death of star of the 1960s, Gus Lynch |
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| Thursday, 23 November 2006 | |
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Gus Lynch, one of the stars of the Bit O'Red in the 1960s sadly passed away this week. Known for his versatility, Gus wil be remembered with great fondness by Rovers fans everywhere. He was honoured as a lifetime member of the club in 2003 during the 75th anniversary celebration and will be sadly missed by his family, friends and all associated with Sligo Rovers. May he rest in peace.
Below is an interview by Michael Moran with Gus in December 2003. Courtesy The Sligo Champion, 31 December 2003 In the latest of a series of articles to mark Sligo Rovers 75th anniversary, Michael Moran talks to Gus Lynch, a player who served the club in a variety of roles during a distinguished career. WHEN I told a former playing colleague that I had just spoken to Gus Lynch about his career, the response summed up the former Sligo Rovers man perfectly ......... "A fantastic individual to have in your team. He could play almost anywhere, in goal, at centre-half or centre-forward." Coming from a Sligo family that served both junior and senior soccer with distinction through a number of generations, perhaps it was no surprise that Gus should be remembered as a utility player of some renown. He can also claim a series of interesting accolades, including that of saving a penalty from the legendary Jackie Ambrose to end the Cork Celtic star's record of not missing a spot-kick in four seasons, while 'at the other end' he scored two goals against the great Pat Dunne in his last game for Shamrock Rovers before the Dubliner joined Manchester United and went on to win a League Championship medal. His debut, however, was somewhat less auspicious as he conceded six goals ironically away to Cork Celtic on September 18th, 1960. "I had some good days and bad days, " was how Gus modestly reflected on his association with Sligo Rovers. Family links Gus's brother Rafael was honoured with two Junior International caps and went on to become a well-known referee. Two of Rafael's sons, John – who also featured both outfield and in goal-and Damien, played for Rovers, while another nephew, Ian, wore 'The Bit O'Red' for many seasons. It was on the streets around his native St. Joseph's, in the Nun's Field, Maye's Field and the Fairgreen that his early career began, while St. John's National School provided the first taste of organised gaelic football, before he went on to play with Craobh Rua and was selected on the County Sligo Minor panel. Gus was a member of the St. Joseph's side that won the O'Hara Under-16 Cup and he also played junior football with St. Joseph's. There were also stints with St. John's at Aughamore and under Paddy Browne's managership at Dromore West. His introduction to the goalkeeping position came via an unexpected request from Tommy 'Diver' McDonagh in the former McArthur's Bakery. Gus explained: "He was putting a team into a local seven-a-side and he asked me would I go in between the sticks. Having played gaelic I said I would give it a go and it started from there really." While Gus maintained that the team was not a good one, they managed to get through to the final in Abbeyville Park, where they lost one-nil. He later figured in a Sligo United team that was beaten 3-1 by Drumcondra in the final at Tolka Park, Dublin. McArthur Cup triumphs Gus also shared in a number of McArthur Cup successes, including that of the McArthur/ Post Office amalgamation that beat the Builders in the 1956 final, 'Diver' McDonagh getting the all important goal. He also won the cup with Denny's and the Spinning Factory. The option of playing Lynch in goal, or centre forward was an obvious attraction for Sligo Rovers and the 1960 season started with the usual inclusion of juniors from Dublin, Donegal and the North of Ireland. Again the debate raged as to the use of local players with Alec Rollo appointed coach, but he had departed by the end of the Shield campaign. Willie and Damien Bradley were the only locals to start the season, but Lynch was to join as an amateur together with a number of others, including the late Gerry Mitchell. By the end of the campaign, Rovers had used a total of 52 players, the highest total since they entered the league. Gus was working at the former Spinning Factory when he joined Rovers. He later went to Denny's and recalls finishing work and heading for the Showgrounds for the regular training sessions. "It was more or less a case of going straight from one place to the other. There was no time for eating until after training and the players now certainly have better facilities than we had. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was a great honour to play for Rovers, " he maintained. Gus still retains vivid memories of his fourth game for Sligo, against Shamrock Rovers in Milltown. Great experience "I had a very good game. I was called out to be interviewed by the reporters after the match, which was an excellent game, even though we were beaten 4-2 at the finish. Shams had gone two goals up but we pulled it back to 2-2. "However, when I went out to collect a ball Paddy Ambrose more or less sat down and I landed on top of him. The referee pointed to the spot and Liam Hennessey took the kick. It was a great experience to play at Milltown, despite the result," he said. The penalty at Turner's Cross against Cork Celtic also holds a special place in the Rovers diary for Gus. "Jackie Morley hadn't missed one in four seasons. I saved his kick and he came into the dressing rooms afterwards to shake my hand and tell me 'you're after breaking my record', " he revealed. His two goal salvo against Pat Dunne also stands out. "As far as I can recall it was a postponed game against Shams at it came at the end of the season. I scored twice against him and he then went to Manchester United, where he won the championship the following season. Again, that was special," Gus went on. Rovers of course were out of senior football for the 1962-63 season, but following their return the scramble to assemble a team began in earnest in the summer of '63 with the appointment of Johnny Robinson as coach. Rovers return Gus Lynch was on the team sheet for the first game back, at home to St. Patrick's Athletic in the City Cup on August 18th. The other players involved were Gerry O'Reilly, Hugh Campbell, Brendan Duffy, Albert Reilly, Tommy Cosgrove, John Kiely, Eddie Kelly, Jimmy Burnside, Damien Bradley and Charlie Scanlon. Goals fro Bradley and Burnside gave them a 2-1 win. Lynch played a total of thirteen times in the league, once in the City Cup and nine times in the Shield in the 1963/ 64 season. The team was to be shuffled around somewhat with Fintan Brett joining as a goalkeeper and Lynch moving on occasions to centre-forward. In his total of 48 appearances for the club he was to hit the net seven times. He was retained for the 1964-65 season, his last for Rovers, though at a later stage, Tony Bartley did offer him the chance to re-join. "Several of us would congregate at the corner of Temple Street and Mail Coach Road and I remember Bartley asking me would I go back to the Showgrounds. Rovers had always treated players well and looked after them, but I declined the offer and perhaps was a little sorry afterwards," he admitted. Gus returned to junior soccer with St. Joseph's and M.C.R., before he finally hung up his boots ....... and his gloves. While not deliberately wishing to offend or neglect to mention any former playing colleagues intentionally, he rates Damien and Willie Bradley, Johnny Armstrong, Louis Dykes Jimmy Burnside, Tommy Oates, Mickey Sweeney, David Pugh and Eamon Reddy as just some of the best. He also has fond memories of 'the man with the magic sponge', James Tiernan, who brought an air of professionalism to training and the physical aspect of his game. "There were some brilliant players at the Showgrounds and it is hard to recall every single one of them. It was great to play with them all and great to achieve the ambition of putting on the Rovers jersey. "It was also nice to see the family tradition being carried on with my nephews going on to play," he said. |
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