GAA | Stephen Melia Sevens Tournament takes place this Saturday

Tournament remembers a giant of Louth football

The GAA lost one of the giants of Louth football in October 2015 with the passing of Stephen Melia who lost his battle with Motor Neurone Disease at the age of 53.

Stephen made a huge impact on the pitch, from winning the junior league with the John Mitchels in 1981 right through to winning a junior league with the Joe’s, 27 years later, in 2008.

In between those title wins he had many great achievements. Despite not making his county debut until the age of 23, Stephen would go on to make a record 179 appearances and win the Division Two League in 2000 with Louth. He also won the Railway Cup with Leinster and was named in John O’Leary’s top XV opponents.

At club level, he won a Junior Championship with the Mitchels and very nearly an intermediate, before going on to lead St Joseph’s to a Senior Championship win against the Pats, at the tender age of 44, in 2006.

The organising committee of the Stephen Melia Sevens tournament in 2016 raised over €8,000 from the event, which was presented to Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. L-R: Ray Sweeney (John Mitchels), Paul Curtis (John Mitchels), John Fox (St Joseph’s), Des Halpenny (Chairman Louth GAA), Marie Reavey (IMNDA), Michael Kinahan (St Joseph’s), Gerry Matthews (John Mitchels), Enda McKeown (St Joseph’s). Absent from the photograph is Paul Kane (John Mitchels)

All of these are only a small part of what he did on the field, not to even mention his influence on people’s lives off it.

Because of the man that he was and the effect that he had, Louth GAA, in association with St Joseph’s and John Mitchels are very proud to present the Stephen Melia Sevens, an adult men’s sevens competition that is open to all clubs in Louth and a select few from outside the county.

Taking place this Saturday June 10th, games will take place at the Louth Centre of Excellence in Darver and finish up at Cluskey Park in Dromiskin. Supporters are very welcome.

All funds raised will go to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. All patrons attending the event, including players, officials and volunteers are asked to pay a €10 entry fee on the day.

For those who are unable to attend, you can still donate online here: https://www.idonate.ie/stephenmeliasevens

For the most up to date information on this exciting event, you can follow the Facebook page and Twitter pages, the addresses for which are below.

www.facebook.com/StephenMeliaSevens/

www.twitter.com/StephenMelia7s

For any further queries, please email