Martin Griffin (1953/4 – 6 November 2021) was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Seán Mac Cumhaills of Ballybofey and the Donegal county team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Gaelic football | ||
| Position | Full-back/Midfield | ||
| Born | 1953/4 | ||
| Died | 6 November 2021 | ||
| Nickname |
Big Griffin[1] Big Griff[2] | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
197?–19?? | Seán Mac Cumhaills | ||
| Club titles | |||
| Donegal titles | 1 | ||
| Inter-county(ies) | |||
| Years | County | ||
1970s–1990 | Donegal | ||
| Ulster titles | 3 | ||
He won three Ulster Senior Football Championship medals with his county, each in a different decade: 1974, 1983 and 1990.[1] He won the last of those at the age of 36.[1] He could play in the full-back position or in midfield.[1] For the second Ulster title he was playing in midfield.[3] He could fetch, kick and had quick hands.[3]
Griffin won a Donegal Senior Football Championship with his club in 1977.[1] He was from Stranorlar.[2] A grandfather, he was married to Margaret and had two daughters Ann Marie and Donna, while his mother May, five brothers and four sisters outlived him.[2]
Griffin died suddenly on 6 November 2021, at the age of 67.[1] A minute's silence was held in memory of Griffin before the final of the 2021 Donegal Senior Football Championship the following day.[4] He was buried later that week at Drumboe Cemetery in Stranorlar, after funeral mass at the Church of Mary Immaculate.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f Scanlon, Cronan (6 November 2021). "Shock and sadness at passing of Donegal GAA legend, Martin Griffin". Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Sadness and pride shared at funeral of GAA legend Martin Griffin". 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- ^ a b Bonner, Declan (11 November 2021). "Youthful St Eunan's should win more championships: Martin Griffin". Donegal News. p. 71.
At that stage [1983] he was playing in the middle of the field and he could mix it with anyone in the province… He had all the skills. He was a great fetcher and had quick hands, and he was a good kicker of the ball too.
- ^ Campbell, Peter (7 November 2021). "St Eunan's overpower Naomh Conaill in Donegal SFC final". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 7 November 2021.