Martin Griffin (Gaelic footballer)

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Martin Griffin
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

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.

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]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b c d "Sadness and pride shared at funeral of GAA legend Martin Griffin". 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Campbell, Peter (7 November 2021). "St Eunan's overpower Naomh Conaill in Donegal SFC final". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 7 November 2021.