On Saturday in Letterkenny, the Garda Robert McCallion Memorial Match took place as the Donegal Garda GAA welcomed their colleagues from Swinford GAA Mayo.
The two teams took part in a friendly game of Gaelic football to remember the name and legacy of a shared friend and colleague.
Robbie McCallion – a Garda from Swinford – was tragically taken from his family and friends in 2009 while on duty in Letterkenny. He played with distinction for both the Garda GAA team and his beloved Swinford and was a highly competitive, fast and skillful wing-back.
Robbie’s mother, Nancy, fad Bob and brother Garda John McCallion made the trip to their north-west and their attendance made a special day even more special for all involved.
The weather was heaven sent and set the scene for a highly entertaining game of football. Both teams served up a highly competitive, close game with the much younger and faster Swinford winning 3-11 to 1-13 points in the end.
The goals for the visitors came from Jack McDonnell (2) and Mark Forkan.
Afterwards manager and Retired Garda Declan McParland thanked both teams and the large attendance for their support in remembering a fallen colleague and also praised the St Eunan’s club for hosting the event so wonderfully.
Inspector Goretti Sheridan presented Swinford with the memorial trophy and medals courtesy of Michael Murphy Sports and in her address she said she hoped for a Donegal win over Mayo in the Allianz League Division 1 fixture the following day in Ballybofey.
Throughout his service in Donegal, Robbie travelled weekly for training and matches to his home town, such was his personal levels of dedication and commitment.
The memorial match was a celebration and acknowledgement of these traits with which he served the public in An Garda Siochana and his club Swinford. Almost seven years on, his untimely departure is still a hurt for all who had the privilege to know him but Robbie McCallion’s memory is still bringing people together and going by today’s success, the future shows no change.
Mìle buiochàs le gach duine inniù.
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