Seán Purcell

Who was Seán Purcell?

Seán Purcell, nicknamed "The Master", was a famous Gaelic footballer for County Galway.

Best known as a centre half forward, his versatility saw him used in virtually all outfield positions throughout an illustrious career. He was recognised by many football enthusiasts as one of the greatest players of all time. In 2009 he was named in the Sunday Tribune's list of the 125 Most Influential People In GAA History.

Born in Tuam, County Galway, Purcell is widely regarded as Gaelic football's greatest centre-half forward. His affinty with the game began at an early age. In 1934, Galway played Cavan in Tuam. It was the first big occasion Purcell remembered "The crowd was exceptional for the time because it was at that time that the papers began to write it up and they brought a great crowd" Galway won their second All-Ireland that year. He was five going on six and was already "Mad About It".

He played colleges football with St. Jarlath's College of Tuam. The teenage star of 1947 was destined to become a star at ever level as he made his prodigious talent available to club, county, province, university and country over fifteen years. ’The Master,’ as he was known far and wide from his days as a teacher at Strawberry Hill National School in the parish of Dunmore, had earlier been labelled ’The Boy Wonder’ when he gave a stirring midfield performance to inspire St. Jarlath’s College to their first Hogan Stand success in 1947 beating St. Patrick’s, Armagh, in the All-Ireland at Croke Park.