The Mick Hannon Development Hurling League commences next week, thanks to JP Graham for the below piece on the late Mick Hannon that featured in the Monaghan v Galway NFL round 6 programme.
THE LATE MICK HANNON
Since making Clones, County Monaghan, his adopted home in the late 1980s, Mick Hannon was totally committed to the development of hurling in the county and contributed on many fronts. A native of Loughrea, County Galway, Mick brought with him a deep knowledge and love of the game, which he shared generously throughout his years in Monaghan.
He began coaching underage players in Clones in the early 1990s and continued until 2005, when sadly hurling diminished in the club. During this time he was also heavily involved in a number of coaching schemes aimed at improving the standard of the game at underage level across the county. He played a significant role in promoting the Joe McDonagh-inspired Scéim Iomána Dhá Mhíle, which effectively brought coaching to a new level in the county. His dedication led to historic success when he managed the Monaghan Under-16 hurlers to victory in the All-Ireland ‘C’ Final against Sligo in 2002, and two years later guided the county’s minor hurlers to All-Ireland ‘C’ success against Mayo in 2004 – the first and only occasions on which Monaghan has won these titles.
Mick also managed the Truagh senior hurlers for several years during the 2010s and, in recognition of his work and dedication to the club, a tree-planting ceremony took place there last May in his honour.
In addition to these achievements, Mick served as a selector and mentor with a number of our county teams from juvenile through to senior level and, at one stage, also stepped in as temporary manager of the Monaghan senior hurling team while the County Board was between appointments.
Mick passed away in 2018 at the age of 67. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to hurling in the county, the Monaghan Development Hurling League was renamed the Mick Hannon Development Hurling League in 2020, with the winners of the annual league awarded the Mick Hannon Cup
While his loss to his family was immense, his passing also deprived the GAA in Monaghan of a very dedicated worker whose love for the ancient game was immeasurable. It is therefore most fitting that this competition is dedicated to his memory.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
U-18 All-Ireland “C” Champions 2004
U-16 All-Ireland “C” Champions 2002
