Louth footballer star of the 1940's and early 1950's, Brendan Nevin, who died recently, was a native of Derrymullen, a famous sporting village on the edge of Ballinasloe town. Brendan grew up dreaming of winning an All-Ireland medal with his native Galway but life took him outside the county and although he had already won County Senior Championships in Galway, with a star studded Ballinasloe team, he first made a GAA scene when he helped Louth win the 1948 Leinster Championship, defeating Dublin along the way. Brendan, a particularly skillful forward, got on the scoresheet against the Dubs and also against Longford and Meath. A fine gentleman, much respected and admired by all who knew him, Brendan moved from the West to Dundalk in 1946, to work for Connolly shoe's, makers of the legendary Blackthorn football boots, and in time he became a Director of the company. He played club football in Dundalk, with great success, and in his "Wee County" career many of his Louth team-mates were famous names, such as Stephen White and Eddie Boyle. Brendan also won a Leinster medal with Louth in 1950, but while all Gaelic football people were back in Ballinasloe were happy for him, they reflected ruefully that he was a major loss to Galway, which shows the esteem he was held in by his peers in his native place, which perhaps was the highest and most genuine tribute paid to him. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam usual. Tuam Herald, 11/12/08 Tweet

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