Michael Newman who was Meath's 1939 All-Ireland final mascot passes away
November 25, 2019
Mascot Michael Newman with the Meath senior team before the start of the 1939 All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry in Croke Park
Michael Newman, who recently passed away in Boolavogue. Co Wexford, was Meath's mascot for the 1939 All-Ireland senior football final which Kerry won by 2-5 to 2-3.
That was the first time for the Royal County to contest the Sam Maguire Cup decider and their first appearance in the final since another Munster team, Tipperary, denied them in the 1895 title tie, played at Jones's Road in March of the following year.
Young Newman from Bohermeen was a son of County Board vice-chairman Sean Newman, who had served as chairman from 1921 to '37. He was captain of the Bohermeen Geraldines team which won six Meath SFC titles in succession, 1909 to '14 and again in 1916 and led the Royals to a Croke Cup victory in 1912, the first trophy gained by a team representing the county.
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In the Meath Chronicle's reports of the 1939 final, the following appeared: "Meath's mascot on Sunday was Master Michael Newman, son of Mr Sean Newman, the popular vice-chairman of the Meath GAA. Michael, who was an attractive little figure in his green and gold jersey and white shorts, earned general admiration by his manly way and carried himself at the head of the team with head erect and shoulders square."
Michael Newman had been living in Wexford for a number of years. His funeral Mass was celebrated in St Cormac's Church, Boolavogue followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
The deceased is survived by wife Ann, daughters Kathleen and many other relatives, some of them in Meath.
