Fond memories of one of the true greats of Granard football

Charlie Martin, a St Mary’s Granard footballing legend passed away on December 23, 2023 after being ill for some time.

Charlie was a member of the famous Martin family that played a huge part in the history of St Mary’s Granard and in their championship successes in the ‘60’s.

Charlie’s passing means that the four captains of the four Senior Championship winning teams since the club was reformed in 1954 are now deceased. The other three are: Sean O’ Rourke (1966), Martin Clyne (1967), and Pauric Kearney (1982). Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dhilis.

Born on August 18, 1946 in the townland of Cartron, Charlie won his first championship medal, (Primary Schools) in 1960. Even then it was obvious that a fine, exciting, footballer was in the making. He had all the qualities: skill, courage, determination, great anticipation and always led by example. He was later honoured with the captaincy of U21 and senior teams.

His pen-picture for that Schoolboy Championship final in the Longford Leader reads. “Charlie Martin (14) - Another of the Martin footballers. Plays centre-half and it’s hard to get past him.” He was a vital part of this school's team that won both league and championship that year, and was described as ‘outstanding’ in the league final.

He played his part in the U16 Championship success in 1961, and three years later gave an outstanding performance in the Minor Championship Final win over St Sinneach’s.

CAPTION: St Mary's Granard squad pictured at the 1966 Longford Senior Football Championship semi-final - Back row from left: H O'Rourke, B Burns, T McGovern, C Henry, J O'Donnell, F Sheridan, T Sheridan, M Drumm, M Burns, O Kearney, M Daly. Front row from left: M Clyne, J Sheridan, D Kiernan, P Sheridan, S O'Rourke, P Columb, J Devine, C Martin, J Brennan, J Neilon, R Martin

Charlie’s football career continued on an upward spiral. He was voted U21 captain in 1965 and played an important part in our Senior Championship win in 1966. The Longford Leader, in its report on the Senior Championship semi-final win over Clonguish stated – “Charlie Martin was another to shine and he specialised in snapping up loose balls and more often than not placed his clearance to an unmarked colleague.”

In the 1967 Championship Final win over Carrickedmond, the power and dash of Charlie and his ability to turn alert defence into quick attack played a big part in St Mary’s victory. 1968 was a great year for St Mary’s with the treble U21 Championship success of ’66, ’67 (both delayed) and ’68 with Charlie involved in the ’66 and ’67 wins.

1970 was the year Charlie (as captain) led us to Senior Championship Final victory over Clonguish which was the highlight of his career. There is no team photo of St Mary’s taken at this final.

Local legend has it that the reason there is no team photo taken at that final was – Charlie was leading our players out onto the pitch from the scoreboard end of the grounds and the photographer called him to get the Granard players over for a photo.

Charlie’s reply (a symbol of his determination) was: “we didn’t come here to get our photo taken, we came to win a championship.” And no better man than Charlie to lead us to that championship win.

Speaking to players who played with, and against him, at that time, all had great things to say about him: a great footballer; had all the skills; fierce determination to win the next ball, never mind the game; a great team player and his support play during a game was immense. Everyone who played with or watched Charlie playing during that time would always pick him on the greatest St Mary’s team over the last 70 years. Reading match reports from the Longford Leader from that time, Charlie was always to the fore when it mattered most.

Jimmy Fox (Sean Connolly’s) tells a great story about refereeing a game in Granard during the 60’s. The teams were on the pitch when Charlie came up to Jimmy before the game and said, “My name is Charlie Martin, you can take my name now because you’ll be taking it during the game anyway.”

Charlie wore the Blue and Gold on many occasions for the Longford Juniors and was on the Longford Senior panel that won the 1972 Division 2 National League, having played in many of the games.

He retired from senior club football in 1982 which made him eligible to play in the 1983 Junior Championship. Once involved Charlie took matters seriously and returned to his regimental training regime. As matches were won, momentum built up and low and behold the team reached the final where Young Grattans, who were solely junior, provided the opposition. On final day it was as if Pearse Park was caught in a 1960’s time warp. The red haired warrior of old rolled back the years and gave a breath-taking display of classy and determined football. The Leader stated: “Charlie Martin was undoubtedly Granard’s Man of the Match. In the opening half he held the defence together and when he moved to the attack after the interval he caused the winners defence no end of trouble.”

Alas! That was the end of a great and glorious footballing career and though on the losing side, Charlie’s swan song was a most fitting finale. He will always be remembered, by all who saw him play, as one of the true greats of Granard football. Every game was played from deep within his soul and in doing so he gave his all.

The football boots were now hung up, but Charlie’s sporting exploits had not ended. He went on to become involved in one of his great passions which was shooting and being the highly motivated individual that he was, he won many awards and represented his country at international level.

When the final whistle was blown on Charlie’s earthly existence he left the arena of life, just as he had lived: in his very own quiet and unobtrusive manner.

Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís

CAPTION: This was the ball used in the 1966 senior championship final, that Rogie Martin (brother of the late Charlie) has kept since then. The jersey is a Granard one from early 70's

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The Boy Charlie

As the clothes line swayed with St Mary’s jerseys of blue,
Young Charlie kicked the ball wishing his dreams true.
He dreamed to be like his brother,
‘Cos for him there was no other.
Big brother Rogie was the man,
I’ll play like him if I can.

Don’t dirty the clothes I’m after hanging out,
Came an order from his mother delivered in a shout.
I can kick straight and I can catch high, and solo too,
Look at me mother and see that it’s true.
You’re a great boy said mother and someday you’ll shine.
But for God’s sake, mind those clothes on the line.

The jerseys now laundered and ready for the fray,
When Charlie would wear one was not far away.
Sundays came and Martin’s garden did fill,
With young lads playing ball with hours to kill.
Charlie was always one of the best.
Admired by one and all of the rest.