Offaly native living with dementia recalls Mayo's previous All-Ireland win

A 96-year-old Offaly native living with dementia has shared his experience of attending Mayo's previous All-Ireland senior football win in 1951, a special memory Sean McEvoy has cherished with his wife Teresa for more than six decades.

As Mayo go in search of a first All-Ireland senior football win in 75 years at Croke Park on Sunday, Sean's recollection of the last time the county lifted the Sam Maguire highlights the importance of memories, relationships and living well with dementia.

The Athlone resident has shared the story with his wife Teresa, a Mayo native and lifelong football supporter, throughout their 61 years of marriage.

Sean, who is living with dementia attends The Alzheimer's Society of Ireland's Athlone Day Care Service.

Originally from Offaly, Sean attended the match after travelling by train from Ferbane to Dublin with a friend. They had no tickets for the game but, according to family recollections, a Garda they knew at the time helped them get into Croke Park.

Sean often described watching the match sitting on the grass, a world away from the modern stadium supporters know today.

"They had very little money in those days. Sean always described it as a fantastic match. He talked about it all through our marriage," Teresa said.

Sean particularly remembered Mayo footballer Dr Pádraig Carney, known as 'The Flying Doctor', who played a key role in Mayo's victory that day.

The 1951 final is remembered as one of Mayo football's landmark victories, with Mayo defeating Meath to secure consecutive All-Ireland titles.

Teresa, a Mayo woman herself and a huge football fan, recalls many Sundays spent watching football together over the decades.

The couple met at a dance in New York in the 1960s.

"The craic was mighty," Teresa recalled.

They married after ten months. After marrying Sean, Teresa said: "I never looked back."

The couple later returned to Ireland and settled in Athlone in 1975.

"When we were in America, we'd sometimes have someone at home put the phone beside the radio so we could listen to the match commentary," Teresa said.

Over more than six decades of marriage, watching All-Ireland finals together became a tradition.

"On the Sunday, we'd have the dinner early. We'd sit down, all set for the match. We wouldn't even be talking to each-other, we'd be glued to the screen," Teresa added.

Today, Sean attends The ASI's Athlone Day Service, which Teresa says has been a tremendous support.

"We're very grateful for the centre. It's lovely down there and Sean can't speak highly enough of the staff," Teresa stated.

While dementia has brought challenges, Teresa says it has never taken away the qualities she most admires in her husband.

"Sean is a great husband and a great father. He always treated me very well.

"He always had very good sense and knew the right thing to do. He has a great sense of humour and he still has all those qualities," she continued.

Teresa believes social connection remains vitally important for brain health and overall wellbeing.

"I'm always saying to Sean that talking to people, talking to younger people, is great for the brain and he agrees with me," Teresa said.

She hopes that by sharing Sean's story, more people will recognise the importance of preserving people's stories and understand that it is possible to live well after a dementia diagnosis.

"I just want people to know that it is not all doom and gloom. Yes, he has dementia, but he still has all those great qualities, and we had a great life together. These stories are important. They are people's legacies," she added.

Leanne Taitt, Manager of The ASI's Athlone Day Service, said:

"Sean loves to share the story of attending the 1951 All-Ireland final. His story is a reminder that it is possible to live well with dementia and continue to enjoy the people, memories and interests that are important to you, particularly with the right support.

"Teresa's love and support have helped ensure Sean continues to enjoy the conversations and interests that are so important to him," Leanne said.

For more information on The ASI's Athlone Day Service, contact Leanne Taitt at 086 607 5089.