Accony School

Sporting Heroes

These are some of the past pupils who have distinguished themselves at college, county, national or in some cases international level. We have probably omitted some people accidentally - if we have, please email us and we will add your name or the name of the person that we forgot. We would welcome details of past pupils of previous generations or those who distinguished themselves overseas.

 Mary Prendergast (neé Gibbons), Accony ... Camogie

 Agnes O'Donnell (neé Prendergast), Accony ... Camogie

 Alice Gavigan (neé Prendergast), Accony ... Football (Offaly)

 James Gibbons, Accony ... Football (see details below)

 John Gibbons, Accony ... Football & hurling (see details below)

 Myles Gibbons, Accony ... Football (see details below)

 Paddy Gibbons, Accony ... Football (see details below)

 Tom Gibbons, Accony ... Football (see details below)

 Geoffrey (Pat Lannon) Prendergast, Accony ... Football

 John Francis Prendergast, Accony ... Football

 John Joe (Tommy Lannon) Prendergast, Accony ... Football

 Francis Lyons, Accony ... Football

 John Lyons, Roonagh ... Football 

 Ray Lyons, Roonagh ... Football

 Tommy Lyons, Roonagh ... Football

 Tony Lyons, Roonagh ... Football

 Joe McHale, Emlagh ... Motor Sport

 Austin McHale, Emlagh ... Motor Sport

James 'Jock' McHale, Melbourne ... Aussie Rules Football (see seperate page)

Walter O'Malley, Askelane ... Bodybuilding

 Mikie McCormack, Pulgloss ... Currach Racing **

 James (Pat Lannon) Prendergast, Accony ... Boxing

 James (Pat Lannon) Prendergast (Junior), Accony ... Rugby

 James Gibbons, Roonagh ... Athletics

John Gibbons, selected for the 'Best Mayo Team, 1960-1990'.

Austin McHale in action, 2005

Victorious Accony Team, 1958

McHale Park Committee, 1950

Gibbons Footballers, Accony.

Myles Gibbons

Myles cut his footballing teeth with Louisburgh aged 14 in 1951 in the O’Toole Cup beating Killeen in the final (Accony had no team then). Won the O’Toole cup again in ’57 and ’58 with Accony. Played midfield for Louisburgh and captained them to a West Mayo title in 1957 beating Ballintubber. He joined An Garda Siochana in 1958.

Played with The Legion in Killarney with the famous Johnny Culloty and Weeshie Fogarty. While there he won an All Ireland Inter-Firms competition. He next played for The Desmonds of Castleisland at corner back beside the legendary Tim Tiger Lyons where he finished his career.  

James Gibbons

Started his football career by winning two O’Toole cups in 1957 and ’58. Played with Louisburgh until he joined Castlebar Mitchels in 1964 winning 2 county senior medals in ’68 and ’69 on a team that contained 13 inter-county players. During the 60’s James won four All Ireland medals playing with Castlebar Post Office Engineering team in ’62, ’64, ’68 and ’69. Returned to Louisburgh to win West Mayo in 1972.

Tom Gibbons

Apart from winning O’Toole Cup medals with Accony in 1957 and ‘58 and playing with Louisburgh, Tom played minor for Mayo in 1958 (along with his first cousin Michael 'Tansey' Lyons from the Colony) - they were beaten in the All Ireland final by Dublin . He played Junior for Mayo in 1959 and senior in 1960. He won a county senior medal with West Mayo in 1960 against Castlebar Mitchels. He marked his first cousin Tommy Lyons in that final. He won a county junior medal with Summerhill (Meath) in 1966 along with his brother Paddy. He won a West Mayo title with Louisburgh in 1972 along with his brothers James, Paddy & John. Another brother Geoffrey was a selector at that time. He won Intermediate title with Summerhill in 1973 and four senior titles in 1974, ’75, ’76 and ’77 with Summerhill as well as Leinster club championship in ’77. Finished off his career in Cork where he now lives by winning a league and championship double with Youghal in 1984 aged 44. Tom made national sports coverage in 1974 when he scored 29 goals and 108 points in 30 league, championship and Leinster club matches for Summerhill.

Paddy Gibbons

Started playing for Louisburgh at about 16. Like all before him Paddy played first for Accony winning the Canon Heaney Cup in 1957 before going on to win the O’Toole cups of ’57 and ’58. Played for Louisburgh before winning an All Ireland Colleges medal at fullback for St. Jarlath's College, Tuam in 1961. Suffered two serious knee injuries but returned with Summerhill in Meath to win Meath Junior championship in 1966 along with his brother Tom. Played with Civil Service in Dublin until he returned to play with Louisburgh in 1971 winning West Mayo title in ’72. Beaten in the Intermediate final in 1974 by Belmullet. Returned to Civil Service where he finished his Gaelic career. Played for 13 years at outhalf and fullback for Barnhall Rugby club winning Business Houses League in 1969.

John Gibbons

Started his football career by winning the Canon Heaney cup in 1957 with Accony playing with his brothers Paddy and Geoffrey. Played hurling and football for St. Mary’s College, Galway where he won two Connacht Junior and two Connacht Senior hurling medals. Played minor football for Mayo in 1963, ’64 and ’65 winning two Connacht titles in ’63 and ’64. Played Under 21 for Mayo in ’65, ’66, ’67 and ’68 winning 2 Connacht titles in ’67 and ’68 as well as All Ireland in ’67. Played senior for Mayo from ’65 to ’73 winning a Connacht title in ’67 and a National League in 1970. Lost two league finals to Kerry in ’71 and ’72.

Won Connacht Junior medal with Mayo in 1970 as he had not played senior championship in ’69. Won West Mayo junior championships with Louisburgh in ’72 , ’87 and ’89  as well as county title in ’87 though he did not play in the final due to illness. Was captain of Mayo in ’72 and ’73. Played for Connacht in ’72 in the Railway Cup but beaten by the Combined Universities. Got a replacement Carrolls All Star award in 1973. Played for Meath from ’75 to ’78 inclusive winning two O’Byrne Cup medals but beaten in two Leinster finals by Dublin in ’76 and ’77. Won four Meath Senior championships with Summerhill in ’75, ’76, ’77 and ’86 as well as Leinster Club championship in ’77 with his brother Tom. Also played hurling for Mayo at minor, Under 21 and Junior level.

Mikie McCormack

Currach Racing Champion at Old Head

c.1955

It is with deep regret that we learned of Mikie's death in May, 2010. He was an inspiration to us at last year's Reunion. Our sincere sympathy goes to all his extended family.