Few figures in the GAA carry the kind of presence and intrigue that Paul Galvin does.
A former Kerry All-Ireland winner, multiple-time All-Star, and fashion-forward trailblazer, Galvin has always cut an interesting figure, both on and off the field.
Whether you admired his skill and insatiable work-rate, or followed his writing and design work outside the game, Galvin has long existed in that rare space: a footballer with an aura. His playing days with Kerry were defined by grit and hunger; his post-playing career has taken him on several different paths including coaching, fashion designing and broadcasting.
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Now, in his latest chapter with Ratoath, Paul Galvin is bringing that energy to a quickly expanding Meath club and it’s clearly making an impact.
Meath star Jack Flynn reveals interesting insight into Galvin’s management style
Jack Flynn, fresh from helping Ratoath book their place in another Meath Senior Football Championship final with a 0-22 to 0-11 win over Skryne, gave an honest and light-hearted view on what it’s been like having Galvin in charge this year.
I don’t know about quiet now, you’d need earplugs around him. He’s been great for us this year, he’s really bringing on the young lads.
We’ve got a good squad there, a few injuries, lads coming in to finish out the game and a lot of them with minimal senior championship experience and he’s brought all them on this year. So happy now and looking forward to two weeks’ time.
8 September 2024; Jack Flynn of Ratoath during the Meath County Senior Club Football Championship Group D Round 3 match between Rathkenny and Ratoath at Páirc Tailteann in Navan, Meath. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Ratoath are a growing force in Meath having been first-time winners in 2019, they followed that up with wins in 2020 and 2022, are now one win away from winning their fourth title the title they lost to Summerhill and Meath captain Eoghan Frayne in 2023.
Galvin’s group is one half of the club’s effort at a remarkable double, with 12 dual players involved as Ratoath’s hurlers have also qualified for the Meath Senior Hurling Championship final.
It’s a busy few weeks ahead, but in Paul Galvin, Ratoath have a man well used to delivering when the stakes are highest.
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