The Incredible Leonard McGrath
Galway Dual Star G.A.A. Medal Collection
An important and unique collection of All-Ireland Medals, Provincial Medals and other related material relating to Leonard Mc Grath, to include:
(a) A 9ct gold shield shaped and pierced Medal with cross hurls on the obverse inscribed "Erins Hope" the reverse inscribed "Jun. H. League 1917";
(b) A 9ct gold circular Medal, the obverse with engraved Provincial Arms (Connaught) and Shamrocks, the reverse inscribed "Connacht Senior Finals Championships 1922, won by Galway
(c) A 9ct gold All-Ireland Winners Medal Celtic Cross with pierced decoration, central harp and Eire across, the reverse inscribed "All Ireland Hurling Championship 1923, won by Galway - Leonard McGrath," hallmarked.
· Having been perennial whipping boys for years, the Tribesmen came of age, they beat Kilkenny in the Leinster Final 5-4 to 2-0, Galway claimed their first title with a resounding 7-4 to 4-5 victory over Limerick.
(d) A circular 9ct gold Medal with pierced and engraved design, the obverse with shield of Connaught Coat of Arms and inscribed "Connradh Connacht," the reverse inscribed "Senior Football Championship 1925, won by Galway," hallmarked.
(e) A 9ct gold All-Ireland winners Medal, Celtic Cross with central shield shaped harp and Eire across the centre, the reverse inscribed "All Ireland Football Championship 1925, won by Galway ( L. Mc Grath) hallmarked.
· Galway played Mayo in the Final in Tuam, in front of a crowd of 16,000. The result was a score line of 1-5 to 1-3, in a championship that saw both Cavan and Kerry expelled due to ineligible players. This however brought All-Ireland glory to Galway for the first time.
(f) A shield shaped 9ct gold Medal the obverse engraved with Provincial Coat of Arms for all provinces the centre with raised football design, the reverse inscribed "Inter Provincial Football Competition 1925 - Won by Galway" hallmarked.
* This match was arranged to generate funds for the lost Revenue for the G.A.A.
due to the unsettled championship of 1925. It was known as the Replacement
All-Ireland.
(g) A 9ct gold circular Medal, the obverse with side profile of a Queen, and inscribed "An Bainriogan Tailte," the reverse "Aonach Tailteann - Baile Atha Cliath 1924 - Football L.J. McG (Leonard Mc Grath) hallmarked.
· This was the first of this revival Irish Sporting and Cultural Festival which was an International event. It also ran in 1928 and 1932, before its abrupt ending.
(h) A circular silver gilt Medal, the obverse depicting a Rugby scene with figures, the reverse "I.R.F.U." C.B. (Connaught Branch) Senior League 1926 - 27, hallmarked.
· The 1926/1927 Championship saw Galwegians beat U.C.G. 3-0. This was their second title of 4 in a row.
(i) An engraved and pierced Celtic Cross design silver Medal, inscribed "Feis Breandáin Naomhra, Baile Ioca Riach (Ballinasloe) 1925, hallmarked
(j) A Celtic Cross design silver Medal, inscribed "Feis Bhreandaina Beal a Atha na Shiaigh 1926, hall marked (Faller, Galway)
(k) A bronze circular Medal "Sligo Feis Ceoil" decorated with typical motifs (uninscribed).
(l) An attractive silver cross shaped pierced and engraved Medal with centre shield shaped
Relief inscribed "L.Mc.G", the reverse inscribed 'S.M.L.C. 2 Years', hallmarked.
(m) A large bundle of Musical Scores including 'The Rose of Tralee'; 'Down by the Sally
Gardens'; 'The Green Hills of Ireland', and many more; mostly inscribed by Leonard
McGrath.
Used during his competitions at various singing events and Feis Ceoils.
Leonard McGrath was born in Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia. As a young boy he returned to his parent's native land and was reared in Galway. He qualified as a teacher in 1918 at St. Patrick's College. In 1922 he came to the fore and was a member of the Galway Senior Hurling XV, winning a Connaught title. He was subsequently chosen and starred at full forward to win Galway's first Hurling All Ireland. He showed his versatility in sports by also been chosen to represent his adopted county in football and played on the winning 1925 team, which also was the county's first title in Football. He became the county's first dual star, and only player to achieve success in both codes. McGrath is a member of an elite group of only 16 players to achieve this accolade, in the G.A.A.'s long history.
He also played rugby and was a member of the winning Galwegians team beating U.C.G. 3-0 in the 1926-27 Season. This brought with it a caveat, he was duly expelled from the G.A.A. for playing a 'Foreign Sport'.
Off the field he was a highly regarded singer and participated in many Feis Ceoils, and other singing competitions.
He excelled in Golf and Cricket.
A true all-rounder on and off the field, a forgotten member of Irish sport.
A Unique Collection.
Provenance: By direct Family descent. (1)
![[The Leinster Regiment] pte. J. Payne (3010)
Military: World War One, a small collection of Badges and Buttons including bra](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/c312c51d-2415-402e-a17e-aba300f5067b/6f8859a4-add3-4b5f-b6ad-aba50108dedd/468x382.jpg)
