Anthony Molloy at the Civic Reception held in his on honour on Tuesday 7 June 2016
Anthony Molloy was honoured with the Freedom of Donegal on Tuesday evening last. Surrounded by his family and friends, he accepted the prestigious award from Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Ciaran Brogan. “I am very honoured to receive such a prestigious award and I am a very proud Irish man and a very proud Donegal man.
Seamus Neely, Chief Executive, Donegal County Council, Cllr. Ciaran Brogan, Cathaoirleach, Anthony Molloy and Sean Dunnion, Chairman of Donegal GAA County Board
Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Ciaran Brogan led the tributes to Anthony Molloy saying “it brings me great pleasure along with the elected members of Donegal County Council to bestow the highest honour of the county to Anthony Molloy, in recognition of his contribution to Gaelic football in County Donegal and Ireland and his excellent works as an ambassador among the Donegal Diaspora.”
Liam Ward, Donegal County Council, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, Cathaoirleach, Anthony Molloy and Seamus Neely, CE, Donegal County Council at the Civic Reception on Tuesday night
Chief Executive, Seamus Neely added to the accolades, “The win in ‘92 was a significant achievement, a huge success in the sporting field. Anthony took this success and leveraged it further by visiting schools and showing our youngsters the potential that they could achieve”.
Family members with Anthony Molloy at the Civic Reception held in his on honour on Tuesday 7 June 2016 where the Freedom of County Donegal was bestowed on him. Also in the photo: Seamus Neely, Chief Executive, Donegal County Council, Cllr. Ciaran Brogan, Cathaoirleach and Sean Dunnion, Chairman of Donegal GAA County Board
In his address Sean Dunnion, Chairman of Donegal GAA County Board said “Anthony Molloy is a great player, young and old love him. History was made when Captain Anthony Molloy brought the Sam Maguire cup to Donegal in ’92 and again today he is making history as he is the first member of the GAA to be bestowed the Freedom of the County.”
Michael Murphy, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, Anthony Molloy, Brian McEniff and Rory Gallagher pictured at the Civic Reception held in honour of Anthony Molloy on Tuesday 7 June 2016 where he received the Freedom of County Donegal
An emotional Anthony Molloy said he was greatly honoured to be receiving this accolade saying “I come from a very isolated, beautiful spot in Ardara, high above Glengesh Pass. It doesn’t matter where you come from, I made the effort, put in the hard work and was rewarded with success”.
Anthony Molloy with his nephews following the Civic Reception held on Tuesday night
“In ’92, I was humbled to be afforded the privilege to walk up the steps on the Hogan stand and pick up the Sam Maguire cup for Donegal. It was the greatest day of my life. Today again, I’m totally honoured, humbled and proud to be the recipient of this great award, but I’d have to accept this award on behalf of the ‘82 team, the ‘83 team, the ‘90 team and the ‘92 team.”
Anthony Molloy at the Civic Reception held in his on honour on Tuesday 7 June 2016
Former team manager, Brian McEniff was joined by Molloy’s team-mates from ’92, including Gary Walsh, Donal Reid, Sylvester Maguire, Noel Hegarty, Matt Gallagher, Martin McHugh, Charlie Mulgrew, Martin Gavigan, Mark Crossan and Martin Shovlin at Tuesday’s ceremony. Also present was club colleagues, current and former County Board officials and Donegal senior football team manager Rory Gallagher and captain Michael Murphy.
Michael Murphy and Anthony Molloy at the Civic Reception on Tuesday night
Anthony Molloy is only the seventh person to receive the Freedom of Donegal. Other recipients of Donegal’s highest honour include former goalkeepers, Packie Bonnar and Shay Given, athletics manager Patsy McGonagle, singer Daniel O’Donnell, musician Phil Coulter and the Irish Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion.
Anthony Molloy at the Civic Reception held in his on honour on Tuesday 7 June 2016