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John Joe Lavin - A Great Sporting Star by Eamonn Cummins Kingsland N.S. 1922-1933. 

John Joe Lavin

Born in Ardsoran, Killaraght, near the Roscommon border, he and his brother, Tom, later to become Dr. Lavin, showed an early aptitude or field sports. Football and athletics took much of their leisure time. John Joe's football career was indeed a colourful one. At club level, he represented Gurteen, Coolera, Derroon and Ballymote in Sligo at different times. Two of his fondest memories were winning a County Junior Championship with Gurteen in 1944 and later a Senior medal with Ballymote in 1948.

His intercounty involvement spanned a period that lasted from 1937 to 1961, and during that spell, he was an automatic choice for Railway Cup teams for eight years, where he played as fullback and half-forward from 1942 to 1949. What were his greatest thrills with the Sligo Senior County Team? He has no doubt about that.Coming first in his priorities was that historic draw with Roscommon in 1944. It will be remembered that Roscommon had won the All-Ireland title the previous year and were on their way to a double when John Joe's Sligo scared the daylights out of them on that Sunday in June. A draw was the result and Roscommon went on to win the replay and eventually collect their second and last national title. 

But John Joe Lavin, in addition to his football accomplishments, was an athlete of notability. Shortly after taking up football, he turned to Athletics. In local competitions, one of which was held in Micky Ward's field, he was regarded as invincible. In 1941, he entered for the Connacht Championships and won the Long Jump and Hop, Step and Jump Championships. 

Other achievements in the sport were: 

  • All-Ireland titles Triple Jump (Hop, Step & Jump) - 1943, 1944 and 1945.

  • Connacht Senior Long Jump - 1941

  • Connacht Senior Long Jump - 1942

  • Connacht Senior 100 Yards - 1941

  • Connacht Senior Hop, Step and Jump - 1943

  • Connacht Senior Hop, Step and Jump - 1944

  • Connacht Senior Hop, Step and Jump - 1945

  • Connacht Senior 16 lb. Shot - 1945

Possibly, John Joe's greatest achievement in sport was. in 1943 when -he-·carried off the "Flannelly" Cup for being the best all round athlete in Ireland. John Joe was made President of Sligo G.A.A. in 1971, a position he still holds. He was awarded the Hall of Fame by Co. Roscommon V.E.C. Sports Advisory Body in 1994. He now lives in Drumcondra, Dublin.

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