Alan Dillon
Encyclopedia
Alan Dillon is a current Irish Gaelic Footballer. He plies his trade locally with Ballintubber GAA Club and is a member of the Mayo Senior Football Team since 2003.
Club
Dillon plays his club football with Ballintubber GAA Club and is the spine of the current team. He made his debut with the senior team in 1999 when he was a current Mayo Minor footballer and he has been a regular fixture in the half forward line ever since.
In 2007 Ballintubber won their first Intermediate Championship Final since 1990 where Dillon scored 0-6 from 0-9 points to see the Sweeney Cup return to the Abbeysiders after a 17 year wait. http://www.youtube.com/user/AbbeySider07#p/u/7/rMo69QUD1kQ . That game, coupled with an expectional championship campaign saw Dillon deservedly collect for his second Mayo News Club All-Star Award in October 2007. Dillon has gone onto claim 3 more of these prestigious awards namely in 2008, 2009 and 2010 which are awarded to recognise the extraordinary contributions made at club level in County Mayo. October 24th 2010 was a historical day which saw Ballintubber land their first ever Mayo County Senior Title & fittingly Dillon picked up the man of the match accolade alongside his first County Senior Medal. The club made history by retaining the title on 23rd October 2011, joining such clubs as Garrymore, Aghamore, Knockmore, Crossmolina to name a few, in landing The Double. The club captured the Division 1A League Title too to cap off a very successive year in the county.
Minor
Alan Dillon first came to prominence on the inter-county scene at minor grade in 1999. 1999 was a busy year for the young Ballintubber clubman as his first (and only) taste of All-Ireland glory came in the form of an All-Ireland Vocational Schools title in May 1999. That Mayo side captured, what now is, a rare All-Ireland title after seeing off stiff competition from a Tyrone side who had the likes of Kevin Hughes, Eoin Mulligan an Enda Mc Ginley in their ranks. http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/05/10/gaa.htm Dillon lined out for the Mayo Minor Team that same year alongside his older brother Gary at full forward, while the elder of the brothers occupied the right corner forward berth. Only two of the 15 Mayo players who featured that summer – Alan Dillon and Billy Joe Padden – are part of the county senior set-up twelve years on. Padden has since moved to Armagh in 2011, as he is married & living in Newry. http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7121&Itemid=39 . That year Mayo Minors reached the All-Ireland Minor Football Final v Down for the first time since 1991. They were defeated that day on a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-14. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbBPurOTwfs
Dillon returned with avenges the following year and after capturing his 2nd Connaught Title at minor grade he again was part of a minor side to feature in Croke Park on All-Ireland Minor Final day. 2-12 to 0-13 was the final scoreline as a Cork side inspired by James Masters and featuring Noel O'Leary had five points to spare over a Mayo team that included current stars Conor Mortimer and Alan Dillon. That defeat came just 12 months after they had lost the 1999 final to Benny Coulter's Down.
U-21
Dillon made the transgression from minor to u-21 grade seem effortless. He debuted with Mayo U-21s in 2000 whilst still a Mayo Minor in his second year. He tasted success with the U-21 side only 5 months after losing his second successive All-Ireland Minor Final and he showed promise from the outset although he was only 19 years old. His first U-21 title win with Mayo U-21’s was the Hastings Cup Final v Tyrone played on Saturday 17th February 2001 in Longford. After a ninety-minute titanic struggle against the strongly-fancied Tyrone side, Kevin McStay's managed Mayo team emerged victorious by two points to win the Hastings Cup for the first time where Alan Dillon put Mayo two points clear seconds from the end. Both sides met again in the All-Ireland Championship U-21 Final that April,a game which was on hold for almost five months after Mayo beat Meath in that years semi-final.The foot and mouth virus stopped the Ulster sides playing until late in the year. By the time the final came around , the Mayo team had gone off the boil, injuries and loss of form cost them dearly where they succumbed to a much stronger Tyrone side on a scoreline of Tyrone 0-13 to Mayo 0-10.http://www.inpho.ie/assignment/6-10-2001-All-Ireland-U-21-Final-/OY-i8SAzxBmjqZh60CLZYA..a Dillon played with Mayo until 2003, winning 2 U21 Connaught Medals, captaining his side to a Connaught Title in 2003. That year Dillon debuted with the Mayo Senior Football Team.
Senior
Alan Dillon has won 4 Senior Connaught Medals with Mayo in 2004, 2006, 2009 & 2011. Dillon broke into the Senior set up admirably & made his debut against Sligo in Markievicz Park in the Connaught semi-final on 8th June 2003. Mayo beat Sligo 0-14 to 0-11 that day with Dillon scoring 0-1 from the wing forward berth. He was ably assisted that day with notable performances from David Heaney at full back, Fergal Kelly at midfield (also making his debut) and Declan Sweeney occupying full forward. Mayo were beaten by Galway in the Connaught Final that year 1-14 to 0-13 & eventually fell to Fermanagh in the Qualifers.
In 2004, Mayo regained the Connacht title with ease following facile wins over New York, Galway and Roscommon. Mayo followed this success with a surprise victory over reigning All-Ireland Champions Tyrone in the All-Ireland Quarter Final on a scoreline of 0-16 (16) to 1-09 (12) where Dillon notched up 6 points from play http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7jxX1Yzdgs . However, Mayo's form rapidly deteriorated following this win, and the team struggled to see off surprise semi-finalists Fermanagh following a replay before losing the All-Ireland Final to Kerry by eight points on a scoreline of 1-20 (23) to 2-9 (15). Dillon nailed his first Croke Park goal into the Hill after 4 mins on this day.
Mayo failed to retain their Connacht title in 2005 and, following a three point All-Ireland Quarter Final defeat to Kerry the same year, Maughan again resigned as manager.
In 2006, Mickey Moran became Mayo's first manager from outside the county since Jack O'Shea managed the team in the early 1990s. Moran guided the team to another Connacht title with David Heaney lifting the Nestor Cup on 16th July 2006 on a scoreline of 0-12 to 1-08, Dillon scoring 2points. Following an unconvincing replay victory over Laois in the All-Ireland Quarter Final, Mayo produced arguably their greatest performance of the modern era to come from seven points behind with 20 minutes remaining to defeat favourites Dublin on a scoreline of 1-16 (19) to 2-12 (18) in the All-Ireland Semi-Final in front of an attendance of 82,300 at Croke Park. This was without doubt one of the most memorable games for Mayo & it was fitting that Dillon would feature so prominately on that big occasion, racking up 4 points from play & collecting a prestigous Man of the Match accolade. Kerry again awaited Mayo in the All Ireland Final and for the third time in 10 years they defeated Mayo, this time on a scoreline of 4-15 (27) to 3-5 (14). Despite the relative success of the 2006 season, rumours persisted of divisions between Moran and the Mayo County Board and Moran was not retained as manager for the 2007 season. In 2006, Alan Dillon was duly awarded for his efforts & he received his GAA All-Star alongside Conor Mortimer whilst Keith Higgins picked up the Young Player of the Year accolade. Mayo have amassed a total of 25 All-Stars since the scheme was officially initiated in 1971 with Andy Moran the last player to receive an All-Star for Mayo in 2011. Dillon was named on the GPA Team of the Year at wing forward & embarked on the GAA All-Stars Trip to Dubai in January 2007.
In 2007, John O'Mahony returned as Mayo manager following a 16 year absence during which he had won a Connacht title with Leitrim (1994) as well as two All-Ireland titles with Galway (1998 and 2001) and in his first season led the team to the National League Final, where they were defeated by Donegal. Mayo have retained their Division 1 status to date under O'Mahony, but failed to win a Connacht title or reach the last eight of the All-Ireland Football Championship during the first two years of his tenure.
In 2008, the team reached the last 12 of the All Ireland Championship, but were narrowly beaten by Tyrone, who went on to become All Ireland Champions.
An injury time point by Peader Gardiner saw Mayo win their first Connacht Title since O'Mahony's return, and their 42nd title overall, when they beat Galway in the 2009 Connacht Final on a scoreline of 2-12 (18) to 1-14 (17). Trevor Mortimer was captain on that day.
2010 was a disappointing year for Mayo, despite reaching the National League Final, they were beaten by Cork, and defeat followed in the Connacht Championship First Round by Sligo. This was followed up by a humiliating All-Ireland Qualifier Round 1 loss to Longford and times in Mayo football were grim. John O'Mahony immediately stepped down as Mayo manager to be replaced by James Horan. Horan was fresh of the back of managing his club to their first ever County Senior Title with Ballintubber.
After suffering a scare in London in the First Round of the 2011 Connacht Championship, Mayo won that year’s Championship by beating Roscommon in a rain sodden Dr. Hyde Park on July 17th 2011. Alan Dillon lifted the Nestor Cup as Mayo Senior Captain. Mayo were underdogs going into the All-Ireland Quarter Final against reigning Champions Cork, but went on to win by four points. This was the shock of the Championship 2011. Disappointingly their campaign ended at the Semi Final stage with a nine point defeat to those boys again from Kerry. Mayo, although disappointed will be happy with their first year under James Horan.
2011 saw Alan Dillon capture his 4th Connaught Senior Medal as captain, 2nd County Club Medal with Ballintubber GAA & 1st Division 1A League Title also. He was nominated for a second GAA All-Star & is currently nominated for his 6th Mayo News Club All-Star which takes place on Dec 10th 2011.
Club
Dillon plays his club football with Ballintubber GAA Club and is the spine of the current team. He made his debut with the senior team in 1999 when he was a current Mayo Minor footballer and he has been a regular fixture in the half forward line ever since.
In 2007 Ballintubber won their first Intermediate Championship Final since 1990 where Dillon scored 0-6 from 0-9 points to see the Sweeney Cup return to the Abbeysiders after a 17 year wait. http://www.youtube.com/user/AbbeySider07#p/u/7/rMo69QUD1kQ . That game, coupled with an expectional championship campaign saw Dillon deservedly collect for his second Mayo News Club All-Star Award in October 2007. Dillon has gone onto claim 3 more of these prestigious awards namely in 2008, 2009 and 2010 which are awarded to recognise the extraordinary contributions made at club level in County Mayo. October 24th 2010 was a historical day which saw Ballintubber land their first ever Mayo County Senior Title & fittingly Dillon picked up the man of the match accolade alongside his first County Senior Medal. The club made history by retaining the title on 23rd October 2011, joining such clubs as Garrymore, Aghamore, Knockmore, Crossmolina to name a few, in landing The Double. The club captured the Division 1A League Title too to cap off a very successive year in the county.
Minor
Alan Dillon first came to prominence on the inter-county scene at minor grade in 1999. 1999 was a busy year for the young Ballintubber clubman as his first (and only) taste of All-Ireland glory came in the form of an All-Ireland Vocational Schools title in May 1999. That Mayo side captured, what now is, a rare All-Ireland title after seeing off stiff competition from a Tyrone side who had the likes of Kevin Hughes, Eoin Mulligan an Enda Mc Ginley in their ranks. http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/05/10/gaa.htm Dillon lined out for the Mayo Minor Team that same year alongside his older brother Gary at full forward, while the elder of the brothers occupied the right corner forward berth. Only two of the 15 Mayo players who featured that summer – Alan Dillon and Billy Joe Padden – are part of the county senior set-up twelve years on. Padden has since moved to Armagh in 2011, as he is married & living in Newry. http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7121&Itemid=39 . That year Mayo Minors reached the All-Ireland Minor Football Final v Down for the first time since 1991. They were defeated that day on a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-14. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbBPurOTwfs
Dillon returned with avenges the following year and after capturing his 2nd Connaught Title at minor grade he again was part of a minor side to feature in Croke Park on All-Ireland Minor Final day. 2-12 to 0-13 was the final scoreline as a Cork side inspired by James Masters and featuring Noel O'Leary had five points to spare over a Mayo team that included current stars Conor Mortimer and Alan Dillon. That defeat came just 12 months after they had lost the 1999 final to Benny Coulter's Down.
U-21
Dillon made the transgression from minor to u-21 grade seem effortless. He debuted with Mayo U-21s in 2000 whilst still a Mayo Minor in his second year. He tasted success with the U-21 side only 5 months after losing his second successive All-Ireland Minor Final and he showed promise from the outset although he was only 19 years old. His first U-21 title win with Mayo U-21’s was the Hastings Cup Final v Tyrone played on Saturday 17th February 2001 in Longford. After a ninety-minute titanic struggle against the strongly-fancied Tyrone side, Kevin McStay's managed Mayo team emerged victorious by two points to win the Hastings Cup for the first time where Alan Dillon put Mayo two points clear seconds from the end. Both sides met again in the All-Ireland Championship U-21 Final that April,a game which was on hold for almost five months after Mayo beat Meath in that years semi-final.The foot and mouth virus stopped the Ulster sides playing until late in the year. By the time the final came around , the Mayo team had gone off the boil, injuries and loss of form cost them dearly where they succumbed to a much stronger Tyrone side on a scoreline of Tyrone 0-13 to Mayo 0-10.http://www.inpho.ie/assignment/6-10-2001-All-Ireland-U-21-Final-/OY-i8SAzxBmjqZh60CLZYA..a Dillon played with Mayo until 2003, winning 2 U21 Connaught Medals, captaining his side to a Connaught Title in 2003. That year Dillon debuted with the Mayo Senior Football Team.
Senior
Alan Dillon has won 4 Senior Connaught Medals with Mayo in 2004, 2006, 2009 & 2011. Dillon broke into the Senior set up admirably & made his debut against Sligo in Markievicz Park in the Connaught semi-final on 8th June 2003. Mayo beat Sligo 0-14 to 0-11 that day with Dillon scoring 0-1 from the wing forward berth. He was ably assisted that day with notable performances from David Heaney at full back, Fergal Kelly at midfield (also making his debut) and Declan Sweeney occupying full forward. Mayo were beaten by Galway in the Connaught Final that year 1-14 to 0-13 & eventually fell to Fermanagh in the Qualifers.
In 2004, Mayo regained the Connacht title with ease following facile wins over New York, Galway and Roscommon. Mayo followed this success with a surprise victory over reigning All-Ireland Champions Tyrone in the All-Ireland Quarter Final on a scoreline of 0-16 (16) to 1-09 (12) where Dillon notched up 6 points from play http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7jxX1Yzdgs . However, Mayo's form rapidly deteriorated following this win, and the team struggled to see off surprise semi-finalists Fermanagh following a replay before losing the All-Ireland Final to Kerry by eight points on a scoreline of 1-20 (23) to 2-9 (15). Dillon nailed his first Croke Park goal into the Hill after 4 mins on this day.
Mayo failed to retain their Connacht title in 2005 and, following a three point All-Ireland Quarter Final defeat to Kerry the same year, Maughan again resigned as manager.
In 2006, Mickey Moran became Mayo's first manager from outside the county since Jack O'Shea managed the team in the early 1990s. Moran guided the team to another Connacht title with David Heaney lifting the Nestor Cup on 16th July 2006 on a scoreline of 0-12 to 1-08, Dillon scoring 2points. Following an unconvincing replay victory over Laois in the All-Ireland Quarter Final, Mayo produced arguably their greatest performance of the modern era to come from seven points behind with 20 minutes remaining to defeat favourites Dublin on a scoreline of 1-16 (19) to 2-12 (18) in the All-Ireland Semi-Final in front of an attendance of 82,300 at Croke Park. This was without doubt one of the most memorable games for Mayo & it was fitting that Dillon would feature so prominately on that big occasion, racking up 4 points from play & collecting a prestigous Man of the Match accolade. Kerry again awaited Mayo in the All Ireland Final and for the third time in 10 years they defeated Mayo, this time on a scoreline of 4-15 (27) to 3-5 (14). Despite the relative success of the 2006 season, rumours persisted of divisions between Moran and the Mayo County Board and Moran was not retained as manager for the 2007 season. In 2006, Alan Dillon was duly awarded for his efforts & he received his GAA All-Star alongside Conor Mortimer whilst Keith Higgins picked up the Young Player of the Year accolade. Mayo have amassed a total of 25 All-Stars since the scheme was officially initiated in 1971 with Andy Moran the last player to receive an All-Star for Mayo in 2011. Dillon was named on the GPA Team of the Year at wing forward & embarked on the GAA All-Stars Trip to Dubai in January 2007.
In 2007, John O'Mahony returned as Mayo manager following a 16 year absence during which he had won a Connacht title with Leitrim (1994) as well as two All-Ireland titles with Galway (1998 and 2001) and in his first season led the team to the National League Final, where they were defeated by Donegal. Mayo have retained their Division 1 status to date under O'Mahony, but failed to win a Connacht title or reach the last eight of the All-Ireland Football Championship during the first two years of his tenure.
In 2008, the team reached the last 12 of the All Ireland Championship, but were narrowly beaten by Tyrone, who went on to become All Ireland Champions.
An injury time point by Peader Gardiner saw Mayo win their first Connacht Title since O'Mahony's return, and their 42nd title overall, when they beat Galway in the 2009 Connacht Final on a scoreline of 2-12 (18) to 1-14 (17). Trevor Mortimer was captain on that day.
2010 was a disappointing year for Mayo, despite reaching the National League Final, they were beaten by Cork, and defeat followed in the Connacht Championship First Round by Sligo. This was followed up by a humiliating All-Ireland Qualifier Round 1 loss to Longford and times in Mayo football were grim. John O'Mahony immediately stepped down as Mayo manager to be replaced by James Horan. Horan was fresh of the back of managing his club to their first ever County Senior Title with Ballintubber.
After suffering a scare in London in the First Round of the 2011 Connacht Championship, Mayo won that year’s Championship by beating Roscommon in a rain sodden Dr. Hyde Park on July 17th 2011. Alan Dillon lifted the Nestor Cup as Mayo Senior Captain. Mayo were underdogs going into the All-Ireland Quarter Final against reigning Champions Cork, but went on to win by four points. This was the shock of the Championship 2011. Disappointingly their campaign ended at the Semi Final stage with a nine point defeat to those boys again from Kerry. Mayo, although disappointed will be happy with their first year under James Horan.
2011 saw Alan Dillon capture his 4th Connaught Senior Medal as captain, 2nd County Club Medal with Ballintubber GAA & 1st Division 1A League Title also. He was nominated for a second GAA All-Star & is currently nominated for his 6th Mayo News Club All-Star which takes place on Dec 10th 2011.