Exhibition dedicated to New York footballer killed in 9/11 unveiled in GAA Museum
Pictured left to right at the unveiling of Damian Meehan's exhibition in the GAA Museum were: Seóg Campbell, first cousin of Damian Meehan, Paul McCormack, Executive Director of Ground Zero 360 and former team-mate of Damian Meehan, Jarlath Burns, Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Ed Walsh, US Ambassador to Ireland, and his wife Lynn.
By John Harrington
A new exhibition celebrating the memory of New York footballer, Damian Meehan, who was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, was unveiled in the GAA Museum today.
Meehan, a trader for Carr Futures, was in his office on the 92nd floor of the World Trade Centre Tower One when it was struck.
A son of Donegal immigrants, he was a very talented footballer who played for the Donegal club and also represented New York at inter-county level.
The exhibition includes Meehan’s New York senior football team jersey from the 2000 season, his New York U21 football championship medal, his 9/11 missing poster, a 9/11 memorial etching, and a framed memorial sculpture by the artist Nicola McLean.
McLean’s husband, Paul McCormack, a former NYPD Inspector, is a good friend and former team-mate of Meehan’s as well as being Executive Director of Ground Zero 360 which honours the sacrifice of the victims and their families of the 9/11 terror attacks.
“Damian was one of the nicest gentlemen you could ever meet in your life,” said McCormack at the exhibition unveiling.
“He always had a big smile on his face, he was a tremendous sportsman, a tremendous family-man, a wonderful friend, just a tremendous human being.
“It means a lot of have Damian honoured on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 by having his items now on permanent display in Croke Park. There's just no better place for it.”
Seóg Campbell, a first cousin of Damian Meehan, spoke at the unveiling on behalf of the Meehan family.
“It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be here on such an occasion and we’d like to thank Paul (McCormack) and everybody else who helped pull this together.
“My Uncle Mike emigrated to New York in 1961 along with Auntie Peig to make a better life. They had 10 children, eight of them boys, and Mike's big focus was always GAA and he was heavily involved in New York GAA.
“Damian was such a lovely lad with a big smile and to do this for him and for us as a family is just tremendous. Uncle Mike in particular would be smiling from ear to ear. Auntie Peig is 93 now and she's very grateful.
“We're all just so thankful that Damian is the person chosen to represent all the other Gaelic footballers and people with connections to this wonderful organisation who were lost on 9/11.”
The new GAA Museum exhibition celebrating the life of New York footballer, Damian Meehan, who was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
GAA President, Jarlath Burns, expressed his hope that the exhibition would honour not just the memory of Damian Meehan, but of all of those who lost their lives on 9/11.
"I'd like to thank our wonderful museum staff for putting this beautiful exhibition together which is our little nod to say that the GAA were part of this and want to be part of it," said Burns.
"We are commemorating one person out of over 3,000 who lost their lives in 9/11 and as long as we remember that one person we remember every person.
"Damian loved the GAA and was somebody who wanted always to give back, and the GAA is the place where we all belong. It is about giving, it's not about taking. That's what's so special about the GAA and that was what was so special about Damian. He never wanted to be famous, he would never have wanted this, all he wanted was to play GAA, represent his county, and to work for his family."
The US Ambassador to Ireland, Ed Walsh, was Guest of Honour at the exhibition unveiling and paid tribute to the role the GAA has played in making America a home from home for countless Irish migrant families.
“Today we remember not just tragedy but also celebrate a remarkable life,” said Ambassador Walsh.
“Damian Meehan embodied the very best of both America and Ireland. He was a proud son of Ireland and gifted Gaelic footballer and a cherished member of New York's Irish community.
“Through the GAA he carried with him the traditions, friendships, and values that connected him to home even while building a life across the Atlantic. There's something especially fitting about remembering him here at Croke Park. This is a place that celebrates community, identity, and belonging.
“For so many Irish immigrants the GAA became a home way from home. It gave them friendship, purpose, and enduring connections with places and people they loved. Damian lived that story.
“His life reminds us that the bond between Ireland and the United States are not just measured only in diplomacy or trade, they are measured in people, families, and the shared traditions of communities that span the Atlantic.”