There were no other families other than the Costello family in the townland of Gortroe according to the 1911 Census. Their nearest neighbours from the winning team were the Heneghans and the Keanes. In later years Michael Costello, a brother of Jack and Martin married Delia Heneghan, a sister of Paddy and Peter! Jack and Martin were the two eldest in the Costello family. Jack was born in 1888 and Martin was born in 1891 so the time of the County Final win in 1911 they were 23 and 20 respectively. They both were recorded on the 1901 Census in Gortroe. Martin features on the 1911 Census for Gortroe but Jack does not. Jack may have been working in another area of Co. Galway at the time of the Census in April 1911and featured in that area. There are a few other possibilities for Jack Costello but it is now known which of them is his record. According to Gerard Costello nephew of Jack Costello, he emigrated to New York shortly after 1911. He joined the American Navy. He lost his life at sea in the First World War when his ship was bombed. Martin Costello lived in Gortroe all his life. He was a farmer and worked the land there. Martin played in the forwards for the Derrydonnell Hurling Club. He was a member of the Galway Hurling panel in 1912 when Galway reached the All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny, which they lost. He was also on the panel in 1913. Martin died on 17/05/1971 at the age of 82. He is buried in Athenry New Cemetery. According to Gerard Costello, nephew of Jack and Martin Costello and Paddy and Peter Heneghan, the team wore a green jersey with a yellow sash. Gerry also thinks that they went to the final by lorry. They are meant to have trained in a field near Heneghan’s house. The Heneghan Brothers: Paddy & Peter Heneghan of Derrydonellmore. Patrick and Peter Heneghan (spelt Henehan in the newspapers and the 1911 (Census), lived in Derrydonnellmore according to the 1911 Census. Their father John Henehan was aged 54 in 1911. Their mother Brigid Henehan nee Eagle was aged 46 years in 1911. They were married 26 years. In the 1901 record of the Census for that family Paddy and Peter’s grandparents John and Julia Heneghan Martin Joyce and his brother Mike lived in Carnaun in 1911. Their father was John Joyce and was aged 57 years in 1911. He was a farmer and his wife Mary was aged 58. They were married on the 29/09/1883. 23
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