DONEGAL GAA legend Anthony Molloy is to be granted the Freedom of Donegal.
A leading Ulster GAA figure, the 54 year-old captained the first Donegal team to win the All Ireland senior title.
Next Tuesday he will receive the highest honour his county can bestow at a civic reception at the Lifford headquarters of Donegal County Council.
Hugely popular Molloy will be remembered for his victory speech from Croke Park’s Hogan Stand after Donegal defeated Dublin in the 1992 final.
To the delight of Donegal fans he roared “Sam’s for the Hills” before hoisting the Sam Maguire Cup aloft. In a 12-year senior inter-county career, he made 123 appearances for Donegal.
While a number of famous Donegal sports stars have been honoured with the freedom of the county in the past, Mr Molloy is the first GAA figure to be singled out for the tribute.
Previous recipients of the honour have included Republic of Ireland goalkeepers, Packie Bonner and Shay Given, former Manchester United star, Paddy Crerand, singer, Daniel O’Donnell and composer, Phil Coulter.
Donegal mayor Ciaran Brogan, who proposed Mr Molloy for the honour, said: “Football is a big part of what we are in Donegal and Anthony Molloy has always been a huge figure.
“As someone who was there in the Canal End (Croke Park) in 1992, I’m very proud to be the one who will bestow this, the highest honour the county can give, on Anthony.”
