Squires Gannon (2022) by Mark Richards FRSS is a bronze public sculpture in Kildare Town commemorating William “Bill” ‘Squires’ Gannon, captain of the Kildare team that won the 1928 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. Gannon holds a unique place in sporting history as the first ever captain to lift the Sam Maguire Cup, making him one of County Kildare’s most celebrated sporting figures. Commissioned by Kildare County Council, the sculpture was created by renowned sculptor Mark Richards, whose other notable works include public monuments to Ernest Shackleton and Roger Casement. Richards sought to create more than a conventional portrait statue, designing a sculptural composition that honours not only Gannon himself but also the wider team. Details such as the players’ signatures on the football and references to the Sam Maguire Cup celebrate the collective achievement of the 1928 side. Located in the heart of Kildare Town, the artwork recognises Gannon’s sporting legacy and his enduring connection to the local community. Through its prominent civic setting, the sculpture serves as a tribute to excellence, leadership and the proud tradition of Gaelic games in County Kildare.
Squires Gannon by Mark Richards, Kildare Town, 2022
