Frank Stockwell: One of the "Terrible Twins" of Galway football.
GAA football star Frank Stockwell and his fellow Galway team-mate, Sean Purcell, became known as “The Terrible Twins” for their prowess in the forward line. They were both born in Tuam, in December, 1928, within ten days of each other, and they remained lifelong close friends. Such was their understanding on the pitch that GAA writer John D Hickey colourfully described Frank Stockwell as “a diviner of his neighbour’s intentions”.
Together, they inspired Galway’s 2-13 to 3-7 victory over Cork in the 1956 All-Ireland final, and they combined for many other major triumphs. At club level they were the leaders of the Tuam Stars team which went unbeaten in the Galway Senior Football Championship from 1954 to 1960.
Stockwell is also fondly remembered for the match-winning goal, from a well-timed cross from Purcell, in the 1957 National League final against Kerry at Croke Park.
For all their successes on the football fields, and their enduring fame, it remained a fascinating aspect of the lives of Sean Purcell and Frank Stockwell that in their childhood in the mid-Thirties they were first taught how to play football by a nun, Sister Fursey Morris, at Presentation Convent NS, Tuam, and then by the Christian Brothers.
“The Terrible Twins” first played together on the Galway senior football team in the 1948 Connacht Championship. Stockwell retired in 1960 and turned to working as a mentor and played a key advisory role in Galway’s three All-Ireland victories in a row in 1964-65-66 and in the 1981 National League successs. Purcell continued playing until 1962.
Frank Stockwell has a unique place in the GAA’s Hall of Fame, his two goals and five points (all from play) in Galway’s 1956 All- Ireland win was the highest score by an individual in a 60-minute All-Ireland football final.
His working life was spent running the family painting and decorating business.
Frank Stockwell was born on December 7, 1928, and died aged 80, on March 9, 2009. He was predeceased by his wife Pauline in November 2000 and was survived by daughters Fidelis and Marilyn and his son, Francis. Sean Purcell died in August 2005.