Career
From Islandeady.ie :Peter Solan . Skill and CommitmentHe scored 2-1 in the final against St. Patrick's College, Armagh. That Jarlath's team included eleven Mayo players as well as S. Gordon, Sean Purcell and C. Canavan from Galway, and T. McHale from Roscommon.
He went on to feature prominently with the Mayo senior football team. In this context, the Connaught semi-final in June 1949 is worthy of note. The Connaught Telegraph report on the game observed that 'the safe hands of Peter Solan were never used to better advantage and no blame could be attached to Kelly in the Sligo goal for any of Solan's goals.
One in particular ripped into the net with the speed of a hurling ball. Solan's total for the match - five goals and two points - will take some beating.'The Mayo team that day were: Billie Durkan (Swinford), John Forde (Ardnaree), Paddy Prendergast (Ballintubber), Sean Flanagan (capt, Ballyhaunis), Peter Quinn (Ardnaree), Henry Dixon (Mayo Abbey), John McAndrew (Bangor-Erris), Pádraic Carney (Swinford), Eamon Mongey (0-2) (Castlebar), Mick Flanagan (1-0) (Castlebar), Billie Kenny (Claremorris), Joe Gilvarry (0-1) (Killala), Mick Mulderrig (0-2) (Ballina), Tom Langan (Ballycastle), Peter Solan (1-0) (Islandeady). Subs: Sean Wynne (Ballina) on for Durkan.
Mick Caulfield (Aughamore) on for Kenny. Sean Mulderrig (Ballina) on for Caulfield. Solan was again involved in the 1951 All-Ireland-winning campaign, helping Mayo all the way to the final.
He had high expectations of himself, but although he felt lacking in form for the Connacht final that year against Galway, he still scored 3-1, going on then to score against Kerry in the semi-final. He was named as a sub for the final but did not appear in the team photo. Mayo have played, and lost, seven All-Ireland Finals since.
Peter and Maureen had 5 children who grew up in Ireland and South Africa. Peter died in South Africa in January 1985 aged 56, after being diagnosed with cancer a few months earlier.
