The Late Christy Moran Mr Christy Moran, Iona Drive, Rathnapish, Carlow who died on Saturday October 26, had been in failing health for some time and had spent the last four months of his life at Carlow District Hospital, writes Charlie Keegan. Born in Tuckmill, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow in 1919, Christy Moran had the distinction of winning Laois and Wicklow county senior football championship medals but the highlight of his football career was probably the winning of a Leinster junior football medal with his native Wicklow when the Garden County beat Meath in the Leinster final of 1949 in Croke Park. Wicklow lost the All-Ireland semi-final to Kerry in Aughrim. In 1944 Christy, who played in the half back line, won a Laois SFC medal with Graiguecullen when the wearers of the red and green defeated Annanough in the final 3-7 to 0-7 at Milltown. Then in 1947, he won a Wicklow senior football championship medal with Donard. In terms of the that win with Graiguecullen, Christy was among some of the great names of Gaelic football of the day - including 'Boy Wonder' Tommy Murphy, Jim Slater, Tom Haughney, Michael Haughney, Rexie McDonald, Des Connolly and John McDarby. That Graigue victory of 1944 was the first of a four-in-a-row of Laois SFC successes for the Carlow border club. Besides winning championships in Laois and Wicklow, Christy Moran also lined out for the Castledermot footballers in Kildare. A keen athlete, Christy took part in the cross country and high jump disciplines. Having served his time in Turtles Hardware business in Baltinglass, Christy subsequently worked in Cope's of Castledermot form 1936 to 1944 before taking up employment with Dempsey's of Tullow Street, Carlow, working there from 1944 to '68. He was regarded as a very knowledgeable and obliging man throughout his years in the hardware retail trade and was very much a valued employee in Turle's Cope's and Dempsey's. Christy ran he provender business from beside his home from 1968 to 1990, bringing to bear his business expertise to private enterprise in establishing a successful enterprise. A member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA) for some 45 years, Christy was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis (Capuchin). He was pre-deceased by his wife, Vera (nee Connolly) in the summer of 1993. The remains were removed on Sunday October 27 to The Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow The green and red flag of Graiguecullen GFC was placed on the coffin. The Funeral Mass took place on the Bank Holiday Monday with Fr. Ger Ahern Adm Carlow, Fr. Liam Lawton, Musical Director, St. Patrick's College, Carlow, Fr. Paul McNamee, PP and Fr. Kevin O'Neill, President, St. Patrick's College the officiating clergy. Burial took place immediately afterwards in St. Mary's cemetery, Carlow. Deceased in survived by his son Gerard, daughters Patricia and Loretta, brother Ned, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins and a wide circle of neighbours and friends. Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist December 2002 Tweet

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