The Late Jack Butler Mr John (Jack) Butler, 18 Chapel Street, Graiguecullen, whose body was recovered from the river Barrow close to the Carlow Boat Club, was a stalwart member of the Fenagh GFC in Co. Carlow, writes Charlie Keegan. It is thought Mr Butler died when he accidentally fell into the river. Aged 64, Jack Butler played left half forward for his beloved Fenagh, winning a Carlow JFC in 1958 and 1973 wearing the No.12 jersey. That '73 final was to be his final game. Jack was one of three brothers on that team and is survived by both - Jim and Tom. A single man, Jack was a dedicated club man as a player, selector and always as a supporter. He is also one of the men responsible for he excellent under-age structure within the club today. His proudest moment with the club was the opening of the J.J. Hogan grounds in Fenagh. A Fenagh native, Jack played under-age and minor football and Muinebheag before donning the Fenagh colours. He also served as a county U21 football selector. He lived and worked in England for 14 years on the railways in London. Having return home Jack took up employment with Irish Sugar in Carlow during the mid-1970's, being foreman in the pulp plant and more latterly a fork-lift driver. It was Jack's intention to retire in the very near future but sadly he did not live to enjoy his retirement. He had been missing overnight on Wednesday until his body was discovered on Thursday morning. He is the second Fenagh player from the same era to die this month. Jack Hickey, who played left half back on that Fenagh team of 1958, died on Thursday, September 5. Besides his life long dedication to Fenagh GFC, Jack enjoyed fishing all his life, both deep sea and river. A symbol of this interest was brought to he altar during Saturday's Funeral Mass when a deep sea fishing rod was brought up by John Moore and Ber Keating Tom Haughney brought up a reel to represent Jack's interest in river fishing. The keys of his forklift at Irish Sugar were brought up by Jimmy (Barry) Murphy, work colleague and friend. Jack Butler was also a great coursing man, following in the footsteps of his late father, also Jack. In the lead up to the annual Co. Carlow Coursing Club meeting at Kylemaglush, Fenagh in November Jack would always endeavour to have a dozen 'good ones'. The remains were removed from Kearney's Funeral Home, Fenagh to St. Patrick's Church, Newtown, where they are received by Fr. Pierce Murphy PP Bagenalstown, who also celebrated the Requiem Mass, after which Jack was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery. Jack's No.12 jersey was placed on the coffin while former Fenagh GFC playing colleagues and current club members formed guards of honour on both occasions as well as members of Carlow Coursing Club. Jack is survived by his brother Jim (Bennekerry, Carlow), and Tom (Castletown, Carlow), his sister Mrs Kathleen Vourley (Bedford England) his sisters-in-law Brigid and Lil, by his nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, friends as well as the Fenagh and Co. Carlow GAA fraternity. Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist September 2002 Tweet

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