Sad to report the death of Billy Dixon, an outstanding hurler for his club Killyon and Meath.

Billy, who was 64 years of age, shot to prominence on the first ever Killyon juvenile team back in 1966. That great Killyon club stalwart Kit Mitchell was the driving force behind this maiden hurling voyage, a real fore runner and one that was to form the backbone of the magnificent Killyon senior fifteen of the late seventies and eighties.

So began a glorious underage era for the boys from close to the Westmeath border. Every underage hurling championship possible was annexed with one Billy Dixon, a towering full back, in command of the Killyon square.

Nevertheless success at adult level was rather slow in coming. But when it did arrive, there was no stopping the Killyon surge.

Kit Mitchell and his men had claimed Meath junior honours back in 1968 but it was all of 8 years later that the same trophy again arrived in the parish. Killyon followed this up with the intermediate crown the following year, 1977 and reached the 78 senior semi.

One Billy Dixon was one of the jewels in the crown. A no nonsense and powerful number three. Hard hitting but clean, with the ability to deliver a huge clearance from his own square right down to the opposing 14 yard line.

A remarkable trio of Jubilee Cups went south west to Killyon in 1979, 80 and 81. Billy pushed his collection up to 5 with further senior glory in 84 and 91.

And Billy Dixon was a permanent fixture on the edge of the Meath square for that late 70's, early 80's period. He was also a very useful footballer.

And a gifted tradesman. Dixon's hurley's were known far and wide for their quality and durability. Indeed Billy was producing his beloved camains right up to the coming of his recent illness.

A cousin and another star from this era, Trim's Frank McCann, regularly lined out alongside the Killyon man in the Meath jersey. Handing down the family tradition, Billy's sons were likewise gifted hurlers. Willie played senior with Killyon while Joe was an outstanding underage prospect.

Our sincerest sympathies to his wife Dolores, sons Willie and Joe, daughters Denise and Elaine, grand children Mia and Hugo, daughter-in-law Siobhan, Joes partner Amy, brother Dick, sister Mag (Mullen), brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and best friend Danjoe, neighbours, friends and work colleagues.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dhilis.

Funeral details:

Reposing at his residence (A83F510) this Wednesday (16th of October) from 2pm to 8pm. Funeral Mass on Thursday (17th of October) at 12pm in Church of our Lady & Saint Dominic, Killyon, Co. Meath. Burial afterwards in local cemetery. House strictly private Thursday morning please. Family flowers only please, donations, if desired, to St. James' Hospital, Dublin, Donation Box at house & Church.

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