LAURIE NEWELL & FR PADDY WHELAN

Two stalwart members of the Corofin football team of the 1950s and early 1960s passed to their eternal reward in 2012, Laurie Newell and Fr Paddy Whelan. In August, the unexpected death, in his 80th year, of Laurence (Laurie) Newell from Sylane was deeply regretted by the entire community and by all much further afield who knew him in his long, well-lived, happy life. The very large attendance at Laurie's funeral spoke volumes for the affection and esteem in which he was held. A quiet man, who valued family life and the friendship of his neighbours and all he came into contact with, he was fondly remembered in particular for his role in making the Corofin Junior football team a major force in the 1950s, leading to their promotion to the senior grade and all the glory that followed in later times.
He is survived by his wife Nina and son Willie, sister-in-law Mary, nephew Eamon, niece Colette, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends including his former work colleagues at Tuam Sugar Factory and Rynn Eng., Galway. His loss was mourned, too, by all the friends who enjoyed a weekly game of cards with Laurie and by all in Sylane Hurling Club; he loved hurling and was a committed Sylane supporter. Laurie Newell's most memorable year on the football fields was 1959 when, at the age of 27, in his prime, he gave one outstanding display after another in the backline as Corofin won the North Board and County Junior Championships.

A team-mate into the 1960s, Paddy Keating, paid Laurie this tribute: "He was a rock-solid, ever reliable corner-back, a fine footballer who played the game hard but fair. Laurie was the kind of man you would always like to have by your side. Off the field, he was a true gentleman." Paddy also paid glowing tribute to Fr Paddy Whelan, centre half-forward on the great Corofin Junior team of 1959 - scorer of a crucial goal in the North Board final against Tuam Stars and even more influential in the County final against Clonbur, on a day when the team's dynamic captain Tom Lawless gave a Man of the Match display

Another Sylane man, Fr Whelan had been ordained a priest three years earlier, in 1956. "It spoke volumes for his love of Gaelic football and his dedication to the Corofin club that he drove up from Cork so often, to play for the club or sometimes to support county teams," said Paddy Keating. Having joined the S.M.A. order, Fr Whelan was then based in Wilton, Cork where he was studying for a Science degree at UCC, with whom he played Sigerson Cup football. On graduating, he went overseas, to the missionary fields of the Diocese of Ondo in Western Nigeria where he would be based for over forty years. He was a distinguished figure among his S.M.A. peers, much loved and respected, considered to be inspirational, and many tributes were paid to him, at S.M.A. House, Claregalway; at his funeral Mass at Belclare Church, and at a special Mass in his honour at St Joseph's S.M.A. Parish Church, Wilton, Cork where the homily was delivered by Fr Fachtna O'Driscoll, S.M.A. Provincial Leader.

On the previous day at the Sacred Heart Church, Belclare the Leader of the S.M.A. Claregalway community, Fr Seamus Nohilly gave an evocative homily which all who heard it felt had captured the personality, integrity and the honourable, highly principled nature of a truly remarkable man. The son of Patrick and Annie Whelan, he was born on March 23rd, 1932. He is survived by two sisters, Sr Martina (Mercy Convent, Galway) and Sr Dolores (Presentation Convent, Thurles); he was predeceased by his brothers Tommie and John.

From Ireland to Africa and back, many times, Fr Paddy Whelan had carried in his heart and head the words of his favourite poem. The Lake Isle of Inisfree, by W. B. Yeats. It was fitting that at his funeral it was recited by one of his grand-nieces, Aisling, while a second grand-niece, Eve, played the violin. He also had a lifelong interest in ornithology and had fed the birds around the S.M.A. House, Claregalway up to the week when he was admitted to hospital for the last time.

On the morning of his death, just before 7.00 a.m., his S.M.A. confreres who had been keeping vigil with him heard the birds beginning tosing outside his room window.


Courtesy of The Tuam Herald. Tweet

Most Read Stories