Meath Obituaries 1999

John Donegan (Castletown)
John Donegan, who died in late 1998, held a record which may never be equalled. He won two All-Ireland Junior football medals, the first at left full back in 1947, and the second five years later in 1952 in the No3 jersey. He also won a National Football League medal as a substitute in 1946 and had a long career in the Castletown jersey. When his playing days were over he devoted his whole life to his club as an official, acting as Secretary for many years. His sons and grandsons have continued to serve Castletown. Incidentally, John was very proud that Meath Co Board chose to put his two All Ireland Medals on display at the RDS Exhibition during Centenary year.

John Ennis (Batterstown)
John Ennis, who died in early 1999, was a native of Piercetown, Dunboyne. He played hurling and football for Batterstown over many years, having first come on the scene as a full back for Dunshaughlin in the Meath minor final of 1947. John won Junior Hurling Championship medals in 1949, 1958 and 1960 and in the latter year completed the double by winning a Junior B Football Championship medal. He also had many victories on the Athletic track, particularly in cross country events. Even before his playing days were over John had taken up refereeing in both codes and when Meath Co Board initiated the Annual Awards Scheme in the ‘70s, John Ennis was the first man to become ‘Referee of the Year’ in 1974.

Oliver (Ollie) O’Reilly (Trim)
One of the greatest Meath hurlers of all time. Ollie was also an accomplished footballer who seemed to only play in one position in both codes - full back. Holder of seven Meath Senior Hurling medals, between 1940 and 1952, he was of course, full back on the victorious Meath junior hurling team of 1948. He was also full back for Trim in the first Keegan Cup final of 1953 when O’Mahony’s proved victorious. He later served as a referee, a hurling board official and selector, and Meath minor football selector and was one of the pillars of the Trim club all down the years. Ollie died during Summer 1999 after a two year or so illness.

Mattie Heery (Rathkenny)
All of the Heery brothers have been well known footballers down the years; Seamie with Meath and Rathkenny, Joe and Johnny with O’Mahony’s, the late Tommy with Meath and Parnells, but it was with Syddan that Mattie (who died just before the All Ireland 1999) made his mark, winning senior championship medals as a full back in 1949, 1951 and 1952.

Michael McGovern (Kells)
Michael was a founder, and lifelong member, of Kells Handball club and a keen GAA supporter all his life.

Charlie Killion (Snr) (Kilmessan)
Charlie Killion, who was predeceased by his sons Willie and Charlie (Jnr) over the previous two years, was in his late 80s when he passed to his eternal reward during the summer of 1999. Charlie, who in his youth was better known as a racing cyclist than for his GAA prowess, will always be remembered for his taxi service when he ‘ferried’ Meath teams, both hurling and football, to all parts of the country over the many years. He was also an expert hurley maker, a wonderful raconteur and horse racing enthusiast.

Paddy Whelan (Stamullen)
Paddy Whelan, who for most of his life lived just across the border near Balbriggan, died in late 1998. He won a Meath Intermediate Football Medal with St Pats in 1951 and as a result was made captain of the Meath Junior Team in 1952 which went on to win the All Ireland. Paddy was very proud to appear in a ‘parade’ of All Ireland winning captains on the occasion of the Meath Senior Final in Centenary Year, 1984. Of course there was only seven at the time (3 senior, 3 junior and 1 minor). By now the list has risen to 15.

Ben Lynam (Dunshaughlin)
Ben was in his 80s when he died at the end of 1998. When Dunshaughlin won the Meath Junior Football Championship in 1950, Ben was the goalkeeper and was in the Kevin Smyth mould - forwards didn’t fancy loitering around the square. The full back on the same team was Ned Teeling and strange to relate neither ever togged out in full - both wore trousers with the legs tucked into the socks. Both also wore caps and Teeling went one better - he wore his glasses as well - but they did win the championship! In his early career in the ‘30s, Ben was quite a useful midfielder.

Peter Rattigan (Drumree)
Peter was a member of a family synonymous with the GAA in Drumree. He is credited with being one of the founder members of the present Drumree club when they broke away from Dunshaughlin in the mid ‘50s and he played at full forward when the new club was formed. He subsequently emigrated to England where he lived for some years. His brothers Billy, Tony and Joe have given sterling service to the GAA in Drumree and Meath down the years - Billy winning an All Ireland Senior Medal in 1954. Peter was aged 68 when he died suddenly in January.

Peter Tugwell (Dunshaughlin)
Peter, who died in early 1999, first came to prominence on a good Dunshaughlin minor team of 1947 which lost a county final to Julianstown. By 1950 he was a star left half back when Dunshaughlin won the Junior Championship. Played Senior during the ‘50s and when the club was regraded (after the Drumree break-away), Peter was still there at centre half back on the Junior B title winning side of 1958. Years later, when Meath presented the 1988 All Ireland medals at Warrenstown College, Peter provided some ‘light entertainment’ for the large audience - he was subsequently referred to in an anonymous way in Liam Hayes’s book “Out of our Skins”.

Pat Ward (Garlow Cross, late of Moynalty)
Pat Ward, who died in February, was a native of Dulane and in latter years ran the Tara-Na-Rí pub at Garlow Cross, having in earlier life worked as a postman in the Moynalty area. Pat played for Dulane and Carnaross and became a Meath Senior player. A serious injury sustained in the National League Final of 1940 v Galway put an end to his playing career but for the next 60 years or so he became one of Meath’s greatest supporters. It didn’t matter whether it was Croke Park, Ballinascreen or Killarney - whether it was June or December, Pat was always there. He had strong opinions on how the game should develop and was not too keen on the amount of handpassing which had crept in in recent years. His frequent letters to the press on this subject were always interesting. Pat’s pub at Garlow Cross was the ‘local’ for all the Walterstown successes of recent times and was also, of course, the half way house for the Moynalty/Carnaross contingent on their way home from Croke Park on all those great occasions in recent years.

Alan (Peter) Brien (Moynalvey)
Peter was only 21 when he died suddenly during the year. He was a player on Moynalvey teams at the time of his death.

Michael Regan ( Kiltale)
Michael (Mickey), who died early in 1999, was a well known Kiltale hurler for many years in the ‘40s/early ‘50s. His sons Michael and Gerard continued the tradition winning hurling titles with Kiltale and football titles with Moynalvey 30 years later.

Jim Yourell (Dunboyne)
The name Yourell has long been associated with the GAA in Dunboyne. Jim, who died in September, had been a regular player in the ‘40s/’50s but is best remembered as Club Secretary and Co Board delegate for many years.

Kevin Hanlon (Moylagh)
Kevin was only in his early 50s when he passed away during the summer after a long illness. He will always be remembered for his brilliant, last minute goal which won the Intermediate title for Moylagh in 1975. Seven points in arrears to Dunshaughlin, with less than ten minutes remaining, Moylagh staged a remarkable recovery and it was Kevin Hanlon who clinched the victory with almost the last kick of the ball. A few years earlier in 1971 Kevin had helped his club to reach another intermediate final only to lose to Ballivor. Kevin was Chairman of the club in 1983 when the official opening of the new pitch and magnificent Social Centre took place.

Robbie Melia (Moynalvey)
Robbie was only 39 and had only recently retired from playing football and hurling when he died very suddenly in June ‘99. Robbie had a successful playing career in both codes, winning three hurling championships with Kiltale (Intermediate ‘78 and Senior 1982 and 1983) and three football championships with Moynalvey (Div. 3 1979, Junior 1981 and Intermediate 1983). He represented Meath at minor level in both football and hurling in 1978. Brothers Richie and Brendan have shared in all those club victories down the years, with Richie winning an All Ireland Junior Hurling medal in 1970 and Brendan, winning a Centenary Cup medal in 1984 as sub goalie to Jimmy Fay. Robbie was equally gifted on the soccer field gaining many victories with Moynalvey in the ‘80s.

Michael Coleman (Athboy)
Michael Coleman (73), who died during the year, was prominent in many sporting areas including Pitch and Putt and Snooker and indeed in cultural activities such as Drama and Pantomine in his native Athboy, but he was also a substitute on Meath’s All Ireland Junior Hurling winning side in 1948.

Larry McCormack (Garlow Cross and late Ardcath)
Larry McCormack (84), who died in May (and whose wife also died a couple of weeks later), was a well known footballer in his youth and had reached the veteran stage when he won a Junior Football Championship with Ardcath in 1948. When he moved to the Walterstown area he continued to be a great GAA supporter and every spare hour was spent attending club matches at all local venues.

Michael Keelan (Meath Hill)
Michael Keelan played for Meath Hill and Shale Rovers at Junior level and was a member of the victorious North Meath side (an amalgamation of Junior teams) which won the Meath Senior Championship in 1950.

Declan McDermott (Clonard)
Declan was only 20 and a playing member of the Clonard team when he died during the year. He had played a big part in the Minor B victory of Clonard/Ballinabrackey in 1997 and was on the Clonard side which lost the Junior B final to Trim in 1998.

Paddy Whyte (Stamullen)
A member of a family synonymous with the GAA club St Pats all down the years, Paddy won an Intermediate Championship medal in 1951 and came out of retirement for the 2nd replay of the junior final v Drumree in 1959. Continued as an active club member throughout his life and was also actively involved with the Bellewstown Racing Festival.

Jim Carroll (Dublin and Athlumney Navan)
Jim Carroll who died in October was the O’Mahony’s goalkeeper for three of their Senior Championships wins in 1958, ‘59 and ‘60. He moved to Dublin early on in life. Brother of Jackie who was Secretary of the O’Mahony’s club for many years.

Paddy Mooney (Stamullen)
Paddy was still a St Pats player when he died tragically in an Air Corps Helicopter crash in Tramore in July. He had come on as a substitute in the 1998 Intermediate Final and had played on the junior team in a championship match v Oldcastle only a week before the tragedy.

Francis (Francie) Rennicks (Bohermeen)
Francie Rennicks who died in November, played for Martry in the ‘40s and ‘50s and when his playing days ended he took up duty as a referee. For many years he travelled all over Meath on a bicycle serving the GAA and very often did two matches, one after the other. Francie was also, of course, father of Ken and Dermie both of whom played for Meath with Ken always considered as one of the county’s greatest, winning an All Star Award in 1975.

Mick McKenna (Stamullen)
Mick, who died suddenly in October, was a former club secretary, treasurer and Co Board delegate of the St. Pat’s club. He also trained the team on occasions; no doubt his army knowledge being a big asset. At the time of his death he was still an active club member.

Sean Ludlow (Duleek)
Sean Ludlow, who died in November, was a member of the Meath Junior football panel which won the All Ireland in 1947. Prior to that he had won a Meath senior championship with Duleek in 1943 and represented Meath at senior level, winning a Cairns Cup medal (Drogheda Tournament) in 1944 and playing in the Leinster senior championship in 1945.

Other deaths involving GAA families in Meath during the year included -

Mrs Brigid McDermott, Navan - wife of Co Board Hon. President Peter whose GAA CV is of course well known to all.

John Horgan, Nobber - father of Kepak executive John. Another son Paddy was a Meath Minor in his day.

Mrs Eithne McDermott, Kilmoon - mother of Royal County midfield star John, who died suddenly in the week preceeding the Leinster final between Meath and Dublin.

Mrs Marie Carry, (75) Kells - whose five sons have all been prominently associated with Drumbaragh GFC.

Sean Ennis, (67) Batterstown - former footballer and hurler for Batterstown.

Denis Cahill, (50) formerly Navan - who died in Canada. He had played hurling for Navan De La Salle as a minor.

Jack Tinnelly, Meath Hill - a dedicated and hard working member of the Meath Hill club.

John McKeogh, (69) Ballivor - an active member of Ballivor GFC.

Tosh Reilly (80) Clegarrow Enfield - a keen Baconstown and Meath supporter.

Harry Finnegan, (68) Navan - popular local milk roundsman who will always be remembered as a loyal O’Mahony’s supporter and whose sons have worn the Blue and White Hoops.

Mrs Mary Brigid Meade, (93) Lobinstown - Mrs Meade was sister of the late Tom Keegan whose name is commemorated by the Keegan Cup. This lady who lived to such an advanced age has grandsons playing prominently for Simonstown and Rathkenny.

Jimmy McGivern, (73) Carlanstown - an avid follower of the Meath team

Fr Anthony O’Reilly - A Meath priest who died in New Zealand and always had the local Meath papers mailed to him to keep him up to date on Meath’s progress on GAA fields

Mrs May Curtis, (78) Rathkenny - Member of the well known GAA family. All her sons have given sterling service to Rathkenny down the years with the youngest Gabriel very prominent with St. Michaels as a player and Chairman. Grandson Donal is, of course, a member of the 1999 Meath victorious team.

Mrs Evelyn Priest, (80) Fraine Athboy - All her sons have been very prominent hurlers with Kildalkey with Pat winning an All-Ireland Junior medal in 1970 and being selected as Meath’s Hurler of the Year in 1975.

Tom Burke, (69) Bohermeen - An ex committee member of Bohermeen GFC. Great follower of Meath and championship football. Well known for his saying, “There’s only one time to watch football - when the suns on their backs’.

Pat Garry, (92) Ballivor - a former hurler (Kildalkey) and footballer (Ballivor) who was a dedicated Meath supporter to the end.

Larry Farrelly, Kentstown - A member of the Seneschalstown team of the ‘40s.

Bro John Connaughton, formerly Kells - was superior of Kells CBS when he won a Meath Junior Hurling Championship with Erins Own in 1952.

John Manning, Clarkstown Summerhill - This man was a GAA follower all his life and died in 1999 aged 101.

Tom Gallagher, (61) Duleek - a keen Meath supporter down the years.

Rose Barry, (66) Trim - Rose spent her working life at St. Josephs Hospital and was very much to the fore in the welcoming party when ‘Sam Maguire’ visited in ‘87, ‘88 and ‘96.

Pat Corcoran (77) Kilskyre - Keen follower of Meath and Ballinlough teams.

Roger Sherry, (77) Curraha - Curraha footballer in his youth. Also played for Skryne for a season or two in the ‘40s.

Mrs Mary Brennan, Navan - Mother of well known Meath and O’Mahonys supporters Johnny and Richie and grandmother of O’Mahonys Manager Davy Nelson.

Jim Davis, Archerstown Delvin - was father of current Meath Hurling Coach John of Lagore Dunshaughlin. The late Jim had been associated with the Brownstown Hurling Club in Westmeath all his life.

Andrew Muldoon, (31) Athboy who died tragically in 1999 was a son of former Ballinlough footballer Tom who won an All Ireland Junior medal in 1962.

Leo Gillic, Oakley Park, Kells. Was Hon President of Carnaross GFC at the time of his death. All of his sons played with Dulane and Carnaross down the years and, of course, grandson PJ was an All-Ireland winner in 1987 and ‘88.

Mrs Mary Cussen, Moynalty. Was mother of well known Moynalty Gael Pat - a former Club Chairman and County Board Delegate.

Larry Mitchell, Dunboyne - formerly Killyon who died during 1998.

Mrs Brigid McCann, Trim. Was mother of former well known Meath and Trim Hurler, Frank.

Pat McGearty, Rathnally Trim. Was a son of former All Ireland winning goalkeeper Patsy

Brian Smith, (84) St Patrick’s Tce Navan. Acted as a gate collector on the Pairc Tailteann turnstiles for many years.

Kitty Black Kells was a member of Drumbaragh Ladies club and Drumbaragh GFC.

Michael Locke, Beauparc. Was keenly interested in gaelic games and a faithful follower of the Meath team and his parish team.

Frank Lallaway, Navan. Played with the De la Salla club in Navan in his youth before emigrating to England.

John (Sonny) Kavanagh, Clonalvey. Was a keen supporter of the GAA and particularly the Meath team.
James (Joe) Greene, Nobber. Was a keen GAA supporter.

Peter Thornton, Clonee. Was an avid supporter of gaelic football and hurling

Jim Brunnock, Kells. A teacher in Kells CBS first and then Kells Community School was a keen GAA supporter.