Meath Obituaries 2007

Paddy Murphy (Westmeath/Navan)
Paddy was a native of Westmeath and a well known GAA personality in the county. Legend has it that in the Westmeath junior final of 1967, Paddy climbed onto the crossbar in protest at a late free given to Ballinacargy against his team Tubberclair. Later he came to live in Meath and managed the Warrenstown Arms in Drumree for many years. Paddy was a regular at games in Pairc Tailteann.

Peter Fitzgerald (Kilskyre/Athboy)
Peter came from a family long involved with Kilskyre hurling club. He died in November 2006. His father Tommy had sadly passed away the previous spring.

Kathleen O’Reilly (Trim)
One of twelve children, Kathleen was the last surviving member of the sporting Ward family from Laracor. She is survived by her husband of 64 years Thomas J. O’Reilly. Kathleen, like her sisters, was a talented camogie player in her youth while her brothers were also well known on the GAA fields.

Jack Andrews (Trim)
A long serving barber, Jack was one of the best known and most liked characters in the Trim area. A man of many talents, he served as a Fianna Fail Councillor and with his sister Kathleen Fay, won an All-Ireland ballroom dancing title in 1972. Amongst some of the famous faces who visited Jack’s barber shop were well known actors Cyril Cusack and John Cowley, a big Meath supporter of The Riordans fame. Jack Andrews was also a noted referee, both hurling and football. He took charge of a Leinster minor hurling decider between Dublin and Kilkenny in Croke Park, not to mention four Meath senior football championship finals between 1957 and ‘61. Jack often recalled a little discussion with Louth’s All-Ireland winning captain Dermot O’Brien, when the Ardee star reluctantly gave his name after a bad foul. He represented the county at underage level and suffered a heart attack after refereeing a game between Meath and Antrim in Mullingar during 1963.

Margaret (Peggy) Hand (Dromone)
(nee O’Reilly) Margaret’s family have provided tremendous service,both on and off the field of play to the local Moylagh club for decades. A noted camogie player for both her native Bellaney and Meath during the 1930s, she was heavily involved in a number of voluntary organisations. One of her sons, Philip, played on the Meath senior team during the 1970s.

Joe Clerkin (Tierworker/Navan)
Joe owned the popular Flower Hill Lodge in Navan for nearly 20 years. A keen GAA supporter, he played with his native Moynalty during his youth.
Jimmy Morris (Kells/USA)
Jimmy emigrated to England in 1946, later moving on to Canada before settling in New Jersey in 1951. He won a minor medal with Kells in 1940 and retained a keen interest in gaelic games for the remainder of his life.

Mollie Walsh (Kilmainham)
(nee Monaghan) Mollie’s family are synonymous with the Kilmainham club. One of her sons, Patsy, played for the Meath juniors while Joey, on moving to Kilbeg, was a vital part of the fine St. Michaels squad of the 1980s.

Patsy (Pa) Muldoon (Moynalty)
Patsy, a native of nearby Carlanstown, was heavily involved with the Moynalty Steam Threshing committee from the start and was a keen follower of gaelic games.

James Madden (Kilmainhamwood)
A farmer by occupation, James was a huge GAA supporter and was known to religiously telephone his brother Hugh in New York after every Meath match to pass on a blow by blow account of events on the field of play.

Christina (Chrissie) Quinn (Crossakiel)
Chrissie was a member of the Murray family from Kilskyre. Her children form the popular band Breege and the Startreks, a group who have performed at many a GAA dinner dance. Her younger son Eddie played with Ballinlough.

Tommie McPartland (Kells)
Although Tommie worked in Liverpool for 40 years, he returned to his native Kells two years ago. Both at home and in the UK he maintained a keen interest in the progress of the Meath team.

Patrick Callan (Drumconrath/Navan)
Patrick was a loved member of one of the most popular GAA families in north Meath. Indeed the Callan brothers are part of GAA folklore in the Drumconrath area. Patrick played with Drumconrath from 1955 until 1965 and in 1963, along with his brothers, who backboned the team, helped the men in red to a Meath junior championship.

Tom Sherlock (Navan)
Tom, a teacher by profession, was one of the grand old men of Meath GAA. His secondary education was received in Dublin college Colaiste Caoimhin, with whom he won All-Ireland colleges medals at both codes in 1938. In the same year, Tom lined out with the local Navan Gaels combination and was a member of the team which swept to Meath senior championship honours. Tom Sherlock was the last surviving member of that fine side. He taught in a number of counties and continued his involvement with gaelic games in all areas he worked and lived in. His last position before retirement was as principal of Wilkinstown National School. During this time he became the inaugural chairman of the newly formed St. Johns club, who gained Meath intermediate honours in their first year of existence in 1974. Later Tom acted as a very capable chairman of the first football leagues run in the county during the mid 1970s.

Patrick Flanagan
(Fletcherstown/Navan)
A mechanic by trade, Patrick, from a well known Wilkinstown family, was a very keen GAA supporter.

William Kearney (Castlemartin)
Willie, a farmer, was a great sports enthusiast, especially where gaelic games were concerned.

Evelyn Shanahan (Navan)
Evelyn’s son Gerry is a well known photographer at GAA games in the county. She was an aunt to the Sheridan family who are heavily involved with the Seneschalstown club.

Oliver Burns (Oldcastle)
Oliver was one of the best known characters in the north Meath town, where he lived his entire life. Heavily involved in the local Oldcastle Brass and Reed Band, he played with the Oldcastle club in the 1950s. His son Oliver was an outstanding footballer and won a Meath intermediate championship medal in 1987.

Maisie Reilly (Killallon)
Maisie was a member of a well known Killallon family. Her son Noel was an outstanding hurler with Kilskyre and a footballer with the old Killallon club.

Noel Gannon (Clonard)
Noel was part of a family who have provided great service to the GAA in the south west of the county. A regular at midfield for Clonard, Noel played a key role as Junior B championship honours were gained in 1971.

John Cusack (Athboy/Trim)
A very successful and popular businessman, John, who was only 56 years of age, was a regular supporter of Meath GAA activity and his company, Cusack Homes, was the proud sponsor of the Meath junior football championship. John’s son of the same name is a promising player with the Trim club.

Kay Dixon (Kilmurray, Trim)
(nee Loughran) Kay was the wife of Meath GAA immortal Paddy Dixon, the centre half back on the mould breaking 1949 team. She was also a member of another great GAA family. Originally from Kilmessan, Kay’s uncle was the great Joey Loughran, a player judged by many of the older generation as the greatest hurler and footballer to ever emerge from the plains of Royal Meath. Sadly Paddy Dixon also passed away later on in the year.

Tommy Harmon (Kildalkey)
Originally from Slane, Tommy came to live in the Kildalkey area in the early 1930s. A noted hurler with the local club, he served as Chairman of Kildalkey HC and always remained an avid supporter. His sons continue the tradition.

Margaret Norris (Carnaross)
Margaret lived to the grand old age of 92 and was a follower of gaelic games all of her life. A member of the famous Ward GAA family from Dulane, she played camogie for the local club and had the distinction of lining out in Croke Park. Her husband Peter Norris played for the Meath seniors in the early 1930s. Some years later their grandson PJ Gillic repeated the feat as Meath captured All-Ireland senior honours in 1987 and 1988.

Francie Owens (Kilmainhamwood)
Francie was 88 years old when he died. A loyal Meath supporter, he rarely missed a big match involving the green and gold in Croke Park. Francie was head of a family who have provided great service to the GAA in this part of north Meath.

Josie King (Navan/Kentstown)
(nee Gibney) A number of Josie’s family played with Navan O’Mahonys. Josie’s husband Franco, was a noted hurler with Dunboyne.

Michael Collins (Bohermeen)
Michael died two weeks after the death of his mother Margaret. Involved with football in the area for many years, he was a member of the Bohermeen team which swept to junior championship honours in 1965. Michael was also highly interested in cycling and clay pigeon shooting, a sport at which he represented Ireland in the veterans category.

Con Grimes (Navan)
Con, a native of Derry, was appointed station master at Navan Railway offices in 1962. Hugely popular in the town, he was involved in many local organisations. His grandsons, Sean and Richard Grimes, were involved with Simonstown while granddaughter Grainne played for Meath underage teams. Con’s daughter Alma is the wife of former Walterstown player Ray Reynolds and their sons Ray and Niall continue the GAA tradition.

John Roche (Kells)
John suffered a tragic accident earlier in his life. Confined to a wheelchair, he was a regular at the front of the old Nally Stand as Meath earned many a famous victory. His brother Nicholas played senior football with Colmcille Gaeils. John went on to take part in two Dublin City Marathons, in 1982 and 1984. Later he also represented his country at table tennis in the Paralympic Games during 1992 and 1994.

John King (Curraha)
John’s father Richard was renowned for breeding Easter Hero, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1929 and 1930. He continued his father’s love of horses. John was also a big GAA follower and died during the Meath-Dublin championship replay in June.

George Bagnall (Rathmolyon)
George was one of the best known personalities around his area of south Meath. A life long member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, he was both a founder member and first Chairman of the old Baconstown hurling club in 1962. George won championship medals with three clubs, Boardsmill, Baconstown and finally with Rathmolyon in 1975. A guard of honour was formed by local GAA clubs at his burial in Kill Cemetery.

Gretta Murray (Athboy/Dublin)
Nee Donohoe from Martinstown, Gretta lived to the grand old age of 88. Although residing in Dublin for many years she never lost interest in the Meath GAA team and followed its fortunes and that of the players right up to the summer gone.

George Lynagh (Rathmore/Navan)
George was a native of Rathmore near Athboy and came to live in Navan over 30 years past. A quiet family man, he was popular in all circles. An avid Meath and GAA supporter, George became heavily involved in the juvenile section of the Simonstown club, acting as a selector and as manager of various underage teams. His son Barry played at under 14 and 16 level for Meath back in the mid 1990s. George was also a big handball supporter and a number of his nephews play with the St. Ultans and Simonstown clubs.

Carmel Galligan
(Cork/Navan)
A native of Rathcormack, Co. Cork, Carmel was married to Clement Galligan, the popular owner of ‘Clems’ licenced premises on Watergate Street, Navan. Clem was a footballer of note in his native Cavan and his establishment is the haunt of many GAA enthusiasts. Carmel’s sons played with Simonstown at underage levels.

Matthew McKeon (Kilskyre)
Matty was a larger than life character in the Kilskyre area. He played underage football with Ballinlough and served Kilskyre HC in a number of official capacities.

Mannix Dowdall (Navan)
Horseracing and GAA followers throughout Meath were saddened to learn of the death of Mannix Dowdall, Donaghmore, Navan, at the age of 86 after a short illness. Mannix’s working life was spent on Navan Racecourse and on his retirement, the Mannix Dowdall Maiden Hurdle was named in his honour.
Born in January 1921, he lived near the Round Tower at Donaghmore and started working at Navan Racecourse at the age of 16, in 1937. Over the 68 years of his association with the racecourse at Proudstown, he witnessed many changes, including the recent significant improvements to the facilities there. He also worked at the Bellewstown and Laytown meetings. Even after retiring, Mannix Dowdall was a familiar figure at the Proudstown course and always returned to present the prize in the maiden hurdle named in his honour.
He was also a well known GAA referee in the 1960s, and in the 1970s was an officer on the Meath Referees’ Association. He played his early football with the Kilberry club, and in later years was associated with Navan O’Mahonys and had attended this year’s Meath-Fermanagh game in Pairc Tailteann. Mr Dowdall possessed an immense knowledge and always had great time for everybody. He looked after the maintenance of Donaghmore Cemetery beside his home, and was laid to rest there. His son Philip is a well known member of the Navan O’Mahonys club.

John McCarthy (Cork/Navan)
John hailed from Cork city and moved to live in Navan almost 30 years past. One of the best known characters in the town, he was popularly known as Corky. Naturally, John followed the Cork hurlers and footballers with a passion and sadly, died in Croke Park prior to the Meath-Cork All-Ireland semi-final showdown last August.

Paddy McCabe
(Cootehill/Navan)
Paddy was one of life’s gentlemen. A very religious man and a native of Cootehill in Cavan, he moved to Navan in 1941. A noted footballer in his youth, he was on the Navan O’Mahonys team that gained junior championship honours in 1949, the first title ever won by the Brews Hill club. During the 1950s he shared lodgings with the late great Dermot O’Brien, who captained Louth to All-Ireland glory in 1957. Paddy’s sons David and Paul (nowadays Sport Editor at The Weekender) both played with Simonstown, while his grandsons, the McGranes, excel at underage level with both Waltersotwn and Meath teams. Brian was a defender on the St. Patricks Classical senior school team in 2007.

Joe McDonnell (Brownstown)
Joe was one of the best known and most popular personalities in the Kentstown area. Well known for his coaching at underage soccer levels, Joe was also a huge GAA supporter. While sick he attended Meath NFL games at Pairc Tailteann and just some weeks before his death, saw his son Damien star at centre half back as the Furze went under to near neighbours Duleek in the under 16 Division 2 decider.

Sarah Burke (Connemara/Cortown)
A teacher by profession, Sarah hailed from Carna in Connemara and came to live in Bohermeen many years ago. Her sons have made huge contributions on and off the field to club’s in the parish.

Larry Kiely (Trim)
A publican and a big GAA supporter, Larry was one of the grand old characters in Trim. Recent years have seen Kielys Bar as sponsors of the various Boardsmill teams.

Jimmy Gough (Ardcath)
Jimmy was one of the best known businessmen in this part of east Meath. Some 50 years past he set up a small shop in the village and nowadays the words Goughs of Ardcath are very familiar ones. In his youth Jimmy lined out in goals for his native Garristown and later served as a selector with St. Vincents. His family became synonymous with the hillside club and son Raymond lined out with various Meath underage teams.

Joseph Quirke (Hill of Down)
Like most people from his area, Joseph was a great Killyon hurling and Meath supporter.

Agnes McCormack
(Cavan/Dunsany)
Agnes was the sister of the great Phil ‘Gunner’ Brady of Cavan fame. Coming to live in the Killeen area 30 years past, she became highly active in local affairs. Agnes was the aunt of many of the famed Brady clan from Mullahoran, including world champion handballer, Paul Brady and the present Cavan senior football team manager, Donal Keoghan. She was also the mother in law of former Meath and Skryne star Padraig Finnerty .

Ita Maguire and Carmel Woods
(Garlow Cross)
The death of Carmel Woods came just two weeks after that of her mother Ita Maguire. Both had celebrated their birthdays in July with a family dinner. Carmel was a big GAA supporter, and in 2001 her son John captained Navan O’Mahonys to a minor hurling championship at the expense of Kilmessan. While working at Bellinter House she became very friendly with Sean Boylan who, with the Meath senior football team, were regular visitors after a training session in nearby Dalgan Park.

Ciaran Maree (Donaghpatrick)
Ciaran was an accountant by profession and an extremely keen sportsman. An avid follower of his local club Wolfe Tones, he had played at under 14 and 16 levels for the Oristown parish unit and at one stage, was team captain.

Patrick Tormey (Kells)
A native of Kells, the 41 year old Packie played for his native Gaeil Colmcille and was a key member of the side which swept to Meath intermediate honours in 1986. A big, towering midfielder, he later served Moynalty with distinction. Packie was also a very useful rugby player.

Norman Donnellan
(Stackallen/Athlumney)
Norman was a native of Stackallen and became a popular partner in the well known Navan accountancy firm of Fagan, Lynch, Donnellan. He was an extremely talented all round sportsman and excelled in the tennis and golfing worlds. Norman Donnellan was a dapper and highly dangerous corner forward with Rathkenny for years and gained a Meath junior championship medal with the club in 1984. On moving to Athlumney, he threw in his lot with Walterstown, where he worked with the juvenile section and also acted as coach to the Walterstown ladies team. Norman Donnellan’s daughter, Julie, and his son David maintain this great GAA tradition with the Walterstown club.

Bridie Fay (Trim)
Bridie’s husband Luke was a stalwart Trim footballer during the 1950s and 60s.
Michael Coughlan
(Limerick/Navan)
Described as an absolute gentleman by all who knew him Michael, a native of west Limerick, moved to live in Navan 30 years ago. A highly respected teacher in O’Carolan College, Nobber, he became very involved within the underage structure of Simonstown. Michael was manager of the 2007 under 14 side, as he was when these lads were under 12 and under 13, a bunch of players who had garnered a selection of medals in those three years. Aided by his good friend Martin Barry, the duo built a very formidable force. But Michael Coughlan was always prepared to beaver away in the background, getting jerseys ready, notifying players and quietly slipping out of scene when the trophies were being handed out. A big Limerick hurling supporter, Michael, with his wife Ada, rarely missed a Meath league or championship game. His son Niall was a member of the successful Meath 2007 under 14 squad.

Catherine Clusker (Dunshaughlin)
Catherine was the mother of Tommy and Harry Clusker, two tremendous underage workers with the St. Martins club. She was the grandmother of Ciaran, Stephen and Niall who have played with the Martins and various Meath underage teams.

Ned Durnin (Ashbourne)
It was with sadness that the news of the death of Ned Durnin hit the Ashbourne and Meath area in December 2006. Ned, who played football with both Donaghmore and Meath, was in his late 70s at the time of his death and was well known throughout Meath GAA circles.
Originally from Dublin, he moved to the Ashbourne area at the age of six some time in the 1930s, where his family lived at the Nine Mile Stone just outside the village. He started his playing career with Donaghmore around 1946/7 and joined the Meath panel in 1949 shortly after their All-Ireland final victory over Cavan. His first game for the Royal County was a Fitzsimons Cup game in Navan in 1949. He travelled with the Meath team to New York in 1951 where they beat the hosts on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-10 in the National League Final.
Ned was part of the victorious All-Ireland winning side of 1954, where he lined out in the half back line against Kerry, a result that denied Kerry a three in a row as the Kingdom recorded victories in ‘53 and ‘55. His last senior game for the Royal County was against Wicklow in 1957. He did make a return to inter county football in 1960 when he played for the Meath junior side against Offaly.
At club level he starred for Donaghmore at senior, intermediate and junior grades. He won two intermediate titles with the club in 1950 and 1959, when he lined out with his brother Morgan and cousins Barney and Jim Kearns.
The respect he held within the GAA circles of Donaghmore Ashbourne and indeed Meath was evident at his funeral. The Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA sends their sympathies to his sister Maura and his extended family.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA
Des Loughran (Robinstown)
Des was a member of the well known Loughran family from Robinstown. He played for Dunderry and was a vital part of the excellent team of the 1940s which gained intermediate championship honours in 1944 and 1947.

Eamonn Kane (Robinstown)
Eamonn played for Robinstown and is the grandfather of current Dunderry player David Jennings.

Helen McGlew (Boyerstown)
A tragic loss at a young age, Helen was the wife of well known Dunderry clubman Dick McGlew.

Bridget Nally (Irishtown)
Bridget lived to the grand old age of 102 and was the aunt of well known Dunderry clubman and County Board delegate Tommy Nally.

Johnny Mulligan (Churchtown)
Johnny was a member of the prominent Mulligan family from Dunderry. He played football at all levels for the club. His father was a founding member of Dunderry GAA club.

Josie O’Brien (Tullaghanogue)
Josie was the mother of the O’Brien family who played football for Dunderry.

Kathleen Clarke (Kilmessan)
Nee McDonagh from Kilbride, Trim, Kathleen was the sister of former Dunderry star Terry McDonagh. Her husband Dominic is the present vice chairman of Kilmessan hurling club. Kathleen’s son Niall plays hurling with the club while daughters Sarah and Aine are very useful camogie players. Members of Kilmessan hurling club acted as pall bearers as Kathleen was carried to her final resting place.
All supplied by Dunderry GAA

Nancy Smyth (Collon/Navan)
Nancy originally came from Collon and was the wife of the late Felix, Castletown’s hero in the intermediate final of 1946. Her grandsons play with the Seneschalstown and Donaghmore Ashbourne clubs.

Matilda ‘Tillie’ Collins (Athboy/Trim)
A native of Athboy, Tillie, in her 90th year, was the last surviving member of a 15 strong Conlon family. In her younger days, she was a noted camogie player, Irish dancing champion and remained a fluent Irish speaker. Tillie had a great love of all sport and particularly gaelic football and hurling.

Christopher Sheridan (Fordstown)
Christopher was a member of Cortown’s first championship winning side, the victorious Division 3 final combination of 1981. He remained a keen supporter of the club.

Brendan Duffy (Cortown)
Brendan was a great supporter of the Cortown club.

Owen Connell (Nugenstown)
Owenie was a good supporter of Cortown and many of his nieces and nephews contributed hugely to the club over the years.
All of the above supplied by Cortown GAA club

Joseph ‘Joe’ Purfield (Stamullen)
Joe was a former Treasurer of St. Patricks and won a Meath intermediate championship medal with the club in 1963. He remained a great supporter of the Pats, especially on sports days when his donation of a lamb (Guess the Weight) was a huge help. Joe, who was also involved with threshing events, was the brother of Johnnie Purfield, a former club chairman and county board delegate. Joe’s nephew Robert Purfield is one of the best up and coming referees in Meath.

Gerry Marry (Balrath/Duleek)
Gerry, who was well known in the political world, was a larger than life character and very popular around the county. He was a great supporter of St. Patricks and was nominated by the club as their Sean Gael in recent years. A big follower of all games and events in the locality, Gerry was never afraid to voice his opinion on matters relating to St. Patricks. He was a great admirer and friend of Pats’ stalwart Pat ‘The Red’ Collier. Gerry Marry was an Honourary President of St. Patricks. The club formed a guard of honour as his remains were removed to Ballymacgarvey Cemetery for burial.
Both supplied by St. Patricks GAA

Stiofain O Mealoid (Rathcairn)
The townland of Rathcairn and the general Athboy area were stunned in late October by the tragic death of 18 year old Stiofain O Mealoid. Popularly known as Tuck, he was a substitute on the Clann na nGael panel who swept to Meath junior championship honours in the autumn gone. Later Stiofain played a lead role in the number 2 jersey as Gaeil Colmcille were outscored in the Reserve League Division 5 decider. Stiofain came from one of the best known and most popular families in the community and less than two days before his death, starred for the club’s under 21 footballers as they beat Drumree. He was a Leaving Certificate student in Colaiste Pobail in Rathcairn and the day before that Drumree game, Stiofain, described by County Board Vice Chairman and neighbour Cathal Seoighe as a ‘class act’, had passed his driving test.

Tom Casey (Moynalty)
Tom was a former chairman of Moynalty GFC and also served on the club’s committee for a number of years. He played football at all levels for the club and lined out for underage hurling teams. Tom was a great Moynalty and Meath supporter.

Mary Reilly (Shancarnan, Moynalty)
Mary was a member of the well known Andrews family from Athboy. She was a great supporter of both club and county. Her son Charles played for Moynalty and represented Meath at minor and junior level. He remains actively involved with the north Meath club in a coaching and committee member capacity.

Mick Mooney (Syddan)
Mick played on the winning Syddan intermediate team of 1941. His brother Tommy was chairman of Syddan when the club won the Meath senior football championship of 1956. Mick’s nephews, Noel and Declan Mooney, also starred with the club.

Peg Brady (Killyon)
Peg was the wife of current Killyon President Phelim Brady. Phelim was a former player with the club, as was their son Joe Brady.Jim Joe Maguire (Killyon)
Jim Joe played juvenile hurling with the Killyon club during the 1950s.

Jimmy ‘Keiser’ Quinn (Killyon)
Jimmy was also another talented underage hurler with Killyon

Anthony Halpin (Killyon)
Anthony was a former juvenile player while his father Larry gained a Meath senior hurling championship medal with Killyon in 1918.

Celia McCarthy (Killyon)
Celia was a big supporter of Killyon HC.
All of the above supplied by Killyon HC

Mary ‘Moll’ Cooney (Castlejordan)
Mary was the head of a well known Ballinabrackey family. Her son Christy was manager of the ‘Bracks’ in 2007 and has looked after many of the club’s underage teams over the years.

Patricia Brazil (Ballinabrackey)
A member of the well known McCormick family, Patricia was the mother of Columb Brazil, who represented Meath at all levels from underage right up to senior and who won an All-Ireland Colleges medal with the Carmelite College of Moate back in the late 1970s. Columb was centre half back on the Meath team beaten by Down in the All-Ireland minor final of 1977.

Kevin Murray (Boardsmill/Trim)
Members and supporters of Trim GAA club were shocked and saddened by the passing of Kevin Murray, late of Griffin Park. Kevin had been a stalwart member of the club since arriving into the town. Although a playing member of the Boardsmill club, Kevin gained a minor hurling medal with Trim in the late 1940s. He won a senior hurling medal and an O’Growney Cup medal in 1958 and continued playing into the early 1960s. He emigrated to the USA for a number of years but returned and settled down with his wife Mary in Griffin Park. The father of four sons, he became heavily involved with the club as the lads entered their teens. He had a great love of hurling and passed this on to his sons who proved to be outstanding hurlers. They were equally good at football as well.
At a time when fortunes of Trim hurling were at a low ebb, Kevin, in conjunction with George Caffrey, Ted Murtagh, Harry O’Connor, Martin Dunne, Johnny McEvoy and Johnny Gantley, put in a huge amount of work, which culminated in the winning of two minor titles in a row in 1983 and ‘84. He was a selector on the Trim senior hurling team that made the breakthrough in 1985 by reaching their first semi-final since 1964. Although disappointed with that result and another semi final defeat in 1986, Kevin, Sean Colgan, Jim Fay and Harry O’Connor stuck to their task and were rewarded with the senior hurling crown in 1987.
After taking a break, he acted as a selector from 1991 to 1998. In this period Trim added four more senior titles to their collection. During these years he also acted as a selector on the Meath minor hurling team and was the groundsman in St. Loman’s Park. He took this role very seriously and the pitch was always in immaculate condition as a result of his efforts.
Kevin Murray was one of Meath’s greatest supporters, both hurling and football. He rarely missed a game and took great pride in Meath’s successes between 1986 and 2001. He saw his son Declan win an All-Ireland B hurling medal in 1993 and had the great pleasure of witnessing Declan and Benny in action when the Meath senior hurling team hit great heights by beating both Wexford and Offaly in the National Hurling League, while also giving Offaly a severe shock in the 1996 Leinster Senior Championship at Croke Park.
It is fair to say that Kevin was an integral part of Trim GAA for well over thirty years. He contributed much to the success of the club in so many ways, both on and off the field. His four sons were some of the best dual players to ever play for the club. They were a credit to the club and to Kevin and his wife Mary. His sudden death has left a void in the club and in the town. The club wishes to pass on its sincerest condolences to Mary and her sons Kevin, Martin, Declan and Benny. It may be small consolation to them at this time, but it can be said without a shadow of a doubt that he made a lasting contribution and he will be greatly missed.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis
Trim GAA club

Bobby Whyte (Trim)
The death occurred of Bobby Whyte (65) who was the holder of an astonishing 11 Meath senior championship medals.
Seven of those came in hurling with Kilmessan between 1961 and ‘78 and he was a member of the great Summerhill team which won four successive SFC titles between 1974 and ‘77.
His first success with Summerhill was a junior medal in 1966 and that was followed by an IFC award in 1972. A Feis Cup medal arrived a year later when he was centre half back on the team that beat St. Johns in the final. He played his underage hurling with Kiltale and now his son Stephen plays with Kiltale and recently won his first senior hurling championship medal with the Kiltale club.
He didn’t move into goals with Summerhill until 1974 and played in seven successive SFC finals in that position, including the ‘77 replay against Seneschalstown.
That was a very special year for Bobby as Summerhill also won the Leinster Club Championship with a final victory over the star studded St. Vincent’s team from Dublin.
Along with Mattie Kerrigan, he had the distinction of winning SFC and SHC medals that year, he also completed the senior double the previous year.
Apart from the seven SHC medals he won with Kilmessan, including three-in-a-row between ‘76 and ‘78, the deceased also served as chairman and selector with the club and was manager when they won their last senior title in 2004.
Bobby also played hurling with Meath and was a county selector in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
The funeral took place in Dangan and was attended by his former playing colleagues on the Summerhill and Kilmessan teams. He is survived by his wife Kathleen and children Eleanor, Marcella, Robert and Stephen.
A minute’s silence was observed before the Summerhill and Seneschalstown SFC quarter-final game.

Daire Maxwell (Skryne)
There was widespread shock and sadness in the parish of Skryne and beyond on Saturday, May 12 as word started to filter through of the tragic and untimely death of 16 year old Daire Maxwell.
Over the last number of years Daire had played his part in the underage sector of Skryne GFC, moving up through the grades and in the process growing into a talented young footballer.
Daire loved playing football, especially with Skryne, where the underage players in the club were his friends and the senior players were his inspiration to become a better footballer.
Daire was a member of the victorious Rathfeigh NS mini sevens team in 2001 and went on to captain the Lismullen NS team that won the Division 3 Cup in 2003, while repeating sixth class in the school.
He was on the Skryne under 14 team that took the honours in the Division 3A League in 2004 and last year he had graduated up to playing with the Skryne minor team who were unfortunately beaten in both Division 2 league and championship finals.
Daire played his final game for Skryne minors at corner back against St. Martin’s on the Friday night before the accident.
The large crowd that attended Daire’s removal and funeral in Skryne Church is proof of the huge number of lives he had touched. A guard of honour from Skryne GFC, Ashbourne Community School, Rathfeigh NS, Lismullen NS and Skryne NS accompanied Daire from Swan’s to the church.
The Ratoath and Skryne/Tara soccer teams showed their support at the house and removal.
Daire will be sorely missed and Skryne GFC extend its sincere sympathy to his sisters Michelle and Elaine, his foster parents Ed and Carmel McKeown, the Farnan and Dawson families, his relatives and many friends.
Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam
Skryne GFC

Fr Billy Behan (Offaly/Summerhill/Oristown)
Oristown parish priest Fr. Billy Behan, who passed away following an illness, was an inspiring force behind the most successful period in Summerhill GFC’s history,
A native of Kilcormac in County Offaly, Fr. Behan became chairman of the Summerhill club in 1974. The Meath SFC was won for the first time that year with a narrow final victory over Bohermeen and to complete a wonderful double, the Feis Cup was also annexed.
Summerhill went on to lift the Keegan Cup in each of the next three years and the Offaly native was at the centre of this winning run. In 1975 they defeated Navan O’Mahonys in a memorable decider and the JFC title was also won.
The three in a row was completed with a very comfortable final success over Walterstown and a fourth triumph on the trot was celebrated following a replay victory over Seneschalstown.
That was followed with Summerhill becoming the first Meath side to win the Leinster club football title with a final victory over St. Vincent’s of Dublin in Newbridge.
The curtain came down on a wonderful run of success in the Meath SFC when Walterstown reversed the result of the 1976 final with a narrow victory in the ‘78 decider to take the title for the first time.
While Summerhill had a number of talented players at the time, Fr. Behan, along with his fellow selectors Eddie Allen and Paddy Daly, both of whom passed away in the last few years, played a huge role in the rise of the new football force in the county.
“A quiet and unassuming man, Fr. Behan was a doer more than a talker. He was a great clubman, a very good judge of a footballer and a very shrewd football man,” said Mattie Kerrigan, one of the big stars of the successes of the ‘70s.
Fr. Behan was transferred from Summerhill in 1979 and went to Kilbeggan before serving in Yellow Furze and Oristown. An Honourary President of the Wolfe Tones club, he was present at the SFC final in October 2006 when Tones took the title for the first time.

Josephine Kane (Leixlip/Kiltale)
In June of 1984, Josephine Kane (nee Toomey) from Leixlip came to live in Kiltale after marrying Brendan Kane from Batterjohn. It was a good time to be around as Brendan had guided Kiltale to their senior hurling triumphs of ’82 and ’83 and there was a feel good factor in the parish. As the Kane family were a driving force behind Kiltale hurling club it was inevitable that Josephine would get involved at some level. She got immersed in such fundraising events as tea parties, talent contests, fashion shows and ticket selling. But it was her culinary skills when it came to the Senior Citizen Christmas parties that Josephine excelled. When dinner was over Josephine would chat and dance and make sure everybody was happy before they went home. She was loved by all senior citizens.
Josephine was a devoted wife to Brendan and a loving and dedicated mother to Donna and Thomas. As a neighbour, Josephine had no equals. She will always be remembered for her care and kindness to other people and for her infectious smile. Josephine is sadly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her, including the staff and patients of Dunboyne Rehab Centre where she worked as a carer until her untimely death. May the light of heaven always shine on Josephine.

Padraig (Pat) Sheridan
A native of Oldcastle with whom he won a junior football championship (1965), Pat moved to England in the late 1960’s where he played hurling and football for the Sean McDermotts club and represented Warwickshire in both codes. He moved to Belfast and played hurling and football for his wife’s home club Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone. Pat played in a Tyrone senior football final and played inter county hurling for Tyrone. In 1979 he moved with his family to Kiltale where he played hurling and also football with Moynalvey. As his sons Cathal, Barry and Mark grew he became very involved with underage teams in both clubs. He was involved with the Moynalvey/Kilcloon Minor combination that won 3 Minor championships in the early 90’s and was a selector on the Moynalvey U21 team that won the championship in 1993 when his three sons were on the starting 15. He coached underage hurling in Kiltale and Kiltale National School for 15 years. He spent a short period of time as a selector with Meath Minor footballers. It was with great pride that Pat watched his sons Cathal and Barry win Minor All-Irelands with Meath in 1990 and 1992 and Cathal continued with U21 and senior football and senior hurling for Meath. He was also a vital player as Meath won their only All-Ireland under 21 trophy in 1993. At Pat’s funeral in Kiltale his coffin was draped with the Oldcastle and Kiltale jerseys and the present adult teams from Moynalvey and Kiltale formed a Guard of Honour.
(Both supplied by Kiltale HC)

Nobby Dunne (Naul)
Nobby Dunne was a very active member of St Colmcilles since the mid 90's. The Naul native became immersed in the underage set up when his two nephews Neil and Ciaran Dunne were playing. He was involved with a team that won U14 and U16 Championships and got to a minor Championship Final.
Nobby then progressed to the adult club and carried out the role of secretary with great distinction from 1999 to 2002. He was an excellent club man and if you needed him to do a job you were never found wanting.
It was a sad loss to the club when Nobby passed away after a long battle with cancer last year. He is sadly missed by his wide circle of friends and relatives.
St. Colmcilles GFC

Davina Mc Cullouch
(Drumbaragh)
Davina died following an illness. Her brother Alan has won two Under 21 medals with Drumbaragh.

Micheal Friary (Drumbaragh)
Micheal was a lifelong G.A.A. supporter. His nephews played for Drumbaragh and his brother Tony is Club President.

Noel Dardis (Drumbaragh)
A lifelong G.A.A. supporter, Noel played for Drumbaragh in his younger days. His son Damien plays for Gaeil Colmcille.
All supplied by Drumbaragh GFC

Fr PJ Flynn (Cavan/Kilmainhamwood)
When Fr PJ Flynn came to Kilmainhamwood in 2000 our football club was preparing for a senior county final clash with Dunshaughlin. Having ministered in Leitrim and Cavan, Fr. P. J. had not previously experienced the white hot intensity of a small rural parish trying to land Meath's greatest football prize.Victory in the final was not to be but when we gathered in the Newgrange Hotel after the match Fr P.J. took the opportunity to get to know both players and officials and the many supporters and friends who go to make a club. He became immediately popular as he did with everyone he met. His easy going manner and charm endeared him to all. He became honourary president of our club later on that year at our AGM. He would always remember us in his prayers and good wishes at Sunday morning mass whenever we had a big game and was particularly pleased when our ladies team met with championship success. He was a talented musician and singer and would always sing a couple of his favourite songs and play his accordion at every football function. His passing at such a young age was a great loss to his family and his many friends and also to our parish and community. Many more elegant words than these will be written about Fr PJ Flynn because he has touched the lives of many and brought joy wherever he went. On behalf of Kilmainhamwood GAA club we extend our deepest sympathy to all his family and friends on their great loss.
Kilmainhamwood GFC

Peter Carolan
(Lisnagrew, Kilmainhamwood)
Gaels all over Meath and particularly in Kilmainhamwood were shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Peter Carolan of Lisnagrew, Kilmainhamwood. Affectionately know to his friends as Snowball, he was a stalwart player and club official with Kilmainhamwood all his life. He also featured prominently with the Gypsum team in many factory league games in the fifties and sixties. When he first donned the Wood jersey it was in the black and white hooped strip and the team competed at junior level. The year 1957 saw them promoted to the intermediate ranks and in 1959 the Wood contested the intermediate final but lost to Donaghmore (now Donaghmore Ashbourne). Other members of that team who have already gone to their eternal reward were Nedjer Mooney, Tom Monaghan, Harry Dillon and Paddy( Gippy) Clarke. In 1964 the ‘Wood were back in the final, this time facing a very strong Walterstown outfit which included names like Richie Barry, Mick O’Brien and Pat Reynolds. Once more the ‘Wood had to be content with runner up status. As is so often the case, it was third time lucky when Peter and the ‘Wood in an all white strip, finally made the break through and were crowned intermediate champions in 1965 after a great victory over Ballivor. He was ably assisted on that great day by his brother John, his brother in law John Gaynor, Fr Sean and Fr Seamus Cassidy, Pat Kavanagh and a very youthful Percy McKeever. Peter was a fitter by trade and worked with Gypsum Industries until his retirement some years ago. He was also a part time farmer with a great ‘gra’ for cattle and the land. A life long bachelor, he was a well known raconteur and storyteller. Peter had manys the great story of herculean deeds performed by all the great footballers of his day. He also had enormous regard for the great club officials who kept small rural clubs alive while contending with emigration and the depressed rural economy of the fifties and sixties. On the evening of his removal Kilmainhamwood football club members, past and present provided a sixty strong guard of honour to Kingscourt parish church as a mark of respect for his great contribution over so many years. Peter was a card carrying member of Fine Gael, a branch officer and a great worker when election time came around and he is survived by his brother John Carolan and his sisters Betty Ormond, Mary Gaynor and Eileen Smith. He will be remembered with great fondness by a large extended family, a huge circle of neighbours, friends, club mates and work colleagues.
Kilmainhamwood GFC

Dick Tallon (Ardcath)
Dick was involved with the St. Vincents club for a long number of years and supported every team wearing the maroon jersey. He was a Sean Gael winner. Dick’s son James was chairman when the men from the Hill gained junior B championship honours in 2003. James himself lined out with the Meath juniors and after playing in the semi final defeat of Cork at full forward, was a substitute on the Meath All-Ireland minor team of 1977. James’ son Robert (Dick’s grandson) was a member of this year’s Meath under 16 winning Gerry O’Reilly tournament panel. Another grandson Cathal (Tommy’s son) captained St. Cianans to under 16 B success in 2007.

Vera Hand (Ardcath)
Vera was a sister of the aforementioned Dick Tallon and the wife of Billy Hand, a member of one of the great Ardcath football dynasties. She was the mother of Pat Hand, chairman of the St. Vincents juvenile club and was always a great supporter of both the Vincents and Meath teams.

Ena Boyle (Augherskea, Drumree)
Ena was the mother of Fr. Gerry, John, Mick and Alan. All played with both St. Martins juvenile club and Drumree. She was an avid follower of many sporting events and was an enthusiastic supporter of hurling and football in Drumree.

Annie Mary Giblin (Laytown)
Annie Mary was the wife of the former Garda Chief Superintendent for the Louth-Meath area, Owen Giblin. At one stage Owen acted as secretary of the local St. Colmcilles club. Owen Giblin played county minor football for his native Roscommon and lined out with his club team St. Marys of Tulsk. Later he was involved with the Castlebar Mitchells and Garda clubs in Dublin. Annie Mary and Owen’s son Gerard carries on the family tradition as a high ranking Garda, has played hurling for Louth and is now involved with the Donaghmore Ashbourne club.

Pauline Connolly (Flathouse)
Pauline was an Honourary President of the St. Pauls club. Her sons Bill and Mick played for the old Flathouse club which was the fore runner to the present St.Pauls unit.
Enda Reilly (Kilskyre/Bohermeen)
Enda came from a family of 18 children and like all the boys in his house, played football with the parish teams. He lined out with the Kilskyre minor side in 1955 and ‘56 and in the latter year captained the team against De La Salle of Navan in the county decider. The lean late ‘50s and early ‘60s saw Enda take the emigrants boat to England. He later moved to Canada, working in the mines, a career he continued on returning to Ireland. Enda was employed by Avoca Mines in Wicklow, Silvermines in Tipperary and eventually Tara Mines as he and his family happily settled in Bohermeen parish.

Billy Byrne (Drumree)
Billy passed away earlier this year and is survived by his wife and four children, Ray, Liam, Margaret and Grainne. He took part in many sports such as football, hurling and cross country running, to name but a few. Billy played football with Drumree GAA for years at centre half back. During his time playing with Drumree he won two Junior and one Intermediate title. According to his friend and co-player, Billy Rattigan, “Billy Byrne was one of the most popular men ever to have played with Drumree.”
Billy ran cross country, representing Meath for many years. One of his greatest achievements was winning a Bronze All-Ireland medal in cross country running in the late 40’s/early 50’s. He maintained his interest in sport long after he stopped participating and lent his talents in different ways by serving as a member of the Drumree GAA Committee.
Drumree GAA

Kevin O’Connor (Curraha)
The late Kevin O’Connor (RIP) of Hilltown, Garristown, Co. Meath, who died recently, was a distinguished, widely known and respected stalwart of Curraha GAA Club through six decades, ranking a close second in popularity and dedication towards the GAA and Curraha, to the late Joe McDermott.
After a long playing career with Curraha, which included a spell with Donaghmore, during which he won an intermediate football championship medal in 1950, Kevin went on to become secretary of Curraha GAA club from 1973 to 1983 and also as chairman in 1985. He later became secretary again for one season, and held various other positions including selector at various times. He was also the club’s delegate to the Meath County Board for several years where he always represented the interests of the Curraha GAA club with gusto. In later years he was conferred a President of the club.
Kevin was also an ardent supporter of Meath teams and helped the Supporter’s Club each year. He attended all the top matches in hurling and football and was as well known in Croke Park, Clones or Breffni Park as in Navan. His jovial sense of humour, coupled with a mischievous ability to catch one unawares, whether by tricking you to buy a ticket or make a subscription to a myriad of charitable causes, showed his remarkable generosity, energy, enthusiasm and genuine friendliness.
Kevin thoroughly enjoyed the club’s various successes down the years and he liked nothing more than to watch the progress of the under age and younger players as they developed. He also had a great interest in camogie at which his daughters Mary and Nora excelled.
Kevin was hugely respected by gaels from far and wide and this was evidenced by the number of inter county players and officials and household names from gaelic and other sports who attended his funeral. His passing is a great loss to Curraha GAA club. It is hoped that his memory will be spoken about fondly for many years to come, especially when marking the successes of our teams. Kevin, it was our joy and privilege to have you on our ‘team’
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.
Curraha GFC

Stanley McDonagh (Navan)
It is with regret that I have learned of the death earlier this evening (Wed. 07 Nov.) of Stanley McDonagh. To those of us who new him, Stanley was a great friend and a great GAA man. He must have been one of the most loyal Meath supporters to ever cheer for the Royal. I travel to a good number of Meath games and invariably would meet Stanley some time during the day. It could be going in or coming out of the game or on the stand itself, where there was one. It could be in some town on the journey there or back or it could be in a pub before or after the match. I met him in Wexford, Portlaoise, Newbridge, Longford, Cavan, Galway, Roscommon, Enniskillen, Belfast, Carrick-on Shannon and dozens of times in Croke Park. There are probably more places that I forget.
The last time I bumped into him at a match was this Summer in a pub in Newry before the game. When we played Fermanagh in Navan for some unknown reason half way through the game I got an eerie feeling that he was not at the match. When I got home I contacted one of his relations only to find out that he was in hospital. He also missed the Galway and Tyrone games and on visiting him at home I suggested that he would probably watch the Cork game on the television. He was quite indignant at the suggestion. "You mean to tell me that Meath are in a semi-final and that I won’t be there. Well, if it’s the last thing I do I’ll drag this little body of mine into Croke Park for that game, and if I die at it, I’ll die happy regardless of the result.” Well he survived that match but alas he won’t have the pleasure of cheering for the Royal again.
Stanley was a Navan man and very proud of it. He was a founder member of Navan O’Mahonys and wouldn’t hear one bad word said against them. Indeed many of us who knew him, hoped that he would see his team lift the cup this year as we knew that there would not be very many Keegan Cups left in him. Alas that did not happen but he has seen a good many of them come to Navan.
Stanley was born in a small tenement house on Brews Hill, which is long gone, and which backed on to what is now O’Mahonys pitch. He told me that when he would come home from school, his mother would often send him on errands to shops in the Square. Despite the short journey the task would usually take him about an hour and a half as he would know every person he met and would stop to talk to them all. He said that despite his health problems now he could do it there and back in about twenty minutes as he wouldn’t know one or very few at least. Those he would know would now only be inclined to have the briefest chat. Nothing better describes the way Navan and most rural towns have changed over the intervening years.
I dare say that there are not many of the current younger generation of Navan O’Mahonys members who knew Stanley and even less still Meath supporters. However, without the Stanleys of this world there would be no Navan O’Mahonys or other clubs. Neither would there be a Meath team or a GAA at all. They worked for their clubs and association during hard times and developed them into the fine structures we see today. It is up to those of us to whom the mantle has been passed to honour their names by continuing the good work they started.
To finalise I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Nora and his daughter Brigid, Brother Dessie, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and all relatives and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.
Joe O’Brien

Bill Byrne (Moynalvey)
Bill was a member of the Byrne family of Winetown which has served Moynalvey with distinction over the decades Bill resided in England for a number of years but without fail returned each summer to support club and county in championship fair. A true gael, who will be sorely missed. May God have mercy on his soul.
Moynalvey GFC

Joesphine Collins (Moynalvey)
Josie, mother of GAA stalwarts Peter and John, was an unsung hero in the running of Moynalvey GFC. She carried out many unseen roles in the background which facilitated the running of the club. She will be fondly remembered for her role in the collection of tickets come big match day. A trip to ‘Mrs Collins’ was always looked forward too. May God have mercy on her soul.
Moynalvey GFC

Derek Dunne (Moynalvey)
Twenty two year old Derek died tragically in February 2007. He was the son of Pauric (Paul) and Rita Dunne of Clonlyon. Derek played football with Moynalvey from underage through to minor, under 21 and Junior C level. He was awarded player of the year in 2003, the year Moynalvey won the Junior C championship. Derek also played hurling with Kiltale at underage level and up to under 21. He was a committed club member and was well known for his efforts in encouraging his footballing team mates to attend training and matches, especially at minor level when player numbers were limited. Derek is a great loss to our club and community but to his family and friends that loss is more profound. His father Pauric is one of the best known GAA officials in our area. He has acted as a selector with Meath underage teams and has given tremendous service to our club for decades. To Pauric, Rita, Gillian,Thomas, Gary, Keith, Paula and extended family we offer our deepest sympathy and ongoing support.
Moynalvey GFC

Jarlath Reilly (Moylagh)
Jarlath was tragically killed in an accident at work. He played with Moylagh and Moylagh-Oldcastle underage combinations, usually in goals and was involved in two minor finals.

Pee Frank Gibney (Moylagh)
Pee Frank was a former player, selector, manager with the north Meath club and died after a sudden illness.

Christy Martin (Moylagh)
Christy was from one of the best known families in the vicinity and lined out with Moylagh during the 1950s.

Rosie Gibney (Moylagh)
Rosie was a sister of the aforementioned Christy Martin and was one of the great characters of the area. With her husband, she ran the popular ‘Teddys Pub’ for years. The Teddy Gibney Cup is annually handed over to the winners of a tournament which usually involves local clubs.

Walter Chatten (Moylagh)
Walter was a club member and lined out with the club in the 1950s.

Jack Briody (Moylagh)
An outstanding footballer in his younger days, Jack was one of the last surviving members of the great Oldcastle team of the 1940s. He also played with nearby Moylagh during the 1950s. Jack also acted as a Moylagh committee member through the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s and was a selector in the 1970s when Moylagh football was at its peak. Living in Kilskyre parish, Jack’s sons Gerard and Oliver both lined out for Ballinlough.

Liana Elise Howard
(Culmullen/Germany)
Little six and a half year old Liana Elise died peacefully after being ill for some time. A very special girl, she was the granddaughter of Finian Englishby, the former Chairman of the Meath Hurling Board and a Wolfe Tones club member.

James McCabe (Cannistown)
James was a great supporter of the Bective team. His son Adrian currently plays adult football with the club.

Robin Wynne (Simonstown)
Robin was a long standing member of Simonstown Gaels and was extremely popular amongst club members.

Sean Donohoe (Simonstown)
Sean was a very successful businessman in Navan and was proprietor of Sean Donohoe Electrical. The Proudstown resident had a close association with the neighbouring Simonstown club and was a big Meath supporter.

James Cassidy (Carlanstown/Beauparc)
Jimmy played with the Meath team on a number of occasions. He won an intermediate medal with his native Carlanstown in 1945. Jimmy later moved to live near Beauparc. He became a big supporter of the St. Marys club. His sons Seamus and Aidan won Meath junior championship medals with the Marys in 1979.

Joseph Tolan (Wilkinstown)
Joseph was a well known and talented accordion player who featured on many RTE Irish music programmes. A number of his grandchildren feature with the local Wolfe Tones club.

Patrica Carr (Gibbstown)
The head of one of the most prominent families in the Gibbstown area, Patricia was the mother of popular Wolfe Tones secretary Michael Carr. Another son Morgan, acts as a selector with the club.

Sean Callaghan (Navan)
One of the best known business people in Navan, Sean was the proprietor of Commons Road Cars. A founding member of Navan Male Voice Singers, he was a devoted Meath supporter who never missed an inter county match involving the Royals.

John Dunne (Kilcloon)
John had a lengthy playing career with Kilcloon GAA. He started with the under 14s and was on the team that contested the 1968 under 14 final against Johnstown, which Kilcloon lost in a replay. John was also a member of the side that reached the under 21 final in 1971. He played adult football for Kilcloon for many years, in goals and as full back, and won Player of the Year in 1979. He was on the Kilcloon team that won the division 4 league in 1986, beating Bellewstown in the final. John was a much valued and reliable member of Kilcloon football teams and he continued playing up until 1992. Later he was a member of the Blackhall Gaels GAA club which was formed when Kilcloon and Batterstown amalgamated in 1995 and was an avid supporter and friend to the club. Ar dheis lamh Dé go raibh a anam.
Blackhall Gaels GAA

John Bennett (Carnaross)
A very popular figure, Johnny was a regular on Carnaross teams for years and in later times rarely missed a match. He was a former President of the club while his son Sean played underage football with the north Meath unit.

Vincent McEntee (Nobber)
A member of the best known GAA family in the north Meath village, Vincent acted as a selector when Nobber reached the 1976 junior decider. He continued to follow the fortunes of his beloved Nobber. Vincent McEntee was the brother of former club President Tony and of Lal and Jack, who both pulled on the club colours in the1940s. He was also the uncle and cousin of many who donned the famous black and amber.

Kathy Smith (Nobber)
Kathy, since moving from Kingscourt to the village in the early 1950s was one of the club’s and Meath’s most avid and loyal supporters. She was the mother of former chairman Gene and former treasurer Frank, both of whom played with Nobber in the 1970s. Kathy was also the grandmother of Kevin, whose football career was cut short due to injury. Her vocal support still echoes at club matches and she is sadly missed.

Mary Horgan (Nobber)
(nee Geoghegan) Mary was the mother of Paddy (ACC) and John (Kepak), both of whom played with Nobber in county finals during the 1970s. Paddy lined out against Kells in the junior B final of 1974 while John was involved against Curraha in the junior A decider of 1976 and the intermediate final of 1977, when Dunshaughlin provided the opposition. Mary was also the grandmother of Ciaran and Enda, who played schools football with Nobber and underage with Castletown and Patrick, a current Nobber under 10 squad member.
All supplied by Nobber GFC

Tom Nugent (Ballinlough/Canada)
Tom was a multi talented footballer who lined out with a number of teams before emigrating to Canada in 1959. He played underage football with his native Ballinlough in 1951 and ‘52. Thereafter he lined out with Dunshaughlin in 1953 and ‘54 and Oldcastle in 1955 and 1956. Tom was also good enough to wear the county jersey at junior level. In Canada, he excelled at hockey and broomball.

Margaret Halligan
(Rathkenny/Boyerstown)
Margaret was the mother of Paul Halligan, who served as both chairman and secretary of the Meath juvenile board.

Mary ‘Molly’ Gill (Cortown)
Mary was the mother of Elizabeth, the wife of popular county board official Barney Allen.

Nancy Kealy (Grangegeeth)
Nee Meade, Nancy was the wife of Ollie Kealy who played for both Rathkenny and Meath. Ollie won an All-Ireland junior medal with the Royal County in 1962 when lining out at full forward. Their sons also played with Rathkenny. Nancy was a great GAA woman and a huge Meath supporter.

Della ‘Del’ Doyle (Raharney/Ballivor)
Del Doyle was a native of Craddenstown, Raharney Co Westmeath. Her husband the late Tom Doyle known locally as "The Black" was a noted footballer at centre back for Ballivor. Between them they reared a great footballing family who were loyal servants of the local club. The eldest son Paid played at centre field for Ballivor and has two intermediate championship medals. He also got a run on the county team, in the goals of all places. Seamus won an under 21 championship with Ballivor, while Colm the youngest son won a Curran Cup medal also against Skryne when he played at centre back. His immediate opponent that day was none other than Colm O'Rourke.
The two girls, Mel and Olive keep up the family footballing tradition. Mel was a very prominent lady footballer in the Dublin championship some years ago while Olive was the first lady secretary - and a very competent one - of the Ballivor club.
Del Doyle worked for a number of years in NEC and was a very popular character. Her funeral was representative of all classes and creeds.
Ballivor GFC
 
Paddy Dixon (Ballivor)
Paddy Dixon was one of the proudest footballers in Ballivor and rightly so, as he was centre half back on the Meath senior football team that brought the coveted Sam Maguire cup to the county for the first time way back in 1949. As a youth, Paddy was a big, strong burly fellow and he caught the eye of the Meath minor selectors. He made his intercounty debut with the minor hurlers, not the footballers mind you. Disappointed that he wasn’t selected for the Meath senior football team that played the Army in Ballivor in a challenge game in 1945, he spoke to Father McManus, the chairman of the County Board about it. Paddy soon realised that to achieve his dream he had first to pull himself up by his bootstraps and bring Ballivor with him.
Following Ballivor's victory in the intermediate championship of 1946 Paddy was an automatic choice for the Meath junior team. After a couple of victories in the Leinster Championship, including the defeat of Dublin, Paddy was snatched off the juniors to play senior with Meath. According to Paddy himself he was reluctant to leave as the juniors had high hopes of winning out, but Father Tully, the new chairman and Ted Meade, a selector persuaded him that his future lay with the senior team, and how right they were.
All through the 1949 senior championship, Paddy played a stormer at centre half back. He always maintained that the three games against Louth in the Leinster Championship made a team out of Meath. According to Father Tully, Paddy played his best football with Meath overseas - against Mayo at New Eltham in the Wembley Tournament, and especially against New York at the Polo grounds in the final of the national league of 1951. That day against New York Paddy had a point to prove. He had been dropped to the subs bench for the All-Ireland final a couple of weeks earlier and had not even been called upon as Meath went under to Mayo. That rankled with Paddy, but thankfully he set things right in New York when he took the game by the scruff of the neck and Meath ran out worthy winners after a titanic struggle.
For Ballivor Paddy had many stirring moments in a long career, against Rathmolyon, Trim, Carlanstown Kilbeg, Skryne, Syddan, O'Mahonys - the list is endless. Perhaps his proudest moment was against Donaghmore in the Feis Cup Final of 1950. Donaghmore were hot favourites with Eamon Boland of Roscommon fame at full back, "Hitler" Morgan at midfield, Jackie Maye in the forwards etc., all powerful players. They had beaten North Meath, the senior champions in the semi final of the Feis Cup while Ballivor had scraped over Dunderry in the other semi final with a late Eoghan Garvey point. Granted Ballivor had the services of three outstanding Longwood hurlers, the brothers Fergus and Aidan Foran and Johnny Dargan at centre back. At midfield Paddy Dixon, and his brother Billy, home from honeymoon, held sway for most of the hour. The late Johnny "Crash" Corrigan had a great battle with Jackie Maye and Eamon Boland had more than a handful with the Black Doyle, his brother Joe and Jack Hatton all bearing down upon him. Just before the referee Paul Russell, the Kerryman blew the final whistle Paddy Dixon pointed a huge long distance free. After the presentation of the Cup, Paddy joked with Father Tully "that free,” he said, “must be all of 70 yards". Father Tully went out on the pitch in Navan and stepped it. On his return, he said "not quite the 70 yards Paddy. It's about 5 yards short.” “I don't care,” says Paddy, “I nearly broke my chin with the wallop I gave it. It must be some kind of a world record Father.”
The untimely death of his beloved wife Kathleen (Loughran) was a huge personal loss to Paddy. Paddy and his whole family were grief stricken at this great loss and found it hard to keep the tears back. It was no great surprise that Paddy who was heartbroken did not last long after Kay. Soon they were reunited again. This time the family saw fit to celebrate Paddy’s life and achievements particularly on the football field.
At his funeral, the Meath team of 1949 was well represented. Indeed among the large throng, was the Cavan player that Paddy marked in the final, the great forward Mick Higgins. At the graveside, John Quinn of Ballivor and radio fame, a life long admirer  of "Stonewall" Dixon, paid the final tribute to Paddy, a great Ballivor and Meath Gael.
Ballivor GFC

Brigid Hussey (Ballinacree)
(nee Gaffney) Brigid’s grandsons, the Timmons all played with the local St. Brigids club.

Maisie Smith (Hayestown)
Maisie was a great supporter of the Meath football team and her granddaughters, the Quinn twins, play with the Seneschalstown ladies team.

Molly Comiskey (Dean Hill)
Molly’s family are heavily involved in the local Seneschalstown club. Her sons in law, Jim Keating and Eric Clarke are former committee members. Molly’s grandsons Jonathan and Mark Keating and the Clarkes, David and Adrian, all played with the club.

Denise O’Shea
(Seneschalstown/England)
Denise’s uncle-in-law Pat Carter was a former chairman and treasurer of Seneschalstown while her cousins Sonny and Maurice Carter were star players with the Furze club.

John Joe Curran (Kerry/Beauparc)
John Joe hailed from scenic Annascaul and remained a big follower of the Kerry football team as well as his adopted Seneschalstown.

Winnifred McGuirk (Beauparc)
Winnifred lived to the grand old age of 93. Her late husband Richard (Dick) played with Seneschalstown. She was the mother of Richard McGuirk, a vital member of the Seneschalstown squad which swept to Meath senior championship honours in 1972. Another son, Martin McGuirk, is the present PRO of the club. Martin gained a Meath junior championship medal in 1973 and was a star underage player between the under 14 and 21 ranks. Winnifred’s grandson Gordon also played with the club and maintains the Seneschalstown GAA website.

Rosaleen Nulty (Ballinlough)
(nee Cummins) Rosaleen joined the Seymourstown camogie club in the 1930s, spanning a period of six years, from 1932-1938. The matches were played in Rooney’s field in Seymourstown. She played in the full back position where she was renowned for her extremely long puck out, which usually landed on the full forward line. She won two championship medals while playing for Seymourstown. On one occasion, her passion for the game led her to cross swords with a gentleman named Thomas Nulty. During one of the club matches, the ball was pucked down the field, heading over the sidelines when Rosaleen ran to puck the ball, she inadvertently hit Thomas on the ankle. However, this unfortunate accident worked out to be a blessing in disguise as the couple later married!
Most notably, Rosaleen was a member of the Meath team who played in the final in Croke Park in 1934.
Ballinlough GFC

Roland Curran (Kildalkey/Navan)
Roland came to live in Navan nearly 20 years ago and became heavily involved in the underage section of the local Simonstown club, both as a mentor and selector. He acted as joint manager when the club just went under to arch rivals O’Mahonys in the under 16 final of 1989. Roland’s sons Darren and Gary both play with the Gaels.

Elizabeth (Betty) Tuite
(Westmeath/Crossakiel)
Elizabeth and her husband Michael from nearby Oldcastle bought a farm and came to live in the Clonabraney area of Crossakiel nearly 50 years ago. An absolute lady, this writer recalls how, doing Gael Linn collections on cold and frosty evenings in the 60s, she would meet you at the door with a big smile, asking you ‘were you cold’, often had a bar of chocolate ready and of course, her weekly subscription. Elizabeth’s son Michael won a junior championship medal with Ballinlough in 1988, followed it up with an intermediate trophy three years later and was good enough to play junior football for the county. Michael junior was a Ballinlough senior player for 10 years. His father Michael never misses a Meath or Ballinlough game while daughters Margaret, Sheila and Elizabeth were excellent lady players with the old Kilskyre club. Elizabeth’s funeral at Kilskyre Church was one of the largest ever seen in the area.

The Clann na nGael club would like to pass on condolences to relatives of the following deceased:
Dan MacDonnacha, a past president of the An Gaeltacht club and father to current committee member Thomas.

Mac Dara Nee, a brother in law of current club secretary Anthony Sheridan. Mac Dara’s father Colman, Principal of Cannistown NS, carried out terrific work with Athboy underage football combinations back in the 1970s.

Bridget ‘Delia’ Griffin, mother to current committee member MJ Griffin and grandmother to a number of players.

Frances Shore, a Kilkenny woman and the mother of player Pat Shore. Pat was at full back when Clann na nGael recently won the intermediate hurling championship.

Tommy Lenehan, father of Teresa and Ann Griffin and grandfather to numerous players.

Mary Murray, a grandmother of Kevin, Eamonn, Aine and Eilis Conneally.

Tom Flynn (Killinkere/Nobber)
A very popular man across north Meath and east Cavan, Tom was a teacher in Kells since 1979, first at the old CBS and later when the Community School opened in 1988. The GAA had a huge part to play in Tom Flynn’s life.
Tom had a great love for gaelic games and gaelic football in particular. Throughout his life he was involved at one level or another in the GAA. He played his underage and club football with Killinkere, winning a Cavan intermediate championship medal in 1982. He also won junior league medals. He was deeply involved at administration level for many years. Tom was a highly effective secretary of Killinkere GFC for a number of years, as well as holding other officer positions such as vice chairman and registrar. His contribution was always well thought out and positive. He was a member of the Cavan County Board. He delivered training courses to GAA club officers throughout county Cavan in the period of 1982-84.
Tom was widely respected for his opinions on GAA matters and highly regarded for the manner in which he could put forward his views. He often used the medium of the Anglo Celt to outline his views on GAA matters. These views were always given with honesty and passion.
In the area of gaelic football, Tom will be best remembered for his contribution to coaching, particularly at underage level. Tom held a qualification in coaching from 1989. For many years he tirelessly coached underage teams in Killinkere through the ranks to maturity. Many past and present senior players will bear testament to this. Tom was a coach to St. Killian’s and was delighted at the success of this amalgamation of Killinkere, Cuchullains and Maghera at minor and under 21 level.
Tom Flynn coached numerous teams in Kells school where he taught, including the senior school side for six years. Since setting up home in Nobber, he had a successful stint coaching the local football team and recently was part of the coaching team at under 10 level until illness halted him, once again showing his dedication to the guidance of youth.
On arriving in Nobber he coached under 10 and 12 teams and looked after the adult team for a year. He was on the Nobber committee. Fittingly both Killinkere and Nobber clubs played a lead role in the various guards of honour as the coffin was brought to Nobber graveyard.
A friend

Michael Brogan (Oldcastle)
A chemist in the north Meath town, Michael was originally from Drogheda. A son, Andrew, was a regular on the Oldcastle intermediate team for years.

Oliver Beggan (Oldcastle)
Oliver was a brother of Paddy Beggan, who played for Meath against Kerry in the All-Ireland final of 1939.

John Woods (Oldcastle)
John was a member of the Church of Ireland and was heavily involved with fundraisers run by the club.

Bridie Reidy (Clare/Oldcastle)
Bridie was a native of Clare and was the grandmother of Gerald Reidy who plays with the club,

Jim (James Joseph) Sheridan
(Oldcastle/Dublin)
Jim died in January 2007 and was the brother of Padraig Sheridan (Moynalvey/Kiltale) who died later in the year. He played underage football with Oldcastle.

Joan Kellett (Oldcastle)
Joan was the mother of TP (Toss), a very successful businessman in Oldcastle, and who never turns down a request for sponsorship. Her grandson Richard was an under 21 star in 2007.

Mary Smyth (Oldcastle)
Mary was the wife of Brendan Smyth, the owner of the popular Railway Bar. Brendan has enjoyed a long association with Oldcastle GFC. He is a club president and a trustee.

Bridget ‘Bridie’ Clinton (Oldcastle)
From a well known Oldcastle family, Bridie’s daughter Ann is heavily involved with the club’s blotto fundraiser.

Mrs Griffin (Moynalty/Oldcastle)
Married to the late Frank Griffin, she has lived in the north Meath town for the past 40 years. Her grandsons played with Oldcastle, one of whom, Frankie Griffin, currently lines out with the club’s junior team.

Peggy Morris (Oldcastle)
One of Peggy’s grandchildren, Damien, a very promising underage footballer, was tragically killed ten years ago. Another grandson, Michael Morris, plays junior and underage with Oldcastle.

Catherine ‘Kitty’ Hand (Oldcastle)
Kitty was the oldest living person in the north Meath town before her death. Her late son Hubert played football with Oldcastle in the 1950s.

Maureen Usher (Oldcastle)
Maureen was involved with the St. Vincent De Paul Hall which was used by the club for many years. Her grandsons Joe and Cathal Usher are current players with Oldcastle.

PF Brady (Munterconnacht/Oldcastle)
Married to Kathy Fox, PF arrived in the town from just over the Cavan border in neighbouring Munterconnacht. He became heavily involved with his adopted club, helping out in a number of capacities, including umpiring at Gerry Reilly tournament games.

Ned Brady (Moylagh/Oldcastle)
Ned was the brother of former Moylagh star Joe Brady, who played senior championship football for Meath during the early 1970s.

Barney Gilsenan (Oldcastle)
From the Ballinvalley area just to the east of the town, bachelor Barney lived to the ripe old age of 87. He was the uncle of former Oldcastle stars Colm, Eoin, Paul and Alan Gilsenan, who backboned the fine Oldcastle team of the late 1980s and 1990s.

Julia Tully (Moynalty/Crossakiel)
Popular Julia reached the grand old age of 97. She lived a very active life and was heavily involved in the ICA and in a number of other local bodies. All her sons were involved in the Kilskyre and Ballinlough clubs. Hugh Tully successfully lined out with both and acted as a selector with Ballinlough. He is also a trustee of Kilskyre HC. Anther son Michael also played with both combinations while Terry and the late Johnny, who died during the 1960s, represented Ballinlough with pride.

Tom O’Keeffe (Kilskyre/Kells)
Toss came from Creevagh, Crossakiel. His family always had close associations with Kilskyre. Toss’ late brother Jimmy played with the club as did Jimmy’s son Michael. Michael’s son James (Toss’ grandnephew) was a regular on the Ballinlough senior team in the year gone.

Patrick Fitzsimons (Ardbraccan)
Pat was tragically killed in an accident. He was a useful footballer during his younger days and played underage with the parish club. His son Adam was an outstanding under 15 player for St. Cuthberts during 2007.

John Farrell (Hayestown)
Although John never played with the club, he became actively involved when using his car to transport children to underage matches. His son Chris Farrell is juvenile secretary of Seneschalstown and a former player. His other sons Tommy, John and the late Matt all played with the club. John remained a great supporter of the Furze club.

Edward ‘Ned’ Fagan
(Clondoogan, Summerhill)
Ned was recognised as one of the top stone masons in Meath. He played with the Rathmolyon club and was corner forward on the Summerhill team which won the 1953 junior championship. Ned was a life long supporter of Summerhill and Meath teams.

Jim Thompson (Garadice, Summerhill)
Jim hailed from a well known family in this part of south Meath. A number of his relatives played with Summerhill and Moynalvey, while his son Seamus was a corner back on the Hill team that claimed Meath senior championship honours in 1986.

Stephen Curran (Galway/Kilmessan)
Stephen was a native of Galway. He was the father of Martin Curran, a former secretary and chairman of the Kilmessan club and who now holds the role of Meath hurling board secretary.

Mary Kate Grimes (Mayo/Kilmessan)
From one of the best known families in Kilmessan, Mayo native Mary Kate was the mother of Tony Grimes, a former player and a prominent committee member of Kilmessan HC. Mary Kate’s daughter Patricia, played senior camogie with the club.

Lorraine Gorman (Kilmessan)
Lorraine was the wife of Ray Gorman, a former player and chairman of Kilmessan hurling club.

Stephen Harding (Liscartan, Navan)
Stephen, who died at a young age, was a member of the Harding family who backboned Slane GAA for decades. His father Sean played underage and junior B football for the club.

Tommy McGuinness (Navan)
Tommy was a native of Duleek but spent all his married life in Navan until he died at the advanced age of 87. With his wife Mary, he gave great encouragement to the members of his family to get involved in sport and all of them played hurling or football with Navan De La Salle and later O’Mahonys. He is grandfather of Cormac who plays football for Meath. His great grandchildren have carried on the tradition and play underage football with O’Mahonys.

Aidan Gorman (Navan)
The passing of Aidan Gorman at a young age caused widespread regret in Navan and the surrounding area. Of pleasant nature, he played football with O’Mahonys in his earlier days and was undoubtedly one of the most popular members attached to the staff of the orthopaedic section of Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, where he proved himself to be invaluable in helping patients recuperate following hip and other operations. Aidan was a fluent Irish speaker.

Patsy Reilly (Navan)
Patsy Reilly was a founding member of Navan O’Mahonys and was one of nine men to attend an impromptu meeting in 1948, called by Eddie Duignan and Jack Callaghan, at the house of Peter Hughes at Rathaldron, to examine the feasibility of forming a gaelic football club, later to be known as Navan O’Mahonys gaelic football and hurling club.
He was also a member of O’Mahonys’ first title winning team that won the Meath JFC against Drumree in 1949.
Patsy had a great gra for hurling and was a wonderful exponent of the game. He was a staunch supporter of the Meath team and a regular visitor with a number of his colleagues to Croke Park.

Michael Kavanagh (Navan)
Michael Kavanagh was a regular on various O’Mahonys football teams where he lined out as a defender. The holder of a number of medals, he is credited in the local papers of that time, along with Eanna Giles and Cormac Ward as hammering the St. Vincents Ardcath attack into near ineffectiveness in the 1963 senior football championship final at Pairc Tailteann, which O’Mahonys won 4-6 to 1-2.
All supplied by Navan O’Mahonys

Tommy Gargan (Moynalty/Kildalkey)
A publican by trade, Tommy arrived in Kildalkey at a young age and devoted a lifetime of involvement to the club. He acted as club chairman and was a regular gateman at Fr. Plunkett Park, Kildalkey. Tommy’s three sons Michael, Owen and Geoff all hurled with Kildalkey.

Paddy Kinsella (Beauparc)
Paddy played with the old Lougher club. His sons Pat, Sean, Declan, Stephen and Damien all lined out at underage with St. Marys. His daughter Ann Fitzpatrick is a committee member and one of the leading lights behind the Marys blotto.

Paddy McIntyre (Offaly/Dunboyne)
Paddy was a native of Cloghan, Co. Offaly and came from a family steeped in the GAA tradition. This writer recalls sitting beside Paddy at an All-Ireland hurling final some years ago and the Dunboyne man stating that he was at every All-Ireland senior hurling and football final since 1935. He won a juvenile football medal with Cloghan in 1929, was a member of the Offaly junior football team which won the 1935 Leinster title, Offaly’s first provincial title in any grade of football. Paddy, who moved to Dublin in the mid 1930s, was soon a regular on the Faithful senior football team and a playing member of the famous Dublin club team Sean McDermotts. Every team mate was an inter county player and Paddy McIntyre joined forces with such stars of the day like Eddie Boyle of Louth, Packie Boylan of Cavan, Dublin’s Tommy Banks, Galway’s Mick Connaire and Joe Connor of Offaly. McDermotts won the Dublin senior football title of 1938 and it was in that year that Paddy became only the second Offaly man to win titles in both codes when he helped the county’s junior hurlers win the Leinster championship. At this time he joined the Young Irelands hurling team, winning a senior medal in 1942. By now he had thrown in his lot with the Dublin football team and it was as a Dublin representation that he won a Railway Cup medal in 1944. However, he was soon back in the Offaly colours, performing with distinction and he continued to feature on both teams until he retired in 1948. His son of the same name, Paddy McIntyre, has provided the Dunboyne club with tremendous service over a 20 year span on both hurling and football fronts. Paddy junior was a regular with the Meath senior hurlers for years and was good enough to get on the Royal County senior football team in the mid 1980s. He was right full back on the All-Ireland winning Meath junior team of 1988.

Mary Briody (Ballinacree)
Nee Muldoon, Mary hailed from nearby Moylagh. The Briody family are one of the most respected in this part of north Meath and especially in the business world where they provide large local employment. They are also at the hub of all St. Brigids action, on and off the field since the club was reformed back in the 1960s.
Mary’s grandsons line out at present with Ballinacree, Oldcastle and Ballinlough.
She was a noted camogie player back in the 1930s and 40s and played with her sisters on the Bellaney team. Mary Briody would have been 93 on her next birthday.

James ‘Jimmy’ Lawless
(Dunshaughlin)
Jimmy, who was 90 years of age when he passed away, hailed from nearby Drumree. When attending Warrenstown College back in the 1930s, one of his classmates was the soon to be Meath legend and 1939 All-Ireland final captain Matty Gilsenan. A publican by trade, Jimmy was an avid supporter of Meath football and his Dublin House premises was a very central stopping off place for many Meath supporters going and coming from Croke Park for the last half century.

Paddy Gaynor (Moynalty)
Paddy from Billywood was President of the Moynalty club and was a noted footballer in his younger days, playing well into his 30s.

Kieran Sheerin (Castletown)
Kieran won a minor championship medal with Castletown back in 1961. His sons Barry, Emmet and Martin all played with the club while Barry acted as club chairman. Kieran’s daughters Donna and Sharon also played ladies football with the north Meath club.

Shawn McManus (Castletown)
Shawn’s family were heavily involved with the Castletown club and he was the grandfather to current players Jonathan and Damien Ginnity.

Owen and Maureen Fox (Garlow Cross)
Husband and wife Owen and Maureen Fox died within nine months of each other. Owen, originally from Castletown, came to live in the Garlow Cross area 50 years ago. He was a great follower of the Meath team and never missed a Walterstown game. Maureen (nee Drumm), was the sister of Larry Drumm who was a vital part of the great Meath minor team of 1957 and a Walterstown star for years. She loved football and was one of the main forces behind the landscaping and maintenance of a beautiful piece of ground at what locals refer to as old Garlow Cross. She was renowned for telling stories. It is nice to say that they were amongst the most respected and loved couples in the area.
Brendan Farrelly
Breda Gorman (Navan)
All of Breda’s sons played football, either with the old De la Salle in Navan, O’Mahonys or Simonstown. Sadly one of her sons, Aidan, died later on in the year and is also featured in this section.

Michael Dunne (Kilmessan/Navan)
Michael, who moved to Navan, was an exceptionally talented sportsman in his younger days and captured an under 14 championship medal in 1952 and an under 16 two years later.

Louisa Cecelia Murphy (Navan)
Louisa, (nee Smyth) was the mother in law of former Navan O’Mahonys and Meath great Joe Cassells.

Eric Harding (Lougher)
Eric was a corner forward on the old Lougher team.

Joe Wogan (Beauparc)
Joe was gifted with numerous cures including that of removing warts. He provided this cure to Peter Sullivan of St. Pats during his stint as an excellent minor and under 21 star for the county in the early 1990s. Peter suffered from verrucas. Joe himself played and usually at full back on the Lougher teams of old.

William ‘Bisher’ Flood (Beauparc)
Another ex Lougher player who lined out with the now defunct club in the 1950s and 60s. William also played with St. Marys when the clubs amalgamated in the early 1970s. His favourite position was as a wing back. An employee of Tara Mines, ‘Bisher’ was a keen golfer with Headfort Golf Club.

John Pidgeon (Dowth)
John played with the old Donore club and was chairman of Donore GFC before the joining with nearby Lougher. He also lined out with St. Vincents for a spell and won a Meath junior championship medal with Ardcath in 1948.

Malachy O’Rourke (Leitrim/Skryne)
Malachy hailed from the Aughavas area of Leitrim before moving to Dublin and eventually settling in Skryne during the early 1980s. He won Leitrim senior championship medals with famed Aughavas during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Malachy was on the Leitrim junior football team which claimed the Connacht title in 1941. He later moved to Dublin, played club football in the city and to quote a close relation, “travelled out to Ardcath occasionally to play football with his friend Christo Hand.” Malachy is an uncle of the O’Rourke clan from Skryne and included in a long list of footballing relations are nephews, Fergus O’Rourke, who played for Leitrim, Meath and Connacht and Meath great Colm. Malachy O’Rourke, who lived to the grand old age of 92, has family members involved with the Skryne, Simonstown, St. Michaels and Dunshaughlin clubs.