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Meath Obituaries 2010

John Smith (Fermanagh/Gormanston)
John served with the Irish Defence Forces for over 35 years. His daughter Angela is married to former Meath All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Michael McQuillan. He was the grandfather of Pats players Keith McQuillan, Alan Smith and Conor Martin. John’s wife Una came from nearby Tubbersool and her father Peter Walsh acted as chairman of the old Stamullen club.

Pat Carolan (Athlumney, Navan)
From Kilmainhamwood, Pat was a well known cattle farmer and horse breeder. He was also a vital part of the great Meath side of the late 1940s, early 1950s. Representing his club North Meath, Pat Carolan came on as a substitute as Cavan were beaten in the All-Ireland Final of 1949 when the Sam Maguire trophy came to the plains of Royal Meath for the very first time. He was a Meath minor in 1945 and ‘46 and played in the 1947 Leinster senior decider against Laois. Kerry got the better of the Royals in the All-Ireland semi final and earned the right to take on Cavan in the famous Polo Grounds showdown. In the 1949 provincial final Pat lined out at right full forward as Westmeath were well beaten. The north Meath man made the trip to New York two years later as the locals were beaten by Meath in the National Football League showdown of 1951. Pat Carolan was a substitute on that historic day. The following year he played against Louth in the Leinster decider. In later life Pat came to farm at Kilcarn, just outside Navan. One of his son in laws, Ciaran Barr, was rated the top hurler in Antrim circa 1990 and was honoured with an All Star Award.
Sadly just as the book was going to print, Pat’s wife Helen also passed away.

Marcella Shaffrey (Skryne/Navan)
Nee Tobin, Marcella was a great follower of the Meath football team and rarely missed a match in her younger days.

Patrick Clarke (Longwood)
Patrick, a pioneer all his life, was heavily involved with the FCA and retired with the rank of Lieutenant. He was a proud follower of the Meath team and was honoured to serve as Vice President of Ballivor.
The GAA legacy was passed on to a number of Patrick’s children. His daughter Karen Fox has acted as a efficient secretary of Navan O’Mahonys for the past number of years. Another daughter Martina and her family (the Cordials) are involved with Simonstown. Joan moved to Sligo and her family, the Kearns, are members of the local Shamrock Gaels club.

Jim Carroll (Carrickleck)
Jim was retired from his work as a tradesman with Gypsum. He was a keen Meath GAA supporter with a great interest in politics and history.

Bridie Reilly (Kilskyre/Kiltale)
Bridie was a native of Kilskyre and met her late husband Noel Reilly while working in Killeen Castle. She was very involved in community activities, particularly with Kiltale hurling club, which her husband and family were active in.

Vincent Clusker (Dunshaughlin)
Vincent lived to the grand old age of 85. He played in goals for the Meath minor team in 1942. Vincent also lined out with the Dunshaughlin club and remained an avid follower of the Meath team.

Johnny Heery (Rathbran, Collon/Ardsallagh, Navan)
Johnny, who died on Christmas Day, was part of a great GAA family who, in 1936, moved from near the Louth border at Collon to Ardsallagh, just outside Navan. Attending the local De La Salle school, he was a star under 14 hurler and footballer. Johnny later worked at Readypenny in Louth and won a Wee County minor football championship medal with St. Marys of Ardee in 1943. On returning to live in Navan, the versatile Johnny became a vital component of the great O’Mahonys team of the 1950s and was the proud holder of seven senior championship medals. His brother Seamus was the star left half back when Meath brought the Sam Maguire to the county for the first time in 1949. Seamus was captain of the 1951 combination which went under to Mayo in the All-Ireland decider. Besides being a useful and enthusiastic golfer, Johnny Heery was an outstanding cyclist who represented his country at the sport. Amongst a number of relatives Johnny’s nephew Mick O’Dowd from Skryne, has also played for Meath and has both captained and managed the Tara men to Meath senior championship honours.

Rose Henry (Ballinlough/Kilberry)
Rose lived to the grand old age of 90 and was a member of the well known Gaughran family from Ballinlough. She worked as a nurse in Liverpool during the Second World War and had many stories to relate from that time about German air raids and ‘dog fights’ with the British pilots, recollections which enthralled her children and grandchildren. Rose’s son Larry is heavily involved in the underage section of the Wolfe Tones club. Her brother Gerry Gaughran won Meath senior football honours with Syddan while working in the area during the early 1950s and later proved a very efficient chairman with his local Ballinlough club in the 1970s.

Fr. Seamus Dunican (Ardcath/Rahan, Co. Offaly)
Fr. Seamus was parish priest of Rahan, Co. Offaly when his unexpected death happened last January. He was 71 years of age. Seamus was ordained in 1963 and experienced a very eventful priesthood. At one stage he acted as chaplain to the Defence Forces at Gormanston and while based in Johnstown parish, taught in St. Patricks, Navan. When in Johnstown he both played and managed Walterstown and also served on the club committee. Seamus was the brother of legendary St. Vincents, Ardcath and Meath footballer of the 1950s, early 1960s Mick Dunican.

Bill Moore (Kilkenny/Maynooth)
In his younger days, Bill hurled for his native Kilkenny. On moving to Meath he played with the old Flathouse club. Bill remained a loyal ‘Cat’ to the end and received a copy of the Kilkenny People every week.

May Booth (Navan)
May’s late husband Joe Booth was on the National Executive of the ITGWU movement. He was a very useful goalkeeper and played for the now defunct Parnells club in Navan and later O’Mahonys. May’s family also enjoyed a close association with the Simonstown club. Her son Peter acted as a club sponsor at one stage while a grandson, Kevin Booth, was an outstanding underage footabller.

Una Duignan (Navan)
Nee Matthews, Una was a member of an old and respected Navan family. She opened what was to become a very popular grocery/newsagents business at Abbeylands in the 1970s. Una followed the Meath footballers as they brought the Sam Maguire trophy to the county for the first time in 1949. She never lost her enthusiasm for the county teams and took great pleasure in each of Meath’s subsequent All-Ireland victories. She also kept a close eye on the activities of Navan O’Mahonys.

Mick Higgins (New York/Virginia)
Cavan GAA was plunged into mourning last January when news spread around the county of the death of iconic figure, Mick Higgins (87).
The late, great Mick was the man who captained the Breffni Blues to their last All-Ireland SFC title (1952) and was the only link with the Cavan team that started the famous 1947 All-Ireland SFC final in New York's Polo Grounds.
The former Garda Sergeant was described by Kerry legend Jackie Lyne as the "greatest forward I have ever faced bar none" and tributes from right across the country poured forth, ironically as spring approached on the horizon, spawning new life and growth.
Over the course of a distinguished playing career with Cavan seniors from 1942 to 1953, Higgins garnered thousands of admirers over the course of winning every honour in the game.
After he retired as a player, Mick proceeded to give back to the game a lot of what it had given him for club(s) and county.
His time as a coach and referee was no less outstanding and notable with respect and admiration showered upon him by all parties.
In 1956, he took up a coaching role with Cavan, succeeding the legendary Hughie O'Reilly (Cootehill Celtic) in the hot seat.
True to form, Mick proved to be an outstanding performer in his new role with his native county, guiding Cavan to four Ulster titles in the sixties.
Later he became manager of Longford and steered the Leinster county to their first and only NFL title in 1966 and their first Leinster SFC title two years later.
Mick and Longford went their separate ways and from 1970 to '72 he was part of Donegal's backroom team when they won the Ulster SFC title.
As manager of the Ulster football team, he coached the province to six Railway Cup successes in 1964, '65, '66, '68, '70 and '71.
Mick was born in New York City in 1922, the son of a Kiltimagh (Co. Mayo) father and Kilnaleck-born mother.
His parents had met in New York but less than five years after his birth in 1922, the family returned to Ireland and his mother's birthplace in Kilnaleck.
He didn't play much football 'till he began his secondary education in St. Mary's Marist Brothers Secondary School in Dundalk.
Playing at right-half forward, the would-be Cavan football legend helped his alma mater to MacRory Cup honours in 1938 as a 15 year old.
Ironically, it was in the colours of Kildare minors that the late, great attacker first caught the eye when he lined out with the Lilywhites.
His liaison with the Leinster county was because he went to live with his uncle-in-law in Celbridge for a period of time.
In 1940, just prior to joining the Garda Siochana, Mick starred at midfield as Kildare reached the Leinster MFC final only to lose out to Louth.
Three years later, he made his debut with Cavan, coming on as a sub in the Ulster junior final tilt with Monaghan.
Just a few months later, Mick was promoted to senior county ranks and he would remain an integral part of the county's premier squad until the end of the 1953 championship campaign at the age of 31.
"I felt that the next place for me would be on the subs bench and I thought it was an appropriate time to step down," Mick declared.
Of all the games he played with the Breffni blues, his starring role in Cavan's magical 1947 final was the stand-out match in his career.
His superb 1-2 tally in the famous '47 All-Ireland SFC final victory (2-11 to 2-7) over Kerry at New York's Polo Grounds final ensured his hero status.
He was again a match-winning performer at centre-half forward in Cavan's first NFL title win in 1948 when the Blues overcame Cork by 5-9 to 2-8.
One month earlier, Cavan had retained the Sam Maguire Cup thanks to their 4-5 to 4-4 triumph over Mayo with Higgins caught up in a controversial incident at the death.
Mayo's star forward Padraic Carney had a chance to rifle over a 14 yard free at the death to level the match but his kick was charged down by Higgins and moments later the final whistle sounded.
Mayo fans who witnessed the incident still maintain Higgins was too near the ball when Carney made contact with the ball.
Higgins was the hero though for the Cavan hordes and he would remain so right up until his peaceful death at his home in Virginia.
All told, the famed Cavan player won Celtic Crosses of 1947, '48 and '52 (when he scored seven points in the final against Meath) and also collected seven Ulster SFC medals (1943, '44, '45, '47, '48, '49 and '52).
In addition, he won three Dr. McKenna Cup medals (1943, '51, '52), two Railway Cup medals (1947 and '50), three Ireland v Combined Universities in 1950, '51 and '52 and two Cavan SFC medals with Bailieboro and Mountnugent into the bargain as well as SFC medals also in Meath and Louth.
Mick had a real soft spot for Meath football. His wife Margaret (Mag) is a native of Staholmog and two of his daughters, Jean Bradley (Drumree) and Breda Tully (Trim), reside in the county. Amongst his team mates on that that successful MacRory Cup team was budding Meath star Paddy Meegan. On joining the Gardai Mick was stationed at George’s Cross near Wilkinstown from 1945 to 1947. There he met his wife Margaret O’Connell. He is the uncle of Martin O’Connell, a three time All-Ireland medal winner with Meath and Team of the Millennium left half back. Mick Higgins was also a very successful greyhound trainer and was a regular visitor to the old Navan track.
A man blessed with a great football brain, he was a born leader and his amiable personality and ready wit made him a favourite with the press and fans alike.
Recalling the events of his most famous innings with Cavan when he helped them to victory in New York, Higgins always joked that he was the only ever Gaelic footballer born in New York to win an All-Ireland SFC medal in New York!
However much he liked to reminisce on the historic match in the Big Apple, he maintained that Cavan's penultimate round win over Roscommon was the more impressive.
"Our performance against Roscommon at Croke Park was the best one we put in that year," the popular greyhound trainer remarked in an interview not long before his death.
"We were two evenly matched teams and it was a close contest.
"They went into the game as favourites because they had beaten us the year before when they had much the same team that won the All-Irelands in '43 and '44.
"They had won the All-Ireland minor too in 1942 so they had a lot of very good footballers at their disposal around the mid-forties."
The late, great Mick Higgins was voted Sports Star of the Week by the Irish Independent on the 17th October 1952 and later was nominated Player of the Year after Meath were beaten in the All-Ireland replay.
He was described at that time by the Sunday Press as a "scheming genius who could rally his side when least expected, turning defeat into victory."

Bernadette McCabe (Beauparc)
Known locally as Detta, Bernadette was a member of the Sheridan family of Dollardstown. She was also the matriarch of a great Seneschalstown GAA clan. All her sons wore the colours of ‘The Furze’ with pride. Mattie McCabe won All-Ireland senior medals in 1987 and ‘88. Bernadette was the wife of the late Michael McCabe, who passed away in 1998.

Kieran Johnson (Dunshaughlin)
Kieran was 82 years of age at the time of his death and was affectionately known as ‘The Guy’. He lined out for Skryne in the Meath senior football championship finals of 1951 and 1952. Kieran was a noted dual player and played hurling for Oberstown, Ratoath and St. Patricks, a combination of Oberstown, Ratoath, Kilmessan, Kiltale and Dunshaughlin and won a senior championship medal with the club in 1953.
Eileen Gaynor (Ballinlough)
Nee Sheridan, Eileen was the wife of the late Nicholas Gaynor, who played for both Ballinlough and Meath selections. Her sons, Paul and the late Kevin, also played underage with the north Meath club.

Margaret Fitzgerald (Crossakiel)
Margaret’s husband Pat is very active within the Ballinlough club and has served as a player, committee member and mentor. Their sons Gene and Rory played at junior and underage and have kept the family tradition alive.

Peter Moore (Ballinabrackey/Tullamore)
The death took place of former Meath All-Ireland medal winner Peter Moore last March.
Peter hailed from the Ballinabrackey club, located along the Offaly border, with Rhode GAA club acting as neighbours in the Faithful County.
He was a substitute on the Meath squad which romped to All-Ireland minor honours in 1957. By the mid 1960s, the tall gangling Moore had made one of the midfield berths on the Royal County fifteen his very own property. Peter Moore made his inter county debut in an NFL clash against Leitrim. His immediate opponent was Connacht Railway Cup star Fergus O’Rourke, a brother of Colm’s and who would later play for Meath himself.
In the All-Ireland senior decider of 1966 and alongside centre-field partner Tom Brown (a man who had also lined out for Laois and Leinster) Peter and his team-mates suffered a 1-10 to 0-7 defeat to Galway. Although the Tribesmen were going for a three in-a-row, Meath were classed as warm favourites entering the match.
However, there was compensation for Peter and his Royal friends the following September when Meath won their first senior title for 13 years.
Moore played his part at midfield and it was his starting partner Terry Kearns who, after switching to full forward, scored the game’s only goal midway through the second half. Cork were beaten 1-9 to 0-9.
The 3-14 to 1-14 semi-final victory over Mayo that year placed the Ballinabrackey man in Meath GAA folklore.
Semi-finals were televised in those by-gone days of Black and White. On this August Sunday, and with the Connacht champions leading, RTE went off the air for something of around ten minutes. Unknown to viewers in that time, Moore went centre half forward in a direct switch with Matty Kerrigan. Peter went on to score two goals during that spell, one from about 40 yards out.
Other scores flowed too in this period of RTE inactivity and when viewing resumed Meath had turned around a 0-13 to 1-9 deficit into a commanding 3-14 to 0-13 advantage. A young Mayo side, inspired by Joe Corcoran, made a late recovery.
As All-Ireland champions, Meath became the first county team to tour Australia the following Spring and playing a brand something akin to the present-day Rules Series, beat the locals on five different occasions over the course of 14 days.
Such was his prowess with the new rules that Peter Moore was voted Player of the Series.
Peter, who gained Leinster senior championship honours in 1964, ‘66, ‘67 and ‘70, retired from the inter county scene in 1970 after a game against Derry in the Grounds Tournament which was held in Wembley.
On the club front, Peter Moore served Ballinabrackey with distinction. He was captain when Dunsany were beaten in the 1972 junior championship final.
Peter's work schedule with Bord na Mona saw the Moore family live in Screggan, about five miles south of Tullamore in County Offaly. There he became heavily involved with the local St. Carthages of Rahan club, which later merged with nearby Mucklagh and are nowadays known as Shamrocks.
The Bracks man was particularly at home, coaching various underage selections and managed the Offaly under 21 side to Leinster provincial honours in 1995. Stars of that team included Cathal Daly and Ciaran McManus.
Peter is the first member of that starting 1967 Meath team to pass on to pastures greener.

Mollie Smith (Dunsany)
Aged 93, Mollie, nee Flynn lived a long and eventful life. As a five year old girl she could recall the Black and Tans raiding her house, looking for guns. Mollie’s family were always heavily involved with Dunsany GFC and over the years her sons gave terrific service, on and off the field of play, to the men in Red. On the occasion of her 90th birthday in 2006, she was made an honourary president of Dunsany GFC, in recognition of both her and her family’s contribution to the club. Mollie’s late husband Christy and her mother Kate, who died at the age of 97 in 1988, also held this role.

Pat Geraghty (Kilcock/Navan)
A native of Kildare, Pat opened the very popular Royal Meath pub, Navan in 1968. Along with his late wife Kay, they proved excellent hosts until retiring in 1995. Pat was the father in law of former O’Mahonys star Ruairi O’Coileain. His grandson Ruairi Og has played underage for Meath while granddaughter Katie was a star player with this year’s successful Kilmessan camogie team.

Nora Whelan (Summerhill/Bective)
Nora, nee Kelly, from Galtrim, Summerhill, lived to the grand old age of 88. Her late husband Paddy was a founder member of Bective GFC and following his death in 1994, she was made Honorary President of the club. A guard of honour was provided by members of Kilmessan hurling club and Bective GFC at the funeral mass in Kilmessan. Many of Nora’s relations are involved in GAA affairs. Included are Rathmolyon hurling club’s most efficient secretary Niamh Regan.

John O’Connell (Athlone/Navan)
A native of Athlone, John came to work in Navan during the early 1960s. His son Peter played with Simonstown, while a number of John’s grandsons have lined out with St. Cuthberts and Rathkenny in recent years.

Joan Foley (Mayo/Dunshaughlin)
Joan, nee Kelly, hailed from famed Kilkelly in Mayo. She commenced teaching in Culmullen National School in 1968, moved to nearby Dunshaughlin three years later and remained there until her retirement in 2002. Joan was very proud that all members of the Dunshaughlin three-in-a-row Meath senior football championship winning side were past pupils.

Breda Byrne (Navan)
Breda was a member of the well known McEvoy family from Navan. An accomplished musician, her sons Bill and Michael starred in the Simonstown colours. Michael played county minor and was to the fore as the Navan club emerged from the junior ranks to become one of the top clubs in the county.

Bridget Kiernan (Castletown/Staholmog)
Bridget was a member of the Duffy family from Castletown and lived to the grand old age of 96. During her youth, she was a talented camogie player.

Nicholas Carpenter (Grangegeeth/Australia)
Nicholas had lived in Brisbane for nearly 40 years and died in late April on a trip home to Grangegeeth. He was 59 years of age. Nicholas loved gaelic football and while in Australia, he was the president and vice president of the Queensland Gaelic Football Association. He also acted as vice president of the Australasian GAA on different occasions over many years. Both local clubs Rathkenny and Mattock Rangers formed a guard of honour at his funeral.

Matthew ‘Mattie’ McCabe (Meath Hill/England)
Mattie was aged 71 and the eldest of a family of 12. He was a member of the Meath squad which gained All-Ireland honours in 1957. The following year Matthew emigrated to England where he worked as a civil engineering contractor and later as a publican. Mattie played with Meath Hill before emigrating. His brother Liam is also a former player and nowadays a committee member.

William ‘Willie’ Smyth (Castletown)
Willie was 85 at the time of his death. An outstanding footballer in his younger days, he was part of the All-Ireland winning Meath junior squad of 1947. His family have provided tremendous service to the Castletown club for decades. Foremost in this sector were sons Paddy, who also acted as a referee, and Colm. Willie was Honorary President of Castletown GFC at the time of his passing.

Mick Greally (Galway/Trim/Blanchardstown)
Mick was a native of Ballygar and figured at left half back on the Galway team which beat Cork 2-13 to 3-7 in the All-Ireland football decider of 1956. Two years later he lined out in the number four jersey as the Tribesmen were overcome by Kerry in the All-Ireland decider. Mick figured on the winning Connacht Railway Cup team of 1958 and earlier gained Connacht senior college medals as a boarder with Summerhill College, Sligo in 1954 and 1955. He came to work with An Foras Taluntais, which is now Teagasc Grange. The Ballygar man at first lived at Lambertstown, Kilcarty before moving to Trim. Mick immediately became involved with a star studded town fifteen which included future Meath All-Ireland winning captain Peter Darby, Connacht Railway Cup team mate John Nallen and Leinster Railway Cup full back Jim Ryan, who had just arrived from Ballinlough. Ironically, Trim won their only senior football championship in 1962 and Ballinlough, with Jim Ryan’s brothers heavily involved, were their opponents. By all accounts Mick Greally had a fine game at right half forward. In an anniversary function for the 1962 team in recent years, Mick returned to Trim and was proud to hear that he was the extra ingredient needed to push the club to its county final victory.

Andy Gillick (Tullamore/Navan)
A former Garda and a native of Tullamore, Andy was an outstanding footballer and gained a Meath senior football championship medal with Navan O’Mahonys in 1981 when Skryne were beaten in the final. He later moved to town rivals Simonstown. Andy’s sons Keith, Alan and Andrew all played underage with O’Mahonys.

Geraldine O’Flynn (Kilcarn)
Geraldine, nee McLoughlin, was a member of the well known Walterstown GAA family. Her brothers were a vital part of the great Walterstown team of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Geraldine’s late father Loey filled a number of administrative roles for the Blacks, including that of chairman. Her husband Des O’Flynn is a former president of Navan Rugby Club.

Edward ‘Ned’ Costello (Kiltale)
Ned was 87 years of age when he passed away and worked in nearby Teagasc. He was still involved in the community up until a couple of weeks before his death. A real GAA enthusiast, Ned was honourary president of Kiltale GAA club at the time of his passing. The club (along with the staff of Teagasc) formed a guard of honour as his funeral.
Kevin Halpin

(Ballyjamesduff/Oldcastle)
Kevin was born in Denn, just north of Ballyjamesduff in Cavan and came to Oldcastle at a young age. He was 88 when he passed away. Kevin was a life long member of Oldcastle GFC and was a regular on the north Meath club’s panel between 1938 and 1948, an era generally recognised as the golden age of Oldcastle football.
Jim Dargan (Ballivor)
Ballivor man ‘true and true’, Jim was heavily involved in many local associations. He farmed cattle and sheep but he had a particular love of horses, and produced some top class showjumpers over the years, most notably Coolronan, who was on the three time Aga Khan Trophy winning team in the late 1970s, ridden by Captain Con Power.
Jim Dargan sat on the IFA National Horse Committee. He was probably best known as the chairman of the Ballivor Horse Show for the past 40 years.
Jim was also regarded as a prolific footballer and hurler. He won an intermediate football title with Ballivor in 1948 and intermediate and junior hurling awards with Boardsmill, Longwood and Killyon. As a player he took no prisoners. After the Feis Cup victory in 1950, when there were five Ballivor players on the Meath panel, it was Jim Dargan, Paddy ‘Stonewall’ Dixon and Aidan Foran who kept up the pace. His prowess on the field is immortalised in John Quinn’s book ‘Goodnight Ballivor, I’ll Sleep in Trim’, and in Tom Kiernan’s song about the 1948 Ballivor team. John Quinn also wrote a poem to the memory of his childhood hero.
Jim was instrumental in the development of the new Ballivor school, creche and GAA grounds, along with his fellow trustees of the cowplot, Colm Walsh and the late Paddy Dixon. His association with schools goes back to when his mother came from Clare to teach in Coolronan.
He was a director of the Credit Union and a peace commissioner, like his father. Jim was a Meath County Councillor when younger and never swayed from his Fianna Fail allegiance.
He loved Ballivor and Meath and worked throughout his life to help his local community.

Billy Melia (Rathmolyon)
Billy was heavily involved in the music world and played the drums with the Gold and Silver band. In 2008 the band, which specialised in old time dance music, performed for President Mary McAleese at Aras an Uachtaran.
A big Meath supporter, he followed the Royals to many a league and championship game. In his younger days Bill played hurling and football with both Trim and Rathmolyon.

Nancy Finnerty (Skryne)
Nee Connell, Nancy was the matriarch of a famous Skryne GAA family. Her late husband Jim was heavily involved in Skryne GAA affairs and their sons pulled on both the royal blue of Skryne and their county’s green and gold with pride and performed with distinction.

Bridie Miller (Navan)
Bridie was a native of the St. Mary’s Park area of the town and was 86 years of age when she passed away. Nee Clarke, her parents ran a greengrocers on Watergate Street for many years. She was predeceased by her husband Denis in 1995. Bridie’s son Evan, who is popularly known as Geoff, was a terrific underage mentor with Simonstown for many years. Geoff’s son, David, was a member of the Meath under 14 squad in 2005.

Ben White (Ashbourne)
Aged 83, Ben acted as a stud groom for over 40 years at Rath Stud. An avid Meath supporter, he attended all of the Royal County’s seven All-Ireland Final victories.

Larry Allen (Navan)
A native of Bridge Street, Larry was one of Navan’s best known characters. He possessed an encyclopaedic mind of gaelic games of the past.

Jack Gerrard (Navan/Skryne/Melbourne)
The death occurred in Melbourne, Australia of Jack Gerrard, who was a member of Skryne’s senior football championship winning team of 1954. Jack emigrated shortly after taking part in that victory over Kells Harps in which he played at full forward. Skryne won by 1-5 to 0-4.
He was a Navan native, where his family ran a grocery and provision business on Watergate Street. Later the family moved to the Hill of Skryne. A young Jack Gerrard had played with the O’Growneys, De La Salle and Hogg Stars before achieving county minor honours in 1951.
Hoggs Stars was a minor team based at the Hoggs Factory in Navan. During 1952, he scored four goals in a Leinster minor championship game against Louth.
In the 1954 final, Jack, along with his fellow Skryne full forwards Ernest Kenny and Sean O’Brien, were described as ‘dangerous full forwards’ in the Meath Chronicle report, and he concluded the scoring with a well taken point.
The captain of the Skryne team was Tom O’Brien and the side included a number of players from that year’s All-Ireland winning Meath team, including the O’Briens and Brian Smyth.
Jack Gerrard’s playing career with Skryne ended in 1955, when Navan O’Mahonys defeated Skryne in the Feis Cup replay. Shortly afterwards, he headed to England for two years, then on to Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria. There, he met his wife, Nanette, the daughter of an Irish couple, and they had three children.
Jack Gerrard’s brother Tom, was a member of the Irish cycling team controversially excluded from participating in the road cycle race in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, where athlete Ronnie Delany won his gold medal in the 1,500 metres.
Jack came back to Skryne in 1995, for his first return home since departing decades earlier. He had always kept in touch with the Meath football team and his first stop was to see Meath playing. His friends, including Jim Farnan and Sean Smith, organised a reunion of old Skryne team mates in Fox’s Lounge on the Hill of Skryne and a commemorative presentation was made to him. He stayed with his cousins, the Tullys of the Drogheda coal merchant family, and enjoyed visiting the Meath team training sessions at Dalgan Park.
Deceased remained in touch with Skryne and Ireland and when the Irish GAA team was playing Australia Rules he always made sure to go along and meet local players like John McDermott and Trevor Giles. He was also a great horse racing follower and kept friends in Skryne up to date on the Melbourne Cup.

Brigid Brady (Batterstown)
Brigid lived to the remarkable age of 93 years and was affectionately known as ‘Mother Brady’. She lived in Batterstown all of her life and was an avid follower of all local clubs and the Meath county teams.

Nuala Wall (Johnstown)
Nuala was a member of the well known Mangan family from Dunshaughlin. Her sons Noel, Martin and Paul have strong connections with the Walterstown, Simonstown and Bective clubs.

Kevin Regan (Ballivor/Trim)
Kevin was a native of Muchwood, Ballivor, a wood machinist by trade and a big follower of the Meath team.

Patrick ‘Pat’ Jennings (Galway/Dunshaughlin)
A native of Clonbur, County Galway, Pat moved to Dunshaughlin in 1952. He continued to farm right into his eighties and was the father of the well known Dunshaughlin GAA twins Pat and John Jennings. Pat was goalkeeper on the 1972 Meath Leinster minor championship winning combination. With his brother John at midfield, both were regular fixtures on a solid Dunshaughlin combination for years. Pat later moved to the Robinstown area outside Navan and his son David, besides lining out for Dunderry, is a well known local sports journalist.
Pat Jennings senior is also the father-in-law of Mick O’Keeffe, Waltertown’s efficient secretary.

Joe Lynagh (Rathmore/Navan)
Joe was a big follower of the Meath team. A number of his nephews have played with both St. Ultans and Simonstown. Joe was the father in law of Niall Reynolds, a well known local businessman and a member of the famous Walterstown GAA family.

Margaret ‘Peggy’ Plunkett (Carnaross)
Peggy was a loved member of the well known Carnaross family. Her brothers are involved in local GAA affairs with Malachy Plunkett one of the huge driving forces behind Carnaross GFC for decades.

Michael Joseph Clerkin (Tierworker/London)
Michael was left half back on the Meath team of all talents which swept to All-Ireland minor glory in 1957. His passing was remembered with a minute’s silence before the recent Meath senior football championship decider featuring Skryne and Seneschalstown. Michael, who died in London, played with all the underage teams in the parish and later adult football with Moynalty under the astute eye of Fr. Packie Tully, then parish priest of the north Meath parish. Shortly after that All-Ireland victory, he emigrated to London and played football with the Fintan Lawlers club. Described as a devoted husband and father, Michael was heavily involved in local affairs in his adopted Brentford.

John Vesey (Navan)
John was one of the founding members of the Eastern and subsequently the Southern Motor Cycle Unit of the Irish Army during the Second World War. He lived to the grand old age of 95 years. His grandsons Barry and Kenny McAuley played with Simonstown.

Colm Rooney (Mayo/Kilskyre/Monaghan)
Colm died in December 2009, exactly a year after his illness was diagnosed. He was 57 years of age. As a Custom and Revenue Officer, he spent most of his life in Monaghan. Previously, following the death of his father, he came to reside in Kilskyre, where his family connections were in 1964. He became and remained a huge Meath supporter for the rest of his life.

Mickey Crosby (Drumconrath)
Mickey was a musician of note and a founder member of the Crosby Bros dance band. He had the unusual distinction of lining out with both parish clubs, Drumconrath and Meath Hill and captained Drumconrath to their famous Meath junior football championship success of 1963.
An excellent athlete in his younger days, he also played his football with the old Shale Bricks side. Both Meath Hill and Drumconrath clubs provided a guard of honour as Mickey was laid to rest in Drumconrath cemetery.

Kathleen Mahon (Kilmainham)
Kathleen Mahon was a great supporter of Kilmainham GFC. Her sons Seamus, RIP, Philip and Joseph all played for Kilmainham and until her death, Kathleen got great satisfaction watching her grandsons Joseph, Seanie, Philip and Michael play for the club.

Lily Newman (Kilmainham)
Lily was a great Meath and Kilmainham supporter. She never missed a game when her sons Paddy and Willie played for the club. Her son Willie is now Chairman of Gaeil Colmcille hurling and football club.
Both obituaries supplied by Declan Black and Kilmainham GFC

James McDonald (Drumconrath)
James McDonald, a young man in his late 20s, played with Drumconrath at underage. His father Kevin played with our club and was involved as committee member, coach and selector over the years.

Thomas Marry (Drumconrath)
Thomas Marry, while involved with numerous organisations in Drumconrath, hailed from the Nobber parish and his sons Paddy (a Meath minor) and Tommy both played with Nobber. His grandsons Alan, Stephen, Conor and Cathal all lined out with Drumconrath/Meath Hill.

Eamonn Cassidy (Drumconrath)
Eamonn won medals with Kilmainhamwood in his youth and his sons Thomas, Michael, Philip and Fergal played with Drumconrath while his grandson Edward currently lines out with Drumconrath/Meath Hill.

Francis McEvoy (Drumconrath)
Francis was a native of Louth. His son Vincent played with Drumconrath for many years, while at present his grandsons Peter, Alan, Colm and Cathal all play with Drumconrath at adult and underage.
Peter O’Halloran and Drumconrath GFC

Frank O’Connor
Husband of Kathleen, a member of the Watters family which has a long involvement with St. Peter’s club. Frank was father of Tommy, who has represented Dunboyne, Meath and Ireland at under 17 level with distinction. His other son, Johnny, is a former Meath hurler, while daughters Evelyn (McGovern) and Margaret are leading figures in St. Peter’s camogie club. Frank was our club’s resident Quiz Master.

Kathleen Brennan
Wife of former Dublin and Dunboyne hurler Colm. Mother to Dunboyne’s Senior Footballer of the Year 2009 Colm Jnr. Her daughter Orla is an Irish ladies rugby international.

Nuala Brady
Wife of former club chairman Oliver, Nuala was also involved on club committees for many years and her sons Mark and Paul have both played for the club.

Kathleen Geraghty
Wife of former St. Peter’s dual player Noel, her sons and grandson have also played for the club.

James ‘Seamus’ Lynch
Seamus, along with his wife Rita, served on club committees over a long period of time and was particularly involved in the running of weekly bingo. His son, Eoghan, was a valued member of Sean Boylan’s backroom team for many years and his daughter Teresa plays in goal for the club’s senior camogie team. A number of Seamus’ grandchildren have played for Dunboyne and Meath.
Seamus, a native of Dunshaughlin, was a long time member and committee member of St. Peters GAA club. He was the Clubman of the Year winner in 1993 and a Hall of Fame recipient in 2004.

Frances Hanway
Frances died in January 2010, her sons have been supporters and benefactors to St. Peter’s for decades.

Marie Kelly
Nee Kane, Marie was the wife of Club President Pat ‘Spoggy’ Kelly. Her sons, Martin and Stephen are both former players with the club.

Margaret ‘Ciss’ Watters
Wife of former club chairman and Meath goalkeeper Paddy (PM). Her son Paddy also played in goal for the club and his son Philip, currently lines out at underage level.

Catherine Watters
Her son, Darryl, and many of her nephews have played with St. Peter’s.
Our thanks to Brendan McNamee and St. Peter’s GAA club, Dunboyne for the above obituaries.

Michael Smith (Kilbeg/Kilmainhamwood)
Gaels in Kilmainhamwood and Kilbeg were saddened by the news of the death of Michael Smith. Affectionately known as ‘Mickey the Gunner’, he was a popular and well known character in the area. His football career started with the Kilbeg club where he was both a player and club official. He was also a keen runner and competed in many road and cross country events. The annual road race from Kingscourt to Kilmainhamwood, which took place on the eve of the Kilmainhamwood Carnival, would always find Mickey Smith among the medal winners. When he settled in No. 6, Farrelly Avenue, he immediately became involved in coaching underage football and along with a great group of parents and mentors, saw many of his pupils go on to major successes in Meath club football in the white and blue of the ‘Wood. A dedicated family man, his daughters Olivia, Teresa, Noreen, Jennifer and Evelyne were his great pride and joy and at all times the apple of his eye.
His removal from his residence to Kilmainhamwood church was flanked by a guard of honour from Kilmainhamwood football club and attended by a large group of friends and relations.
Kilmainhamwood GFC

Frank Murphy (Ashbourne)
Frank Murphy, 9 Mile Stone, Ashbourne, who died aged 90 years, was a son of the late Agnes and Frank senior, and was a native of Ashbourne. He passed away at his residence on the 21st March 2010. Frank carried out farm work locally, and later worked for Bambury’s Bookmakers in Ashbourne. He was a well known figure in both racing and GAA circles, having played both football and hurling with Donaghmore and won medals at minor, intermediate and senior level, as well as a Feis Cup medal, between the years 1938-1950.
Frank is survived by his sisters Anne and Patricia and Una O’Reilly - Ashbourne, his nephew Fiachra O’Reilly and his wife Wendy - Duleek, relatives, neighbours and friends.
The funeral took place in St. Patrick’s Church, Donaghmore, with burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA

Rathkenny GFC wish to extend their deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the following:
Francis Connolly (Wilkinstown)
Frank was an uncle of Raymond Connolly, present vice chairperson and lifelong member of Rathkenny GFC.

Johnny Heery (Navan)
Brother of Rathkenny legend and All-Ireland winner Seamie Heery.

Henry Byrne (Lobinstown)
Father in law of current Rathkenny player John Curtis.

Bernadette (Detta) McCabe (Beauparc)
Bernadette has sons Charlie and Frankie McCabe in Rathkenny.

John Goodwin (Drumconrath)
Brother Pat Goodwin played for many years with Rathkenny and won a junior championship in 1984.

Philip Kavanagh (Slane)
Nephew Jack Dixon is a well known gael and member of Rathkenny GfC.

Laura McMahon (nee Gargan) (Rochestown)
Mother of Rathkenny gaels Philip, Thomas and Jack McMahon.

Tommy Wogan (Gernonstown)
A well known gael from Rathkenny.

Peter McGuinness
Peter had family connections in Rathkenny.

Julie Cogan (nee Lynch) (Wilkinstown)
A well known gael from Rathkenny.

Veronica (Nan) Nulty (nee Balfe) (Slane)
Veronica’s grandson Denis plays with Rathkenny GFC.

John McQuail (Lobinstown)
John was the father of Johnny McQuail from Rathkenny.

Tony Wall (Creewood)
Member of well known Rathkenny family.

Matty Carry (College Hill)
Mother of Val, Dermot and Mary (Elliott).

Martin Blake (Wilkinstown)
Martin’s brother Bruce is a member of Rathkenny GFC.

Jodie Reilly (Rathkenny)
Jodie played for Rathkenny in the 1960s and was a proud Rathkenny gael.

Margaret Plunkett (Carnaross)
Margaret’s sister Catherine (Crosbie) is a member of Rathkenny GFC.

Molly Smith (nee Carolan) (Nobber)
Mother of well known Rathkenny gael Marion Devin.

Patrick Hoey (Wilkinstown)
Patrick was the father of well known Rathkenny publican Corby.

Fr. Gerry Stanley (Rathkenny)
Fr. Stanley was Parish Priest of Rathkenny until his retirement in September 2010. He was also President of Rathkeny GFC.
Rathkenny GFC

Joe ‘Joey’ Kerr (Dunmoe)
Joey Kerr was well known in the Navan area, having worked as a butcher for many years, initially in Lorenzen’s on Watergate Street, then with Pat Smyth in Navan Shopping Centre and latterly in Gleesons, also in Navan Shopping Centre. He also worked in Navan Carpets.
Joey was an avid Meath supporter and attended all their games. He was always a great Simonstown supporter and went to all matches from senior club games right down to juveniles. Both his sons Dermot and Billy played juvenile and adult football with Simonstown. Billy was one of the best club forwards in the junior ranks during the early 1980s. Joe was always a great club worker and in latter years would help out selling envelopes to promote the club lotto. He attended the club bingo every Thursday evening and would always help out with the checking of lotto numbers after our lotto draw.
In October 2000 his hard work with Simonstown was recognised by the Meath County Board when he was awarded a Sean Gael Award. The Sean Gael scheme was devised by the GAA to honour people who had given years of service to their club and Joey fitted the bill perfectly and was nominated as Simonstown’s recipient for the first year of the scheme.
Joey’s other interest was fishing and he was often seen fishing his beloved River Boyne. He was a hard worker all his life and only gave up work last Christmas at the age of 84. Joey was predeceased by his wife Mary in 1994 and is survived by his sons Dermot and Billy, daughters Noeline and Liz, brother Jamesie, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sisters in law, brothers in law and other relatives.
Ar dheis do go raibh ainm.
Simonstown GFC

Peter Finnegan (Moynalty)
Peter had the distinction of serving two clubs. Firstly, as a player and administrator with Cormeen. Peter was also closely associated with Moynalty as Chairman in 1984 and later as a junior selector.
Moynalty GFC

John Cahill snr (Carnaross)
John was a good supporter of Carnaross and contributor to fundraising events within the club. His son John Jnr., is a former club secretary and his grandson Philip Ward is a current player with Gaeil Colmcille.

Brigid Daniel (Carnaross)
Brigid, who died in her 107th year, was Meath’s oldest resident at the time. She was well-known and popular in the Carnaross and Kells areas.

Maureen Ward (Carnaross)
Maureen, who was a club president at the time of her death, was a great football supporter who attended all games and functions.

Noel Watters (Carnaross)
Noel was a former underage player with Carnaross.
Carnaross GFC

Jean Monaghan (Kildalkey)
Jean was the mother of Kildalkey club secretary Anthony Monaghan.
Nicholas Harmon (Kildalkey)
Nicholas lived in England. His brothers Billy and Michael played for the club while his nephew Brendan Harmon is the present Kildalkey chairman.
Martin Heavey (Kildalkey)
Martin was an uncle of present Kildalkey player Sean Heavey.
Our thanks to Kildalkey HC for the obituaries included.

Bridget Moran (Drumsna, Co. Roscommon)
Mother of Art Hughes.
Judy Donoghue
Aunt of Patsy Farrell.
Patricia Murphy
Grandmother of Kevin and Sean Farrell.
Anne Boylan
Wife of former treasurer Shay Boylan.
Pauline Curry
Sister of honourary president Tommy Manning.
Vinny Lynch
Wife of the late Packy Lynch, a former committee member and selector.
Kilbride GFC

Jim Heeney (Duleek)
Jim won a juvenile championship in 1936. He played with the Duleek senior team, winning the Feis Cup in 1942 and 1943. Jim was also on the Duleek senior team which won the 1943 Meath senior championship and was an Honorary President of Duleek/Bellewstown GFC.
Jim served in the P.D.F. during the emergency 1939-1945 with distinction. He joined Slane Branch O.N.E.T. in the ‘80s and was held in high esteem by all the members and will be sadly missed. He served as president of the Leinster Area council during the ‘90s. He gave his time recruiting members for the Slane Branch of O.N.E.T.
We send our sympathies to his wife Margaret (Peggy), daughters Jacinta, Mary and Brenda, his sons in law, grandchildren, brothers, sisters and extended family. Ar dheis De go Raibh a anam.

Peter Farrell (Bellewstown)
Peter, a native of Drogheda where he was involved with the Oliver Plunkett’s club, came to live in Bellewstown in 1972. He immediately became immersed with the local club and served as chairman for many years. A loyal supporter of his native county (Louth), he died suddenly in the week before this year’s Leinster Final.

Seamus O’Neill (Bellewstown)
Bellewstown lost one of its oldest citizens in October when Seamus passed away after a long illness. He played football with Bellewstown teams in the forties and while working in Drogheda, he turned out for the Wolfe Tones. Seamus was a lifelong pioneer and a valued member of the Bellewstown Heritage Group.

Jim Ludlow (Bellewstown)
Jim passed away after a brief illness in September. He is survived by his wife Christina (Teeney), sons James and Edward, daughter Sinead, brothers Willie and John, sister Jean and grandchildren. He was a grandson of Billy Sherry who won three All-Ireland medals with Dublin in 1898, 1899 and 1902.
Jim played his underage football with Duleek but on moving to work in Whyte’s of Stamullen, he started to line out with St. Pats. During a long career he generally wore the no 5 shirt and in 1963 he won a Meath intermediate championship medal. When the Bellewstown club reformed in 1966 he came back and played for a couple of years with the Hillside club.
Jim started to work as a barman in Whyte’s of Stamullen and continued to work as a sales man in the drinks industry, where he was known the length and breadth of counties Louth, Meath and north county Dublin. Though working in the drinks industry his entire career he was a lifelong pioneer.
He was a founder member of Bellewstown pitch and putt club and also Bellewstown Heritage Group.
Jim was a loyal Meath supporter down through the years, often travelling to all parts of the country for league games with an entourage of Stamullen and Bellewstown supporters in Whyte’s van. In his latter years he liked to keep in touch with the results of St. Pats and Duleek/Bellewstown games.
Our thanks to Duleek/Bellewstown for the obituaries included.

Joseph McNamee (Clonmore)
Joe played minor football with Ballinabrackey GAA in the 1950s and was a strong follower of Ballinabrackey down through the years. To his family, relatives and friends, we extend our deepest sympathy. Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam.
Ballinabrackey GFC

Alice ‘Dolly’ White (Stamullen)
Nee Gough, Dolly’s brothers played with the club. Her sister in law Kathleen Gough is involved with the Pats and sells the club lotto.

Jimmy Ludlow (Bellewstown)
Jimmy was a former player with St. Pats and won an intermediate football championship medal in 1963.

Bridget Flood (Stamullen)
Bridget, who died in mid November past, was the mother of Pauline and Seamus Flood. Pauline was a former treasurer with the Pats and Seamus an ex player. Her grandson Colm Clerkin is a former committee member.

Fr. Seamus Dunican (Ardcath)
When as a chaplain in Gormanston, Father Seamus organised the famous trip by the St. Patrick’s club to London in 1988.

Tom Collins (Stamullen)
Tom’s sons Aidan, Dessie, ‘Lefty’ and Stephen all played with the Pats.

Marcella Owens (Stamullen/Athlumney)
Marcella lived in Navan and was the sister of Johnny Purfield, who is chairman of the Grounds Committee at the moment and who has held all positions within the club.

Una McCormack (Julianstown)
Una was the wife of Philip McCormack, who won an intermediate medal with the Pats in 1963.

Madeline Darby (Julianstown)
Nee Carty, Madeline was the wife of Donal Darby, a former St. Patricks player. Her son Mark and daughter Ciara play juvenile with the club.

Don Palmer (Kerry)
Don lived near Stamullen while working in Dublin Airport, before moving to Gneeveguilla. His daughter Sarah is married to former Meath and current St. Patricks star Cormac Sullivan.
Our sincere thanks to St. Patricks, Stamullen for supplying the obituaries included.

John ‘Jack’ Keena (Kilmessan)
Jack was the uncle of Charlie, Joe and Kevin Keena, star hurlers with both Kilmessan and Meath.

Daniel ‘Danny’ Duffy (Skryne)
Living near the Five Roads, Danny knew all about the huge rivalry between Skryne and Walterstown. He was a great supporter of the Skryne club.

Basil Curran (Tara)
Basil was a huge supporter of Skryne. His four sons Basil, the late Thomas, Patrick and Martin all played with the club. Basil junior was an outstanding underage footballer and was full back on the Skryne fifteen which gained Feis Cup honours in 1977.

Liam Tolan (Skryne)
The parish of Skryne was rocked by the news of the untimely death of Liam Tolan on the morning of Sunday 23rd May 2010. A rising young star, Liam, at 17 years of age, had already made a name for himself within GAA circles as an extremely talented player.
His football career started in Rathfeigh NS where he quickly became a star and won a primary schools medal at a very young age.
From Rathfeigh Liam went to Ashbourne Community School and made an immediate impact there in all sports activities. On the football field he was rewarded with his place on the school team and eventually on the Meath VEC county team. Between school and county, Liam has five Leinster medals - not bad for a 17 year old student. He was named player of the year in Ashbourne Community School for 2010.
As a member of Skryne club, Liam played in all underage grades and in 2004 he lined out in the under 12, 13 and 14 finals, winning the Under 12 Division 3 Championship and the Under 14 League. He was on the losing side in the Under 13 Final and also the Under 14 Championship Final. Therefore, Liam as a 12 year old, played in four finals, winning two and losing two in the same year and helped Skryne to their first Under 16 Division 1 Championship in 33 years during 2007, where he was top scorer in the final with 1-5.
Liam had also represented Skryne on the Meath minor panel for the past two years. These were just a few of the vast amount of honours he had amassed in his all too short football career.
A minute’s silence was held in his honour before the opening round Leinster Senior Football Championship clash between Meath and Offaly in Portlaoise, where stunned supporters heard the news of the tragic death of Liam, only hours after he had represented Meath minor footballers in their championship game, also against Offaly the previous evening, in Pairc Tailteann.
All Skryne GFC activities were cancelled as a mark of respect until after the funeral. The esteem in which Liam was held can be gauged by the massive number of people from all over Meath and indeed further afield, who called to the Tolan family household before the funeral and attended the club and graveyard on the day. The President of the GAA, Mr Christy Cooney, arrived at Liam’s house to offer his condolences to the family.
For years to come in the parish of Skryne and further afield, the name Liam Tolan will always pop up in conversation as one of the greatest young talents who never got the opportunity to reach his potential, he will always be remembered.
Once again we offer sincere sympathy to Liam’s mother Theresa, father Alfie and brother Peter. Ni bheidh a leitheid ann aris. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
Skryne GFC

Rose Curry (Clonee)
Nee Manning, Rose was the mother of current St. Pauls chairman John Curry. Her grandsons Martin Kelly and Gary Ryan play with the club.
St. Pauls GFC

John Keague (Clonee)
John was a cousin of the well known Keagues who have provided the St. Pauls club with great service.
St. Pauls GFC

Katheen Murtagh (Garlow Cross)
Nee Cummins, Kathleen was a member of a family that have held various roles in Kiltale hurling club over the decades.

John L McCormack (Leitrim/Kiltale)
John hailed from Drumcong in Leitrim and was a very generous benefactor to his adopted Kiltale.

Moira Kelly (Curraha)
Curraha GAA club extend their sympathies to Denis and his family on the death of his mother.

Seamus Dardis
Seamus was well known in the area and a long time benefactor to our club. His sons played for Curraha and we extend our sympathy to his family.

Liam McLoughlin
We extend our sympathy to Liam’s family who were associated with the club over the years.

Flo King
Flo was well known in the parish and we wish to pass on our sympathy to her family.

Fr. Con Moynihan (Kerry)
We extend our sympathy to the Moynihan family who have a long association with the club.

Liam Tolan
Liam was well known in our community, and we sympathise with his family and many friends on his untimely passing.

Paul Loughran
Curraha GAA club sympathise with the Loughran and Carey families with the untimely passing of Paul.
Curraha GFC

John Dolan (Dromone)
John was a player with local clubs Rahaghy and Glenidan before becoming a founding member of Moylagh in 1947. He played right through the 50s in the position of goals and went on to become one of Moylagh’s most avid supporters, rarely missing a match. At the time of his death he was a president of the club.
Moylagh GAA

Margaret Sheridan (Drumree/Enfield)
Margaret (nee Brennan) was a sister of legendary Meath footballer and All-Ireland medal winner Tony Brennan, who played his football with Enfield.

Billy Flynn (Rathcore, Enfield)
Billy was the father of Clare and Elizabeth Flynn and grandfather of Mandy Flynn, all of whom were part of the Na Fianna intermediate camogie championship winning panel in 2010. Billy himself played hurling for Kildare at one time. He was well known throughout the country as a private investigator.
Both obituaries supplied by Na Fianna CLG

Mona Cribbin (Agher)
Mona was the mother of Padraig Cribbin, a former committee member and who acted as a very efficient club secretary when Summerhill were at the peak of their powers during the 1970s.

Rose Coyne (Oldcastle/Rathmolyon)
Rose, nee Smith, hailed from where the parishes of Oldcastle and Kilskyre meet in north Meath. Her brother Charlie Smith started at centre field as Meath gained their first All-Ireland senior title with victory over Cavan in 1949. Rose’s own son Martin Coyne is a former Meath Player of the Year. He was a regular on the Meath team of the 1970s and one of the driving forces behind Summerhill’s magnificent four in a row achievement. Mannix Coyne, also Rose’s son, likewise wore the Hill colours.

David Dalton (Kilcock)
David senior was the head of a great Kildare GAA family and played for the Lilywhites with distinction, like his son and former All Star Davy Dalton who came to live in the Summerhill parish. Davy managed the Meath minors in 2010 and is set to repeat the role in 2011. David Dalton senior has grandsons and granddaughters involved with Summerhill.

Peter O’Brien (Ferrans, Kilcock)
Peter played schools football and was a former club player with Summerhill.

Pennie O’Callaghan (Kilcock)
Pennie was the wife of Patrick O’Callaghan, a former club member.

Michael Beatty (Summerhill)
Michael played with Summerhill from the mid 1960s, until the mid 1970s.
All obituaries kindly supplied by Summerhill GFC.

Patricia McCarthy (Dunshaughlin)
The McCarthy family have a long association with Dunshaughlin GAA. Patricia’s husband Danny is well known not alone in club circles but much further afield. Her son Hugh has played with numerous Dunshaughlin teams through the years. The McCarthy family have been life long members of Dunshaughlin GAA.

Olive Lynch (Rathfeigh)
Olive, like all her family, was a huge Skryne supporter. Her husband John played with the Royal Blues while her sons Fergus and Gavin continued the tradition. Olive’s brother in law Michael Lynch was a regular midfielder for the club for many years during the 1960s and 70s.

Nuala Callaghan (Roscommon/Ratoath)
Nee Corcoran, Nuala was a native of Ballintubber, Co. Roscommon. She was very popular member and supporter of the Ratoath club. Her husband Ollie is Chairman of the Ladies section of Ratoath. Their two girls Tara and Katie, have worn the Ratoath jersey on many occasion with Katie playing for Meath. Nuala's wonderful sense of humour and laughter is very much missed within our club and her sudden departure was a very sad day for all in Ratoath. We lost a very dear friend.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
Ratoath GAA

Michael O'Flaherty (Kerry/Maynooth)
Michael, a native of Castlegregory, Co. Kerry, had a great interest in GAA affairs throughout his life. He played football with the old Kilcloon team and subsequently with Drumree. Michael was a staunch supporter of Blackhall Gaels.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
Blackhall Gaels GAA

Paddy McGuinness (Clonalvy)
Paddy was a GAA man of the highest quality and followed the county footballers from one end of the country to the next. He was a selector with St. Vincents in the early 1980s and acted as chairman of the Handball Club in Ardcath. His grandchildren pulled on the club jersey and at present Paddy McGuinness' great grandchildren play with the club.
A fitting memorial to him will be the new club grounds due to be opened soon on land he sold to the club.

Tom Adams (Ardcath)
Tom had a big interest in GAA affairs and was former treasurer of the Handball Club in Ardcath.
Both obituaries supplied by St. Vincents GFC

Bob Ryan (Ballinlough)
The following tribute was made to the late Ballinlough club President, player and trustee Bob Ryan at the club's Annual general Meeting on 22nd January, 2010.
The early days of the New Year and decade were met with great sadness as we heard the passing of one of the club's best ever Gaels. As the news of the death of popular Bob Ryan on the 13th day of January spread around the parish, the general feeling was one of enormous sadness for the family and of great loss to the Ballinlough community.
Bob lived his life to the full and was a great servant to the general community and in particular to the local football club, Ballinlough GFC to whom he dedicated a good part of his life … firstly as a juvenile footballer, then progressing to the club's adult teams.
He was the winner of an All-Ireland medal with Warrenstown College. His greatest club achievement was the winning of the club's history-making Intermediate Championship in 1954, playing alongside his brothers Jim, Tim and Tom, the club's first ever title. The All-Ireland hero of 1949 and '54 Mattie McDonnell was also on the team.
In 1953 the club was after purchasing its present grounds and pitch at Belview from the Land Commission on the Rotherham Estate. The then Parish priest, Fr. Carey and another great clubman Frank Nulty worked alongside Bob in the deal. The club would have been unable to finalise the transaction but for the fact that Bob left the deeds of his property as guarantor and in effect was the club's first ever trustee. This was a showing of great generosity and trust on Bob's part. Its present condition, new floodlights, impressive stone wall and entrance gates stands as living reminders of Ballinlough's great gaels of the past … Bob Ryan fills this criteria.
When trustees were re-appointed, Bob Ryan was the first name that came up and he was delighted to be asked. He joined Paddy Jordan, Hugh Tully from the club, Colum Cromwell, Barney Allen and Michael Delaney (Leinster Council).
The crowds that gathered at the house, removal and funeral mass testifies how Bob was regarded by everyone who had the pleasure to have made his acquaintance over more than eight decades. Many made very long journeys to pay their respects, led by County Board President Mattie Gilsenan of Meath 1939 fame.
For Bob Ryan's contribution to Ballinlough GFC, the club will always be eternally grateful and when the annals of the club are eventually published, Bob Ryan will entertain a prominent place in Ballinlough folklore.
On behalf of Ballinlough GFC, I want to take this opportunity to sympathise with wife Margaret, sons Jim and Enda, daughters Mary, Elizabeth, Sinead and Finola, brother Jim (Castletown), Tom (Philipstown) and Tim (Blanchardstown) and sister Sr. Peg, relatives and friends.
May he rest in peace.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis
Seamus O Bradaigh
Leas Cathearleach Baile na Locha

Richard 'Dickie' O'Brien (Drumree)
The regretted death occurred on 21st April of Richard (Dickie) O'Brien, Drumree, aged 81. A veteran of the local GAA, he had been honoured by the Meath County Committee's Sean-Gael awards last September and was also part of the Drumree junior championship winning team of 1959 that was celebrated on its golden jubilee last year.
Prior to his time with Drumree, Dickie had played with Dunshaughlin and was a member of their 1956 side beaten by Navan O'Mahonys in the intermediate final replay. He won a JHC medal with that club in 1957. He subsequently won an intermediate medal with Drumree in 1961, when they defeated Slane.
His late brother, Larry, was a member of the Meath All-Ireland winning senior football panel of 1954, along with fellow clubman Billy Rattigan. In 1960, Larry and Dickie O'Brien, with their brother, Mattie Russell, and the late Ciaran Murray of Drumree, travelled to the 1960 Olympics in Rome by car in a memorable journey. In later years, he devoted a great deal of time to nurturing the juvenile players of the parish. He was also secretary of Dunshaughlin Boxing Club for a period.
Dickie also enjoyed horseracing and with a group of friends from the locality and Ratoath, attended many fixtures, with a trip to Tramore every year a speciality. Cheltenham was also visited. Deceased was retired from the former Department of Posts and Telegraphs.

Mattie Russell (Drumree)
Widespread regret followed the death of Mattie Russell, Drumree (87), who died suddenly on 9th May last, just two weeks after his stepbrother, Dickie O'Brien.
Mattie had been prominent in Gaelic football, athletics and boxing in his earlier days, and also had a love of horseracing which he followed enthusiastically with a group of friends.
In the early 1940s, he played minor football with Summerhill, followed by a stint with Culmullen, until it disbanded around 1945. Then, with other lads from the area, he played with Erin Go Brath, an 'unofficial' team based in the Dunboyne-Clonsilla area. Suffering a knee injury around 1948, he became involved with Dunshaughlin as a selector and was regarded as a very shrewd and honest selector, remaining with the club for about five years up until 1956.
An accomplished cross-country runner, he travelled to Garristown Athletic Club with contemporaries Kit Gannon, Culmullen, Paddy Maguire, Kilmessan and Nicky Kennedy, Garlow Cross, before running clubs were established in Drumree - St Martin's, and Kilmessan.
His knee injury put paid to that, and the boxing soon provided an outlet for his sporting talents. In the 1940s, the Hurst brothers, George and Peter, Germans who lived at Lagore, began teaching the art of self-defence to local youngsters. This soon developed to a 'flapper' boxing club, which then evolved into a full blown club affiliated to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association under local Sergeant Dan O'Connell, with Mattie as a boxer and trainer, as well as a 'second' in a boxer's corner. The most prominent boxers to emerge from this club were the 'fighting Foleys', Mattie Russell's cousins, including Christy who became National Boxing Champion in 1950 and attributes a great deal of his success to having Mattie Russell in his corner. Deceased, who was welterweight, devoted most of his spare time to training the local boxers, but shunned the limelight for his contribution.
He worked with Leonards of Culmullen, and later with Foley's Forge, where he looked after the maintenance of Fairyhouse Racecourse. Mattie was a talented mechanic and could turn his hands to plumbing and electric work, and often did when called upon by neighbours around Drumree, and carried it out with a good heartedness, never expecting anything in return, and will be remembered as one of nature's gentleman.

David Cottrell
David Cottrell, died 1st May 2010.  A great supporter of Drumree GAA, he would often be heard giving his game analysis in his usual witty manner.  David died after a short illness and is greatly missed in the Drumree area and beyond where he had a great many friends.  David is survived by his wife Anne, his son, daughters and son-in-laws, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Obituaries kindly supplied by Drumree GAA

Jack Ryan (Clare)
Jack was secretary of the club from 1958 and played an important role in the establishment of a hurling team in Moynalvey with a combination of players from Moynalvey and Rathmolyon. He was an integral part of our success when we won the 1962 Junior Hurling Championship. 
To Jack’s family we extend our sympathy,
Ar Dheis De go Raibh a anam.
Moynavley GFC
Fr Seamus Dunican

PP Rahan (Ardcath Co Meath)
Former parish priest of Moynalvey and Honorary President of our club for 10 years.
In 1992 Fr Dunican organised a trip to London for a reunion of people who had left Moynalvey, Kiltale and South Meath over 40 years ago. The trip proved to be very successful and is still talked about.
Fr Seamus touched the lives of many and his charm and good nature where evident to all. After he left in 2000 he kept in touch with many of his friends in Moynalvey.
Moynavley GFC

Patrick 'Pedro' Clarke (Kells)
Patrick was a former star player with Drumbaragh and played for the club as a corner forward in the 1960 senior championship final against Navan O'Mahonys. He was a most dedicated and committed member of the club.
Drumbaragh GFC

Tereasa Kerrigan (Mayo/Summerhill)
Nee Stafford, Tereasa was formerly of Barnatra, Co. Mayo. Her husband Jackie Kerrigan played for Summerhill. Tereasa was the sister-in-law of former Summerhill and Meath great Mattie Kerrigan.
Jody Fagan (Summerhill/England)
Jody, known only as ‘Bonnie’, died in England and in his youth played underage football with Summerhill.

Mary Dowdall (Donaghmore/Navan)
Nee Bradley, Mary was the wife of the late Mannix Dowdall, a well-known GAA figure in the county. Mary regularly accompanied her husband to club and county games. Her son Philip has served on numerous committees with Navan O'Mahonys.

Sean Munroe and Johnny Curran
The St. Michaels club wishes to remember the deeds and actions of two men with strong GAA affiliations in the area. Sean Munroe was a past President of St. Michaels, lining out with Kilbeg in his youth. Sean also played county minor with the club. Johnny Curran was also a past President of St. Michaels GFC. Both men passed to their eternal reward in December of 2009. Our sincerest sympathies to the families of both men.

Tom Rooney (Drogheda)
It was with great sadness that we mourned the death of Tony Rooney, one of our most popular members, in February of 2010. Tony died suddenly while out hill walking in the Mourne Mountains.
Tony  was IT Officer in the club and sat on the Executive Committee. In  his youth he played some Gaelic Football but his main sporting participation would have been rugby where, like a lot of St Colmcilles players, he played for Delvin Rugby Club. Tony’s  other great hobby in life was motor bikes and he was well known in these circles. He was a regular at the Skerries & Fore events and had attended the Isle of Man TT several times. He toured Europe on his motor bike and would have travelled the length and breadth of Ireland several times.
Tony married Una who hailed from Sligo in 1984, and had a family of four children, three girls and one boy. He was involved with the underage teams where his son Shaun played and drove not only his son, but many others to and from matches. His daughters also represented the club and his youngest Eimear plays for the girls U14 team and here again Tony would always be available to help out. His son Shaun won Junior C and U21 Championship medals with the club in 2009 and played for the Minor team this year.
Tony was one of nature’s true gentlemen. He never said no to anybody and volunteered to help whenever he could. He is and will be sadly missed by all at St Colmcilles but more importantly by his wife Una, daughters  Deirdre, Sarah & Eimear & son Shaun.
May he rest in peace from all at St Colmcilles

Michael 'Mickey' Smith (Slane)
Mickey Smith, who died in November, lived most of his life in Dowth and was undoubtedly a great Slane GAA man. He supported the club and its activities all his life, as a player, as a club officer and as a supporter. He won an intermediate championship with Slane in 1968 and is remembered as a forward of boundless enthusiasm and energy. When he later hung up his boots he immersed himself in the administration of the club for many years, taking that infectious enthusiasm that was his hallmark as a player and again putting it to great use. He is remembered as the club's first assistant secretary and he then became its chairman in the late 1980s and was very much to the fore in what were great times for Slane GFC. He was always progressive in his thinking and Slane benefitted from this trait during his time as an officer. Mickey's funeral at Monknewtown Church was one of the largest seen in recent years, and bore testament to his popularity and his ability to make new friends where ever he went, in every walk of life. He was also very active politically, as a member of Fianna Fail.

Thomas Tallon (Slane)
Thomas Tallon died suddenly and his passing came as a great shock. Thomas excelled at underage level at a time in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Slane had a great crop of young players. He won championship medals at under 12, 14 and 17 and in 1981 was on the team which represented Meath at Og Sport Gael, winning the All-Ireland B section. A talented all-rounder, he also ran in the athletic club in Slane, which was set up by his father. Like so many in that time, Thomas emigrated to London in the late 80s for several years which cut short his playing career.
Our thanks to Slane GFC for supplying both obituaries.

Francis Farrell (Rathmolyon)
Frankie was a member of our junior hurling team in 1958, and was one of many Rathmolyon men who cycled over to play hurling in Moynalvey, and who contributed greatly to our success in hurling in the years 1958 to 1968. In those years we won junior and intermediate championships. A true gael.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam
Moynalvey GAA

Margaret 'Margo' O'Donnell (Oristown)
Nee Englishby, Margaret was the aunt of the McDonnell family who have provided great service to the Wolfe Tones and other clubs in the area.

Peter Hennessy Junior (Oldcastle)
Four year old Peter was tragically killed in an accident in December 2009. Peter's parents Anne and Peter are great supporters of the Oldcastle club.

Angela Mulvaney (Oldcastle)
Nee Smyth, Angela's father Noel Smyth won an junior championship medal with Oldcastle in 1956. All her family played with Oldcastle. Angela's brother Enda won a Feis Cup medal with the Blues eleven years ago. Her uncle Pat Smyth also lined out with Oldcastle. Angela's husband Fergus was previously involved in Cavan GAA circles.

Michael Timmins (Oldcastle)
Michael had a long time association with Oldcastle GAA and remained a big supporter of the club. A player in his younger days, his father also played with the club in the early 1900s.

Edward and Willie Tuite (Oldcastle)
Edward and Willie were brothers who died within a week of each other. Edward lived in England, while Willie resided in Limerick. Both were buried in Oldcastle. Their family have long enjoyed a close relationship with Oldcastle GAA and the old Ballinvalley club. A brother, Andrew Tuite was the first Oldcastle player to line out for the Meath Vocational Schools team.

Mary Brady (Oldcastle)
Mary was the sister of former Oldcastle, Moylagh and Meath star of the early 1970s, Joe Brady.

John Clarke (Ballyhoe)
John died in December 2009. He was an Honorary President of the club at the time of his death. John's son Martin Clarke is a current committee member.
Meath Hill GAA

Margaret Curtis (nee Clarke) - From Curtis Cross, Kentstown
Margaret lived to the grand old age of 100. She was part of a fine GAA family where her sons (Colum, Dessie, Ollie, Sean and Tony) and grandsons played for Seneschalstown down through the years.
 
Richard & Eugene Byrne
Richard along with his brother Eugene both played for Seneschalstown and were members of the Junior & Intermediate Championship winning teams of 1936 and 1940 respectively
 
Bernadette Mulvany (nee Lyons)
Bernadette better known as "Detta" by the whole parish was part of a family with a strong link to the Seneschalstown club. Her sons Ollie, Kieran and Paul all played and managed teams through the years in Seneschalstown and are all still actively involved in the club today. Her grandsons and granddaughters are all currently playing with the club.
Obituaries kindly supplied by Seneschalstown GAA
The St. Marys club would like to extend its sympathies to the families of Patrick McDonnell and Sean Fullam.
St. Marys GFC

Joseph 'Joe' Morris (Kells/Dunshaughlin)
Joe, a native of Kells, was living and died in Dunshaughlin. From a strong GAA household, the entire Morris family have been great Gaeil Colmcille supporters for years. Joe's brothers Tommy and Eamonn both played for teams in Kells as did his nephews John and Tommy.

Tricia Carry-Lynch (Kells)
Tricia's father Paddy Carry was a former Chairman of Gaeil Colmcille. Her husband Vincent both played with the Gaeils and went on to become a top class referee, officiating at inter-county level for a number of years. Their son Justin Carry-Lynch was a vital member of the Meath minor squad which reached the 2002 All-Ireland decider and keeps the family tradition alive by regularly lining out for the Kells club.
Our thanks to Gaeil Colmcille for providing information on the above.

Paddy O'Brien (Navan)
When September came and we were putting our annual Friends we Lost section together, Navan was always a troublesome spot, as it was sometimes hard to obtain details of deaths. The huge influx of people into our main town often led to a little bit of detective work. This chap could have come from Cavan or Dublin or Nobber. What did we do? Well, we invariably went to De La Salle and Navan O'Mahonys legend Paddy O'Brien. Not that it mattered what club the person was attached to, once he was living in An Uaimh, Paddy O'Brien had most of the details. Maybe it was his training for addresses in the Post Office, but Paddy O'Brien was quite aware of anybody that kicked a ball or went to a game in greater Navan parish.
I am sure all of you know the great Paddy, passed on to his eternal reward last summer. Hard to know what to write about Paddy, but from all the words put to print we have chosen three pieces submitted which we feel might, in some tiny way, tell the life of one of our greatest.
“Leave it to me” - Paddy's door was always open
Written by a friend and working associate
Thousands of words have been written of Paddy's dedication to the 'The Salles' and O'Mahonys fraternity. Paddy's life, however, also contributed to his work in the Post Office and wider community. History will not record the work Paddy did for the people of Navan through his work in the Department of Post and Telegraphs, and later, in An Post, for almost 50 years. Customers came first and it was never known for him not to make time for anybody no matter how trivial an issue.
Later, when he became head postmaster, he often returned from his lunch break (if he had time to take it) to find a queue of people waiting to see him, often with matters that were of little concern to his position in the Post Office. Nobody was ever turned away and all were given whatever time they needed. His generosity knew no bounds to which the neediest of Navan will testify. Paddy's trousers had deep pockets when it came to a 'loan'; a one man community welfare office. He was often regaled for this but he would respond: “I never failed to receive a repayment."
For those who were anxiously awaiting tickets for a match to arrive at the last minute or a school principal awaiting examination results, he was a one man sorting office, often late into the night. The catch phrase "leave it with me" or "no problem" was synonymous with the man. The word "no" on its own was not part of his vocabulary. As head postmaster he treated every member of the staff as an individual and his door was always open. His generosity to staff during Italia '90 was the ultimate as far as many were concerned. Almost every business closed in Navan to allow staff to watch one of Ireland's matches. An Post allowed no such concession. Paddy, a totally committed GAA man, made a decision to man the counter himself so that staff could enjoy the event. He often quipped later that he had very few customers to attend!
It was an honour to have known this man are words that will echo on behalf of many Navan folk. Paddy was, indeed, a man for all seasons.
Ar dheis laimh Dhia go raibh a anam dhilis.
Paddy O’Mahony
A submission by his club Navan O'Mahonys

The late Paddy O'Brien
6th June 1931 - 26th June 2010
Paddy O'Brien was a true legend of Navan O'Mahonys. Over a fifty year period he had a huge influence on the lives and playing career of thousands of O'Mahonys boys and girls. Seeking the limelight was not for Paddy, instead he quietly went about his business without any fuss, guiding, cajoling and directing young people on the playing fields while also instilling in them all the importance of good manners, respect and loyalty.
Paddy’s great love was the youth section of our club, that's where he was most at home. In fact one little boy, when asked by his mum who his football coach was, he replied "Paddy". "Paddy who?" she asked. "Paddy O'Mahony of course", was the youngster’s reply. That sums up Paddy. To young people he was "thee O'Mahony".
Paddy loved Gaelic games, and even though most would have perceived him as a football man, hurling actually was his first love. For many years he used his trusty old bike to travel to games the length and breadth of the county, or indeed on a summers' Sunday to Croke Park. But as he grew older he showed his great intellect and vision by enthusiastically embracing the age of new technology, the bike was replaced by the car, the distinctive handwriting by the computer, and the "a chara" fixture notification by the mobile phone. He took great pride in the achievements of his former charges, be it Joe Cassells receiving Sam Maguire in 1988 or Paddy Smyth receiving the Keegan Cup in 2008. But of equal importance to Paddy was just to see boys and girls continue to play football and hurling at any level, as they grew and matured into adulthood.
Paddy O'Brien was a great family man, a great son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, but to us players he was simply Paddy, the kindest man who never criticised us but simply taught us everything we know about the game.
We miss him greatly and during the long summer evenings as goals and points are being scored and the sound of footballs or sliotors reverberate around Brews Hill we think of Paddy, safe in the knowledge that he would have approved.
Ni bheidh a leithéid ann arís. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhilís.

We repeat an excellent piece from the pages of the Meath Chronicle
Paddy O’Brien Street
Paddy O'Brien would have been proud of last Sunday's performance by the Meath team, and the Navan O'Mahonys players in particular, in the clash with Dublin in the Leinster championship semi-final at Croke Park.
Sadly, just over a week after taking ill, the Navanman passed away on Saturday night, and was honoured with a minute's silence at GAA headquarters on Sunday, a tribute befitting a man who had dedicated a lifetime to developing the skills of Navan O'Mahony's juvenile players. Also remembered on Sunday at Croke Park was Lt Gen Dermot Earley, the former chief of staff of the Defence Forces and Roscommon All-Star footballer, who was buried in Kildare on Saturday, and the late Drogheda native Peter Farrell, who lived in Bellewstown.
An emotional Stephen Bray dedicated his man of the match award to Paddy O'Brien on RTE television on Sunday night after the Meath-Dublin game. He said that any Navan O'Mahony's player who is on the Meath panel, or was on it over the past 30 years, owed a debt of gratitude to him.
"I know he was looking down on us today. Words can't adequately reflect what he has done for Navan O'Mahonys as a club, and for me as a player," he said.
Mr O'Brien's long association with Gaelic football and hurling began in 1955 when he became secretary of the local De La Salle club. He grew up on Abbey Road and was encouraged to get involved in the club by his parents, Pat and Molly. He had played very little, but was very interested in the games for a few years before he got involved.
His brother, Martin, captained the 1956 'Salles' side that won the MFC title when the Delany Cup was presented for the first time. Brother Celestine of the old De La Salle school prompted Paddy O'Brien's initial involvement.
In an interview two years ago, he recalled cycling to Croke Park, and venues such as Athy, Mullingar and Newry to see Meath teams in action.
"I don't know what kind of a life I would have had without Gaelic games," he said in August 2008. "I loved working with young people, there's nothing to beat being with underage teams and I have met some great people, players and club mentors down the years. I wasn't a great mixer and the GAA opened up a whole new life for me."
Mr O'Brien remembered that it was tough going to keep a club going, depending on small draws, and he was always a great believer in player welfare, collecting money to make sure injured players weren't out of pocket.
In 1962, De La Salle, the nursery for O'Mahonys, brought off the minor football and hurling championships double. In 1989, after the departure of the De La Salles from Navan in the eighties, the club was subsumed into Navan O'Mahonys. Tom Fitzsimons and Seamus Heaney, both of whom have since passed away, Eamonn Giles and Joe Cassells were among the best of the young players he put through his hands, he said in the 2008 interview.
Mr O'Brien served two years as county juvenile board secretary, in 1978 and '79. In 2007, he received a Volunteers in Irish Sport Award from the local sports partnership, accepting it on behalf of all the people who worked with him over the years. He was on the officerboard of Navan O'Mahonys Juvenile GAA club as PRO up to the time of his passing.
Last year, when Navan Town Centre sought suggestions for somebody to name the Kennedy Road-Abbey Road link after, it was Paddy O'Brien who came out on top.
Mr O'Brien worked with the Post Office, and gave close on 50 years service, from 1946 until 1995. These were almost all spent in Navan, apart from a three year spell in Kells, where he also served as postmaster. He recalled delivering telegrams by bicycle in the 1950s. He recalled hundreds of congratulatory telegrams often had to be delivered to Dalgan Park following Columban ordinations.
Deceased received invaluable support from his wife, Mairead over the years, while his daughter Mary followed in his footsteps, becoming O'Mahonys juvenile secretary, and son Padraig is involved in underage hurling teams. Mr and Mrs O'Brien were 50 years married in the week prior to his taking ill.
Cllr Shane Cassells paid tribute to Paddy O'Brien for all the work he did with so many generations of young people with the underage teams in Navan O'Mahonys.
"Men like Paddy O'Brien are rare and there is literally nobody else in the town that has been able to leave such an impression on so many generations of families," the Navan councillor who himself experienced Mr O'Brien's guidance, said.
"People talk about Obama and his inspirational speeches - Paddy O'Brien was ten times more inspirational and he didn't need half the amount of words.
"His love of football was obvious but his greatest gift was the way he tried to get the best out of every young lad that went through the underage structure in O'Mahony's - no matter what their ability. He gave so many people a love of Gaelic games but he was also keenly aware of building young men of good character. It was a sad moment to stand for the minute's silence for him in Croke Park on Sunday but it was never more deserved for a man who gave his entire life to the GAA."
RIP Paddy.

Finney Mooney (Killyon)
Finney played with the club for a number of years. While doing so he won a number of championships. Finney's family was a large one, and all of them played at underage level for the club. At that time the club won a lot of underage championships through the help of his family taking part. His sons also played and won championships with the club.
To Finney's family we in the club express our sincere sympathies on your sad loss.
Killyon Hurling Club.

Christy Gilsenan (Killyon)
Christy was a lifelong member of Killyon Hurling Club. At the time of his sad passing he was one of the Presidents of our club. Christy played hurling with Killyon from the early 1950s to the late 80s. During his playing years he won a senior league medal in 1959. He gained a junior in 1968 and 1976. Christy played in several intermediate finals in which our club lost. He represented our club by playing for the county and during that time he won a Leinster medal. Christy was a very skilful player and a true sportsman, a credit to his family and club. He also played badminton and was a lifelong pioneer member.
To Christy's wife Marjorie and his three daughters, Christine, Mary and Catherine and son Michael, we in the club express our sincere sympathy. There was a guard of honour formed from the church to the cemetery by members of the hurling club.
Club Chairman Christy Mitchell recited an oration and the Hurlers Prayer at the graveside.
Killyon Hurling Club

Patrick 'Paddy' Ayers (Killyon)
Paddy started playing juvenile hurling with the club in 1967. During his time playing he won schools, juvenile, under 16, 18 and 21 medals. He won four under 21, two under 18 and one under 16 award and went on to play in our adult competitions. He gained an intermediate and five senior honours and one O'Growney Cup medal. Paddy never missed a training session and always played his heart out for the club. He lined out for the club from 1967 to 1994 … what an achievement. Paddy's son also played and won championship medals with the club. To his wife and family we in the club express our sincere sympathies on your sad loss.
There was a guard of honour formed by members of the hurling club from the church to the cemetery. The Club Chairman delivered an oration and recited the Hurlers Prayer.
May he rest in peace.
Killyon Hurling Club

Thomas Ayers
Thomas had left his native Killyon a long time ago. A club member, his brother Mick was a selector with Killyon. Mick's son and Thomas' nephew Paddy Ayers also passed away in 2010.
Killyon Hurling Club

Phil Gilsenan (Killallon)
Phil with his brothers Paddy, James and John played hurling with Kilskyre and won a junior championship in 1947 He played senior football with Ballinlough for many years as a half back and later as a goal keeper and won an Intermediate Championship with Ballinlough in 1954.  Later in the 60’s he helped to reform a club in his native Killallon where he finished his playing career. He also took part in drama groups in Kilskyre and Killallon for many years
A builder and stonemason by trade he worked until his 80th year. He was a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association.  
Survived by wife Kitty and son Padraigh 

John Fox (Kilskyre)
John was a member of one of the oldest families in the Kilskyre area. A farmer and a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association all his life, he was married to Maureen. His sons James and John and daughter Mary wore the Ballinlough colours with distinction  

Liam Sheridan (Kilskyre)
A farmer all his life, Liam was gifted with machinery from a young age. He was the proud owner of a 1947 Nuffield tractor which is in working order to this day. He took part in vintage shows  all over Meath and Westmeath. He was one of the chief organisers of the first parade in Clonmellon.  With his wife Mary he was a great supporter of Kilskyre and Ballinlough clubs. 

John Newman (Kilskyre/Australia)
Johnny was an underage player with his native Kilskyre. A butcher by trade he worked in Dublin and Waterford before he opened his own business in Crossakiel. Married to Beryl from Australia where he immigrated in the 70’s, Johnny was a frequent visitor to his native Kilskyre and kept up to date with the local club’s progress.
All kindly supplied by Kilskyre Hurling Club.

Eamonn Hussey (Oldcastle/Dublin)
Eamonn was a native of Moate, Oldcastle before moving to Dublin. He remained a keen supporter of his local club St. Brigids and was an uncle of the Timmins' brothers Michael, Eunan and Oliver, past and present players for St. Brigids GFC.

Vincent 'Ben' Coyle (Ballinacree)
Ben lived at Tubrid, Oldcastle and was a lifelong supporter of Meath and St. Brigids GAA. His three sons Jimmy, Vincent and Michael all played for St. Brigids, Ballinacree.

Thomas Maguire (Longwood)
Thomas was tragically killed while participating in the Donegal International Rally. He had played with his local Longwood club from under 12 and had won an under 21 medal as a goalkeeper. Thomas was a first cousin of Longwood and Meath star Rory Maguire.

Karl Hatton (Trim)
Karl was an experienced, professional and very popular barman who worked in a number of well-known establishments throughout the county. An accomplished sportsman, he excelled at hurling during his younger days.

Tony Farrell (Athboy)
Tony lived in England for a long number of years. He returned to act as caretaker at the local Rathmore National school. Tony was a huge GAA fan, especially of the local Clann an nGael and Meath teams.

Bernard 'Barney' Egenton (Dromone/New Zealand)
Barney came from the shores of Lough Bawn, where Meath meets Westmeath. He played with Moylagh in his younger days and always followed the fortunes of the club.

Michael Coogan (Dunderry/Trim)
A successful businessman in Trim, Michael was a great supporter of his native Dunderry.

Tom McDonagh (Lambay, Kilbride)
Tom was a club member and a great supporter. His son Terry was an outstanding former player.

Mary Loughran (Robinstown)
A great supporter of the club, Mary's son Thomas was a former player with the old Robinstown team and Dunderry.

Una Bligh (Kilbride/Dublin)
Una was the sister of current club secretary, the very popular Billy Bligh. She was a great supporter of the club.

Michael J. Keaveny (Robinstown)
Michael was 88 years of age when he died. A lifelong supporter of the club, his son Kevin Keaveny is the current treasurer of Dunderry GAA.
Dunderry GAA extend their deepest sympathies to all members who suffered bereavements during the year gone.

Mary ‘Molly’ McCabe (Tara, Skryne)
Molly, nee Smith, was a member of an old Donore GAA family. Her nephew Liam Smith played for the county during the 1980s. Molly and her husband, the late John Joe McCabe, raised a large family and last February she celebrated her 90th birthday in the Walterstown clubhouse, with all of the donations (Molly asked for no gifts) going to charity. One of her sons, Christy McCabe, played with both Skryne and Dunsany.
Peter ‘Petsy’ Dolan (Ardbraccan)
Petsy was a useful footballer in his younger days and remained a big GAA supporter.

Joseph 'Joe' Harte (Boyerstown)
Joe was born in 1916 and was in his 94th year. He worked as a gardener all his life, and was a keen cyclist. His son Liam was a prominent player with Bohermeen parish teams. He was a lifelong supporter of Meath teams and for decades regularly cycled to Croke Park with his wife Lily. Joe and Lily were, for many years, involved in the local Dramatics Society. Their daughter Marie is married to well-known Bohermeen and County Board official Liam Brady. Joe is survived by his sons Liam and Jimmy and his daughter Marie Brady.
James Hodgins (Faughan Hill)
James attended the Meath v Westmeath game earlier that day and was on his way to Galway to visit his girlfriend Lorraine, when the tragedy happened. James was a selector with the St. Ultans Ladies underage teams during the period when his sister Alma was Chairperson of the club.
James was an avid Manchester United supporter and a keen gardener and a carpenter by trade. He was predeceased by his sister Lucy, three years previously.
St. Ultans GFC would like to extend their deepest sympathy to James' parents William and Betty, brothers George and Robbie and sisters Anna, Pamela, Alma, Patricia and Irene and girlfriend Lorraine.

Kathleen Rennicks (Bohermeen)
Kathleen was predeceased by her husband John, who was headstone mason for years in Bohermeen and a proud follower of the GAA. Their sons, Donald and Sean, played football with the Bohermeen parish side. Kathleen is survived by Mairead, Sean, Patricia and Donald.

Elizabeth Kenny (Galway/Allenstown)
Originally from Maam in County Galway, Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband Mick. She lived in Allenstown for the past 70 years. Her son Joe played with the Martry Harps combination. Elizabeth's is survived by her sons Frank and Joe and daughters Maureen and Bernie.

Joseph 'Joe' Everard (Ratoath)
Joe played both hurling and football with Ratoath in the 1960s. He won a senior hurling championship medal with St. Pats, an amalgamation from the area in 1963. Joe's son Noel played underage and adult football with the club.

Martin O'Gorman (Athlone)
Although born and living in Athlone, Martin became a huge follower of Meath football when studying in Gormanston College during the 1960s. He was tragically murdered in a Navan street after arriving in the town to celebrate Meath's big championship replay win over Laois last summer.

Kathleen Meleady (Navan)
Kathleen lived to the grand old age of 95 years. She was a member of the well-known Dowdall family from Donaghmore just outside of Navan. Her sons-in-laws, Paddy McKeown (Simonstown) and Ollie Martin (Martry) are well known in GAA circles.

Tom McKeown (Kilberry)
The recent death of Tom McKeown has caused much sadness among Gaels everywhere, but especially in his own beloved Wolfe Tones hurling club.
The deceased, as a young man, played football with Kilberry all through the 1950s and early 60s.
In the early 50s a hurling club was formed in Wilkinstown, Tom was one of the founder members.
He became an outstanding hurler and achieved county status playing for the Meath junior team.
At that time there was no underage structure in the Wilkinstown club and as a result the club became run down and disbanded in the late 60s.
Tom continued to play football with Kilberry and was a member of the team that won the Junior B Championship in 1963.
When Wolfe Tones was formed in the mid 1970s, it was decided to affiliate a juvenile hurling club.
Tom was elected Chairman, a position he held for 25 years. He started coaching juveniles and hurling became his passion.
He coached young players every Sunday morning for many years. It was a remarkable sight to see Tom arriving at the pitch in his land rover accompanied by many young players.
The success of his efforts can be gauged by the fact that over the next 25 years the club won every championship except senior, and were beaten by one point in the 1993 final. He continued to take an active interest in the club for many years. His family, Charlotte, Thomas and Bernard continue to play an active part in the club.
Sadly, in the late 1990s, Tom’s wife Alice suffered a serious illness which left her confined to a wheelchair.
Tom then retired in order to take care of his wife, which he did wonderfully.
He was a wonderful motivator among the players, teaching them the basic skills of hurling plus a high standard of sportsmanship.
Tom was a very successful farmer having started from modest beginnings. He had a wonderful, positive outlook on life and was a source of inspiration to all who knew him. Tom also took an interest in other sports including horse racing, shooting and boxing. He will be missed by all who knew him.
We offer our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
May he rest in peace.
Wolfe Tones Hurling Club

Jim Byrne (Boyerstown)
Jim, who operated a hairdressing saloon on Navan’s Watergate Street, was one of the best known musical directors in the north-east. He also performed with numerous bands. A big Meath supporter, he played football with the old Navan De La Salle club in his younger days.

Aidan O’Brien (Garlow Cross)
Early November saw the regretted death of former Walterstown player Aidan O’Brien.
Aidan was proprietor of the Better Value store on Kennedy Road, and previously Buy Right Stores, which was also located on Kennedy Road.
He spent all his working life in the retail clothes business. Aidan started his career with Joe Woods on Trimgate Street and spent time with Paddy Mullen and Taylors of Swords before joining Dunnes Stores.
The O’Brien family is long associated with Walterstown GFC and Aidan O’Brien was a member of the panel that won the club’s first adult championship, the Meath JFC, in 1961.
He was also very proud of his achievements with the now defunct De La Salle underage club in Navan. He won three under 14 HC, three under 16 HC and one MHC medals with ‘The Salles’ as well as two MFC medals.
Aidan played minor football with Meath in 1963 before a knee injury curtailed his football career. However, he added a second JFC medal to his collection in 1978. He was an avid follower of Meath football and his brothers Michael and Eamonn are both past managers of the county senior football team.
Aidan was also a keen golfer and a former member of Royal Tara Golf Club. He organised numerous golfing trips to the Algarve in latter years.
Soccer was another of his interests and he was in Malaysia, with his daughter Ruth, in 1997 to witness the Republic of Ireland team finish third in the World Under 20 championships.
Aidan was predeceased by his son Ronan some years ago.

Teresa ‘Tilly’ Murtagh (Navan)
Teresa, nee Boyle, from Gainstown was the matriarch of a great Navan GAA family. Her late husband Johnny was well known in political and GAA affairs. He was one of the driving forces behind the old De La Salle club. Johnny was also heavily involved in the Meath underage scene. Their son Finian captained Meath to a Leinster minor championship title in 1980. Finian went on to gain two All-Ireland senior medals in 1987 and ‘88. The minor connection continued in 2002 when Teresa and Johnny’s grandson David (Dominic’s son) also played a key role as Meath again won Leinster minor championship honours.
Oliver and Dermot are the other sons in the Murtagh household and it is a rare occasion to see an O’Mahonys team without some Murtagh involvement on the sideline.

Irene Moore (Bellewstown)
Irene was part of a great GAA family. In 2010 her brother John Moore was chairman of the Duleek club, while another brother Michael Moore is a current member of the club executive. Irene’s nephew Robert Moore is treasurer of the club.

Richie Caffrey (Trim/Kildalkey)
Richie in his earlier years played hurling for Trim with whom he won a couple of senior hurling championships. He moved to Kildalkey and played both hurling and football with Kildalkey. He later became Chairman of Kildalkey and was in the chairman’s role when the club won its one and only intermediate championship in 1971 to go senior where the club has remained to this day. Richie remained a loyal Kildalkey GAA supporter throughout his years. Richie’s sons Peter and Tony also played hurling for Kildalkey. His daughter Helen (wife of Stephen Skelly) and her family have been great servants to Kildalkey GAA playing hurling and camogie along with Stephen Skelly, who did so much with underage hurling as well as being chairman of Kildalkey HC.
Kildalkey Hurling Club

Martin Heavey (Ballivor)
The Ballivor club would like to pass sincerest sympathies to former underage player Martin Heavey, who passed away during the year.

Frank Dunne (Navan)
Frank was a popular member of an old Navan family. He possessed a huge interest in GAA affairs. Frank played his early football with the now defunct De La Salle underage club in Navan. Later on he togged out with the old Boyerstown side, a team formed in the early 1950s which survived until the late 1960s. A fitter by trade, he worked at the Leo Collins joinery on the Kells road out of Navan. There Frank became involved in the Meath inter-firms competition and with many of the Collins’ staff still apprentices and without transport, it was not unusual to see Frank Dunne at a match and 12 or 13 players attempting to exit his car. Frank always kept a close eye on Navan O’Mahonys and, needless to say, was a huge Meath supporter.

Carmel Smyth (Wilkinstown)
Carmel was actively involved in the Community Centre in Wilkinstown. Her son Pat, on moving to Navan, served O’Mahonys in a number of executive positions. Another son, Noel has acted on the Simonstown committee. Pat’s son Paddy is one of the star players with O’Mahonys.
Eileen Conlon (Navan)
Eileen was a member of the Dunphy family of O’Growney Terrace in Navan. Her brother, the late Paddy Dunphy (like all of his family) was heavily involved with Navan O’Mahonys. A son-in-law of Eileen’s, Gerry Cahill has given great service to the Bective club.

Patrick ‘Paddy’ Hoey (Wilkinstown)
Paddy played hurling with the now defunct Wilkinstown club. All of his eight sons played football with the local Castletown club - Pat, John, Gerard, Conor, James, Corbett, Vivian and David. And the legacy lives on. Lining out in the underage section for the north Meath club are Stephen Hoey (Vivian’s son), Evan and Shane Hoey (John’s sons) and Francis and Robert Hoey (Corby’s sons). Paddy and his wife Ann were predeceased by their daughter Eve. Bridget, Constance, Lavinia and Louise make up the Hoey household.

Christopher ‘Christy’ Kellaghan (Rhode, Offaly)
Christy was the father of Offaly football star Pascal Kellaghan. Pascal from just over the Offaly border in Rhode successfully managed Ballinabrackey to the Meath junior championship in 2010. Shortly after Christy’s death Rhode won yet another Offaly senior football championship title. Clara were beaten 3-9 to 2-11. In his after match speech another Offaly and Rhode star and captain Niall McNamee dedicated the victory in memory of Christy. Pascal lined out at full forward and played his usual attack leader role to perfection.
The Syddan club remembers Packie Courtney from Ardee and Lobinstown man Tommy Donegan, who both played with the club. Also, Rosie Donegan (nee Lennon) from Lobinstown who played ladies football with the club in the 1960s.
May they rest in peace.
Syddan GFC