Those of us of a certain age vintage will have known John McKenna well. A lifelong member of the Brickey Rangers club, the man from Carriglea regarded the "Brickeys" as part and parcel of living and of life itself. The GAA was an integral part of his very make up, and over the years and indeed the decades it would be impossible to accurately quantify the contribution he made not just to his beloved Brickeys but to the Association as a whole. Sadly the Grim Reaper called John ashore last week, the suddenness of his passing in his own farmyard on the Tuesday afternoon leaving his legion of friends both shocked and very deeply saddened. His death truly marks the end of an era in Deise gaeldom. John McKenna will be remembered best for his many years as one of the Western Board's three representatives to the County Board. And the esteem in which he was so widely held by the clubs of his division is mirrored in his top of the pole election performances at convention after convention. He was a colourful as he was witty in debate, and while there could be a cutting edge to what he sometimes had to say John mcKenna never, ever, resorted to offensiveness. He was, in simple truth, a gentleman to his fingertips. The GAA representation at his removal to St Mary's Parish Church in Dungarvan last Thursday evening was immense. Fittingly too the coffin was draped in the black and amber of the Brickey Rangers and club members provided a guard of honour. john would have liked that no doubt. Following his funeral Mass last Friday the cortege winded its way to the new cemetery in Rinn O gCuanach and John was laid to rest, again in the presence of a hugely representative concourse that very much a GAA dominated one. To his wife, daughter and all of his other relatives we extend our deepest sympathy. A legend may have departed but his memory never will. Courtesy of Waterford News & Star. September 2007 Tweet

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