Westmeath Obituaries 2000/2001
John Rigney (Loughnavalley) John Rigney was a fiercely committed Loughnavalley clubman who made an enormous contribution to Cumann na mBunscol and Community Games in the area. One of his proudest moments occurred last July when his son Kenneth played for Westmeath against Wexford in the Cumann na mBunscol Mini Games at Croke Park. John James Smith (Ballynacargy) A native of Cavan, John James Smith was in his 90th year at the time of his death. Before moving to Ballysallagh, Ballynacargy 40 years ago, he had established himself as one of Cavan’s best known GAA personalities. An accomplished footballer with both Swanlinbar and Templeport, he would have been part of the famous Cavan side which won the 1947 All-Ireland final in the Polo Grounds was it not for injury. On his arrival in Ballynacargy, he immediately took a keen interest in the affairs of the local club. John’s three sons, Hughie, Paddy and Johnny, all played for Ballynacargy and Westmeath at different stages. Col Kevin Hanley (Athlone) The late Col Kevin Hanley had close links with Athlone GAA club, having been a prominent member of the Pairc Chiarain Development Committee in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Fr Tom Faulkner (Coralstown) Fr Tom was a talented footballer with Coralstown in his younger years. He spent many years in the Philippines on missionary work before returning to Ireland. Mary Melia (Castlepollard) Mary took a great interest in hurling and was a loyal supporter of the Castlepollard club. Val Hughes (Ballycomoyle) Val was one of Ballycomoyle’s most committed footballers, being an integral member of the team throughout the 1950s. He played alongside his brother Paddy in the 1953 Junior Championship final which Ballycomoyle lost to Boher. To mark the 40th anniversary of Ballycomoyle’s Junior final appearance, Val and his surviving team-mates were presented with special awards in 1993. Noel Nannery (Kilbeggan) The deceased took a keen interest in Kilbeggan GAA and was the father of Eugene and Martin, two of the club’s most talented players during the 1980s and 1990s. Harry Murtagh (Athlone) Murtagh was one of Athlone’s greatest footballers, being one of the best half backs ever to grace the Westmeath football scene. His brilliant reading of the game, combined with his tremendous left foot, drew admiration from those who had the pleasure of seeing him in action. Harry was captain and team manager of a very young Athlone team that won the Junior Championship in 1954. Then, for the next six years, he played at left half back on the Athlone team which put six Senior Championships back-to-back. This record has yet to be equalled by any Westmeath club side. The memorable point which Harry scored from 80-yard range at Hogan Park, Moate, in the quarter-final of the 1954 Junior Championship is still talked about to this day. His name will always be synonymous with Athlone GAA. Patsy Dalton (Milltown) Milltown lost one of its most illustrious sons last October with the passing of Patsy Dalton. A Life President of the club at the time of his death, he was a stalwart of Milltown teams during the 1930s and 1940s. That was a golden age for Milltown who won the Junior Championship in 1936 and followed it up with Senior Championship final appearances in 1938 ‘40, ‘42 and ‘43. Patsy was an integral member of all of these teams. When the club disbanded following the defeat by Moate in the 1943 final, Patsy and a number of other Milltown players joined neighbouring club Moyvore. He later played for Loughnavalley and won a Junior Championship medal with them in 1950. When Milltown reformed in 1951, Patsy and other Milltown natives rejoined. The winning of the Junior Championships in 1974, ‘84 and ‘96, as well as the purchase and development of the new playing pitch, gave him as much satisfaction as the famous victories during his own playing days. Patsy’s son Jim remains deeply involved in the Milltown club. Peter McCormack (Moate) Peter served as treasurer during the 1950s when Hogan Park was purchased and developed. He continued to serve on the club committee until recent years, never losing his enthusiasm for Moate GAA. Seamus Dolan (Moate) Resident in Daingean for many years, Seamus was an accomplished forward with both Moate and Westmeath during the 1930s. He garnered minor and senior championship honours during that time. Eddie Coady (Moate) Eddie had the distinction of being the only person to have attended all of Moate’s Senior Championship finals in the 20th century, spanning from 1933 to 1997. He played for the All-Whites himself during the 1930s and had a great memory of the club’s activities down through the years. Kit Scally (Loughnavalley) Kit was a member of the Loughnavalley team which won the Junior Championship of 1950 and always took a keen interest in the affairs of the club. Martina Poynton (Delvin) The tragic death of 13-year-old Martina Poynton caused widespread shock and disbelief in Delvin. A gifted camogie player, she first played the sport while a pupil in both St. Tola’s and St. Earnan’s National Schools. She duly linked up with her local club Delvin and played a prominent role in assisting them to championship victories at under 12 and under 14 level. Her natural ability earned her county recognition and she played for Westmeath in the Under 14 Leinster Championship. One of her proudest moments, however, was when she travelled with her Delvin team-mates to represent Westmeath in the National Feile competition. Pat Moffatt (Loughnavalley) Ballinacarrow man Pat Moffatt was a lifelong GAA supporter and in particular a loyal member of the Loughnavalley club. As a young man, he played on numerous Loughnavalley sides in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He was a member of the team that won the Junior Championship of 1950. Pat’s death occurred on the same weekend that his beloved Loughnavalley had organised a reunion to remember and pay tribute to the men who created their own piece of club history 50 years earlier. Pat would have been a guest of honour and a recipient of a presentation at that function. Sean Reynolds (Maryland) The deceased was a highly active Maryland clubman who held the position of club president at the time of his death. In more recent years, he became deeply involved in the Maryland/Tang underage amalgamation. Andrew Lynam (Ballycumber and Athlone) A native of Ballycumber, Andrew had a great passion for GAA. He was regularly spotted at GAA grounds throughout Westmeath and Offaly. Patrick McCormack (Moate) Patrick always took a keen interest in the fortunes of the All-Whites and in his retirement years, helped out local GAA clubs by making goal-nets. Joseph Ennis (Kilbeggan) A native of Castletown-Geoghegan, Joe spent most of his working life in Kilbeggan. He developed a great interest in Kilbeggan GAA and was present in Cusack Park last October to witness the club’s victory over Ballymore in the Intermediate Championship final. Joe’s son Michael lined out at midfield on that occasion. Danny Douglas (Portarlington and Athlone) Danny was a legend of Laois football, being named on the county’s Team of the Millennium. He represented Athlone with distinction during the 1930’s when he was an army sergeant stationed in Custome Barracks. Fintan McCormack (Maryland) The Maryland club was plunged into sadness last May following the death of 33-year-old Fintan McCormack. Both on and off the field, he was the epitome of a great clubman. Whether proudly wearing the number nine jersey or selling lotto tickets, Fintan always gave of his all. McCormack made his debut for the Drumraney club in 1984 and remained an integral member of the team until 1997. When playing was no longer an option, he became vice-chairman and served and supported the club to the last. Despite the serious nature of his illness, he still travelled to Portlaoise for the All-Ireland under 21 football semi-final between Westmeath and Limerick, which was played only days before his death. Frank Ballesty (Milltown) Frank was an important member of the great Milltown team of the 1930s. He was part of the double-winning side of 1936, playing at centre half forward on the team which defeated St. Loman’s in the senior league final. Sam O’Neill (Brownstown) In his younger days, Sam donned the famed blue and white jersey with pride. He lined out at half forward on the first Brownstown team to play in the Junior Hurling League since the club’s reaffiliation in 1968. In 1970, he enjoyed his finest hour with Brownstown when he won a Junior Championship medal. Willo Reynolds (Shandonagh) Willo was a real driving force behind Shandonagh GAA, helping to found the club in 1967. The following year, he was trainer and half back on the Shandonagh team which won the Junior League title. His years of sterling commitment and tireless workrate earned him the title “human dynamo” in Shandonagh. John Fox (The Downs) John Fox was well known in GAA circles, especially in The Downs, where he played football in the 1940s and 1950s. Fox was a native of The Downs but had lived in Rochfortbridge in the years preceding his death. Michael Ferrick (Multyfarnham) Michael Ferrick Snr was a great player and supporter of football in the Multyfarnham area all his life. He was a prominent member of the successful Inny Rovers team of the 1930s. Fr Peter Joseph Kelly (Kilbeggan) A native of Terrycrew, Kilbeggan, the deceased was a noted footballer in his younger years before taking up a ministerial post in Perth, Australia. He still kept in touch with the game and was a keen supporter of both club and county. He returned to Ireland in recent years and was living in Mullingar at the time of his death. Tom O’Neill (Collinstown) Better known for his involvement with the Lough Lene Angling Club in recent years, Tom was a talented hurler with the local club during his youth. James Garty (Kinnegad) A native of Coralstown, James was a loyal supporter of Coralstown/Kinnegad. He was also an avid fan of Westmeath and nothing gave him more pride than the recent All-Ireland Minor and Under 21 Football successes. Patrick Claffey (Kilbeggan) Paddy was a great follower of Gaelic games and indeed played hurling with the Westmeath minor team in the 1940s. He took a great interest in the affairs of Kilbeggan Shamrocks, with whom his son Larry won a Junior Football Championship medal in 1992. Enda O’Rourke (Athlone) Husband of Minister Mary O’Rourke, Enda had many interests, among them Gaelic games. In his younger days, he lined out for Athlone on numerous occasions. Christy Slevin (Rosemount) Although resident in Moate since the 1940s, Christy was a die-hard Rosemount supporter, a club he represented with distinction at junior and senior level. Christy’s son Martin won two All-Ireland Colleges medals with Carmelite College before going on to play senior football with Moate All-Whites. Paddy McLoughlin (Boher and St. Malachy’s) Paddy was a noted footballer with the Boher club during his younger days, winning a Junior Football Championship medal with them in the early 1950s. In latter years, he took a great interest in the well-being of St. Malachy’s, attending their games on a regular basis. Lisa Kelly (Kilbeggan) Lisa, who was just 14, took a keen interest in GAA and played with the Kilbeggan Shamrocks under 14 ladies football team. Dan Hogan (Garrycastle) Few have contributed more to Garrycastle’s modern day success than Dan Hogan. An enthusiast supporter of both football and hurling, he played a key role in Garrycastle’s rise through the ranks over the past 20 years. County board chairman Seamus Whelan described him as “the quintessential Gael” and “a gent” at the August meeting of the county board. Dan was president of the club at the time of his death. Jack Egan (Castlepollard) The final link with the great Castlepollard team of the 1930s was severed in April with the passing of Jack Egan. Aged 94, Egan was a legend of Castlepollard hurling, helping the club to Senior Championship successes in 1933, ‘34, ‘36 and ‘37. The deceased spent a period of time in England but continued to don the blue and gold jersey with pride well into the 1940s. He remained an active member of the club following his retirement from playing and served as a mentor and selector during the 1960s when Castlepollard regained their place at the top tier of Westmeath hurling. Oliver Moore (Horseleap) Oliver took a great interest in the GAA and played with the now defunct Ardnurcher club which fielded one of the strongest senior hurling teams in the county during the 1930s. Patsy Kerrigan (Rathowen) One of Rathowen’s best known residents, Patsy was a founder member of the Inny Rovers football club. The deceased, who was in his 86th year, was a superb athlete in his younger days, being a Leinster Championship title holder. Tommy Gorman (Ringtown) A resident of Coole, Tommy was an accomplished Ringtown hurler during his younger years. Simon Bateman (Ringtown) Simon, who was in his nineties at the time of his death, hurled with Ringtown during his younger years and remained a staunch supporter of the club thereafter. William McCormack (Collinstown) Bill was a fine hurler with the old Collinstown club during his youth and won a Junior Championship medal with the club in 1946. He lived in Delvin for many years and was buried in the local cemetery. Michael Halpin (Collinstown and Ballycomoyle) Michael played hurling with Collinstown, winning a Junior Championship in 1946 and Feis Cup medals in 1950, ‘51 and ‘52. He emigrated to England in 1954, missing out on Collinstown’s Senior Championship success the following year. The deceased was also a talented footballer and played in goals for Ballycomoyle in the Junior Championship final of 1953. Bridie Daly (Brownstown) Bridie was a great supporter of Brownstown and took great pleasure in watching her four sons Tom, Michael, Brian and Johnny play with distinction for club and county. Her daughter Angela was also a noted camogie player. Predeceased by her husband Michael, Bridie was a sister of one of Brownstown’s greatest clubmen, the late Paddy Monaghan. Jack Gorman (Ringtown) Jack was a great supporter of Ringtown and rarely missed a championship match involving the club. Tom Sheerin (Brownstown) A stalwart of Brownstown hurling, Tom’s association with the club goes back to the very beginning when it was founded in 1926. He acquired his great passion for hurling during his days in Gehanstown National School before going on to make a big impression in the Brownstown colours. A tough and fair defender, Sheerin lined out for Westmeath alongside fellow Brownstown clubmen Larry Reilly and Nicholas Smith against Laois in the 1931 Leinster Championship. In doing so, they became the first players from Brownstown to represent their county. Tom featured on the Brownstown team which won the Minor Championship at Streamstown’s expense in 1935 before winning his first Senior Championship medal in 1938. Work commitments took him away from his native Archerstown in the early 1940s and thus, he missed out on the Senior Championship successes of 1943 and ‘46. However, he returned to the Brownstown sides which annexed further Senior Championship titles in ‘47 and ‘48. Following his retirement from playing, Tom took up refereeing and he also served as club chairman for a lengthy period. He also held numerous other positions on the club committee, receiving great support from his wife Molly who, for many years, washed the club jerseys by hand. Their hard work, along with that of the late Paddy Bartley at underage level, laid the foundations for future Brownstown successes. He took great delight from the club’s many successes throughout the 1970s and 1980s and remained a staunch supporter until the time of his death. Tom McClare (Castlepollard) Tom was one of Castlepollard’s greatest servants, both as a player and as a mentor. His playing career spanned from 1954 to 1974, during which time he contributed handsomely to ‘Pollard’s many achievements. When Castlepollard were relegated to junior status in 1953 and appeared to be in danger of disbanding, it was Tom, along with Dan Cassidy and Billy Creggy, who kept the club afloat. In 1955, ‘Pollard won the Junior Championship with McClare featuring at full forward. In 1958 and ‘60, Tom captained the blue and golds in two Senior Championship finals but they were defeated on both occasions by Castletown-Geoghegan. The breakthrough finally arrived for Tom and his team-mates in 1961, however, when ‘Pollard claimed the Examiner Cup at St. Pat’s expense. ‘Pollard were defeated in the 1963 final by Rickardstown but bounced back to win two-in-a-row in 1965 and ‘66. Again, Tom captained these great teams. Castlepollard lost the Senior Championship finals of 1972 and ‘73 to St. Brigid’s and Raharney respectively but regained the title in ‘74, providing Tom with the perfect retirement present. McClure, who also acted as a team mentor during that highly successful 19-year period, was provided with a guard of honour by Castlepollard hurling club at his funeral. Johnny Garvin (Castletown-Geoghegan and St. Malachy’s) The death of Johnny Garvin, aged 56, after a long illness, caused widespread shock throughout the county. A fiercely proud Castletown-Geoghegan man, he made an enormous contribution to GAA in the county and in more recent years, became known as the “Voice of Westmeath GAA” through his commentaries on videos produced by Ollie Gallagher. A talented athlete, Johnny took great pride in donning the Castletown-Geoghegan and St. Malachy’s colours. He was a very able administrator and was an integral part of St. Malachy’s from the time of its inception in 1969. He held the position of club treasurer until the time of his death and regularly acted as a gate collector and steward. Having won football championship medals at under 17, junior, intermediate and senior level, Johnny turned his attention to refereeing and liked nothing better than taking charge of Cumann na mBunscol fixtures. The advent of Scór was to open up a new avenue to Johnny’s undoubted talents. He took to the stage in recitation, novelty act and question time where, along with his great friends, Larry Hackett and Seamus McLoughlin, he recorded numerous county and Leinster successes. Unfortunately, an All-Ireland title eluded the trio but their achievements were subsequently marked by Westmeath county board. It must also be noted that Johnny was the driving force behind Scór in Castletown-Geoghegan for many years. Johnny’s match commentaries reflected his great passion for Westmeath GAA and he took particular pleasure from being involved in the All-Ireland football successes at minor and under 21 level in 1995 and ‘99. A few weeks before his death, Johnny had been transferred to Tullamore General Hospital but he later instructed his medical team that he wished to die in his native Westmeath, adding that he was “a Castletown-Geoghegan man, first, second and last.” Larry Nugent (Caulry) Larry was a tremendous servant of the club as both a player and selector. He was captain of the 1957 Caulry team which won the Junior League and Championship double. Jack Keane (Mullingar) Jack took a tremendous interest in GAA affairs and was involved with a number of clubs in the Mullingar area throughout his lifetime. He worked at Shaw’s of Pearse Street and Shaw’s Lane for many years alongside two other great gaels in former Westmeath footballer and referee Vincent Gillick and Brendan Walsh, a former secretary of the Westmeath county board and chairman of the Leinster Council.