Meath Obituaries 2001

Jim Kearney (Oldcastle/Navan)
Jim, who died in February after a long illness, will always be remembered as the man who came out of retirement to play at midfield in the glorious All Ireland victory of 1949. He had already starred as a half back on the 1939 side which had reached the All Ireland Final, the 1940 side which added a second Leinster, a third Leinster in ‘47 and a National League win in 1946. The Railway Cup of 1940 was another of his triumphs while on the club scene he won Junior titles with his native Oldcastle in 1938 and 1944 and played on the losing side in the Senior Final of 1945. Jim moved to London but subsequently back to Navan where he owned a very successful Licensed Premises for many years.

Charlie Smith (Oldcastle/Dublin)
Charlie Smith, who lived in Sutton at the time of his death, was another of the famed ‘49ers. When Oldcastle played against Skryne in the Meath Senior Final in 1945, Charlie was Jim Kearney’s midfield partner. He subsequently moved to Dublin where he played for Westerns and was selected for the Dublin Junior team in 1948. By ‘49 he had declared for his native county and played a prominent part at midfield during the Leinster campaign and in the All Ireland semi-final. For the final however, the selectors brought back former club mate Jim Kearney and Charlie had to be content with a place on the bench. His subsequent career was short-lived but Charlie came to the fore once more in 1968 when his firm “Janelle” generously sponsored the official clothing outfits for the Meath Team’s trip to Australia. He is an uncle of former Meath Footballer of the Year and Summerhill star Martin Coyne. Charlie went to his eternal reward in September.

Dick Cassidy (Kells/Moynalty)
Dick, who passed away in October at an advanced age, was the last surviving member of the Meath team which won the National League of 1933 - beating Cavan in the final. He played in the right full back position. Dick also figured on the team which played at the official opening of Pairc Tailteann in 1935. In 1939 he actually played in goal in the 1939 Leinster Final against Wexford but by All-Ireland Final time Hughie McEnroe was goalkeeper and Dick was in the reserves. He won two Senior Football Championships, one with Moynalty in 1932 and the other with St Mary’s (also from the Moynalty area) in 1937. He subsequently played for Kells. Dick was also a prominent referee for many years. In his working career he was a County Council road overseer.

Nicky Bowens (Walterstown)
Nicky, who passed away in May in his late 80’s, played for the Blacks for many years and was on the panel for the Junior Championship victory of 1944 (they subsequently lost the title at a Co Board meeting). However, it was as an administrator that Nicky made his name. He was club secretary from the mid 50’s to the mid 60’s, Chairman for a couple of years and an Honourary Vice President later on. It is fair to say that during Walterstown’s rise to prominence in the early 60’s from a lowly Junior team to a senior power he was their best known official. He represented the club for many years on Meath Co Board and refereed many matches. In 2000 he was one of the first to be nominated for a Sean Gael award.

Noel Costello (Kildalkey)
Noel died in March while still quite a young man. A more than useful hurler, he played at left corner forward on Meath’s All Ireland Junior Hurling Championship side of 1970, Hertfortshiren were defeated in the replayed final. He won a Meath Senior Hurling Championship with Athboy, coached the Kildalkey Senior Hurling team and refereed many important hurling matches.

Paddy Daly (Summerhill)
Paddy died in the days following Christmas 2000 and was buried in Dangan on one of the worst days of last winter. He played on Summerhill’s Junior Championship winning team of 1953 but it was as an Administrator that Paddy really made his name. He acted as Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Co Board Delegate at various times and was generally recognised as the face and voice of football in Summerhill for many years, particularly during his club’s glory period in the 70s. He received the Meath Hall of Fame award in 1993. The graveside oration at his funeral was made by that other Summerhill legend Matt Kerrigan.

Richie Barry (Walterstown)
Richie, a son-in-law of Nickie Bowens (see above), died in March. Although only in his early 60s he had been ill for some time. Richie was the star forward for Walterstown when they made the breakthrough from Junior-Intermediate-Senior in the early 60s and he went on to star as a senior for many years, playing in the Senior final of 1968 (as captain) when the Blacks lost to Gaeil Colmcille. He also served his club as a selector, treasurer and assistant secretary. When his playing days ended Richie became one of Ireland’s top referees, officiating at an All-Ireland Under 21 final (1973), several Leinster Championship matches, a Connacht Semi Final, two Meath Senior Football Finals and numerous finals in lesser grades. Sons Eamonn, Martin and John, of course, figured in all the great Walterstown victories of the late 70’s/early 80’s and are still very much to the fore in coaching/management roles at county and club level.

Ciaran Browne (Walterstown)
Ciaran, in his early 60s, died in February after a lengthy illness. His playing career could be said to be similar to Richie Barry’s, the only difference being that he was at the opposite end of the pitch - in goal. Like Richie, he won Junior and Intermediate titles in the early 60s and played on the losing side in the ‘68 Senior Final. When Walterstown eventually won the Senior Championship in 1978 he was Club Chairman and a selector. He continued as a selector during all those glory years. Ciaran also acted as groundsman when the club opened its new pitch in the 80s and the excellent condition of the facilities could be attributed to this tireless GAA worker. Son Alan played for Meath on many occasions, including the All Ireland Final against Down in 1991.

Patsy Caffrey (Drumbaragh)
Patsy played for Drumbaragh back in the 50’s before their rise to senior ranks and before the days of Gaeil Colmcille. A great club servant he was his club’s nominee for the Sean Gael award in 2000 and received his trophy although too ill to attend on the night. Patsy died in September 2001.

Eamonn Boland (Roscommon)
A famous All-Ireland winner from back in 1943/44 who also happened to play centre field for Donaghmore when they won the Meath Intermediate title in 1950. Eamonn went on to star against Meath in the 1952 All Ireland semi-final when the Royals narrowly beat Roscommon. Eamonn died in January 2001.

Joe Blake (St Brigids Ballinacree)
Joe could be said to be the heart and soul of the St Brigids club, occupying all the important positions, Chairman, Secretary, Co Board delegate and selector down the years. He was also to the fore in all parish activities. Joe was in his 60s when he died in January after a long illness.

Paddy Finn (Stamullen)
Paddy, who died in October after a short illness, was in his early 70s. He was one of those great GAA men whom we all recognise as keeping the Association going. Committee man, fund raiser, jersey minder, pitch mower and present at every match from juvenile to All-Ireland. He acted as steward in Pairc Tailteann and even Croke Park itself for many years. He also attended Co Board meetings and Annual Convention. When Paddy had an opinion on something it was very difficult to argue the opposite case. Affectionately known as “Trooper”, the nickname referred back to his days in the army where he served as far away as the Congo. At his funeral in Moorechurch, tribute was paid to Paddy by way of a graveside oration by St Pats Chairman Nicholas Hughes.

Other deaths during the year involving GAA families in Meath -

Marina Fay, Boyerstown, daughter of well known Dunderry great Phil and sister of Phil Junior, died tragically in a car accident at the end of 2000.

Tom Cooney, former Bank of Ireland, Manager Navan, father of former Meath Minor coach Gerry (Dunboyne), died at Christmas 2000.

Mattie Smyth, Kells, a committee member and Co Board delegate for Gaeil Colmcille. A hurling fanatic, played, and was a selector, on many a Kells team. Died in November 2001.

Sean Englishby, Delvin, brother of Finian, the former Meath Hurling Board Chairman.

Mrs Breda Reynolds, Walterstown, mother and grandmother of many players and former players of Walterstown teams including All Ireland medal holders Pat and Paddy.

Mrs Brigid Jordan, Kilskyre, mother of former Ballinlough Chairman Paddy.

Mrs Maisie McIntyre, Dunboyne, wife of Dunboyne official and former Dublin and Offaly player Paddy. Nee O’Reilly from Oldcastle, she was the mother of former Meath and Dunboyne star, also Paddy.

Mrs Daisie McLoughlin, Dunshaughlin, wife of well known Dunshaughlin official and member of Co Board Disciplinary Committee Patsy. Daisie was a grand-niece of Mick Clusker (Dunshaughlin) who was full-back on the All-Ireland winning Meath junior hurling team of 1927. Her father, Tommy McClory, played hurling with Dunshaughlin and was Meath’s representative at the first ever National Handball Convention.

Peter Fox (Snr), Rathkenny, father of well known Co Board Official and Referee Peter.

Joe Finnegan, Navan, a gateman at Pairc Tailteann for many years up to 1999.

Joe Sullivan, Julianstown, father of former Meath Minor Board Chairman Johnny and grandfather of Meath goalie Cormac.

Mrs Peggy Fay, Trim, mother of Mickey and Jimmy, former county footballers, and grandmother of full back Darren.

Jim Dungan, Dunsany, a life long member and official of the Dunsany club and brother of Sean of the Royal Meath Association, Dublin.

Tommy Horan, Kilmessan, father of Sean and grandfather of star hurler Nicky.

Eileen Farrell, Isle of Man and formerly Bettystown, sister of former star Robbie O’Malley.
Robbie McCullagh, honourary President of Simonstown Gaels GFC.

Margaret Clarke, Simonstown, wife of Noel from a well known Simonstown GAA family. Noel is one of Barney Allen’s most trusted Pairc Tailteann stewards. Margaret died suddenly in November 2001

Edward Nulty, Ratoath, a former Ratoath hurler and footballer of the 50s/60s.

Roisin Morris, Kells, a great Meath and Gaeil Colmcille fan in her 20s who died tragically in a traffic accident in the USA. Was a former PRO of club.

Tommy Reilly, Dulane, described as a walking chronicle on GAA matters who also figured prominently in Moynalty Stream Threshing affairs.

Christy Leavy, Athboy, gave great service to the Athboy club particularly at underage level. Father of Anthony and Sean, both well known in GAA circles. The seventh son of a seventh son and famous for his cures.

Mai Donnelly, Kilmessan (age 91), sister of former Meath Legends Tony and The Red (Pat) and aunt of Dinny.

Mary Smyth, Batterstown, a member of the Reilly family, Dunboyne. Wife of John Smyth and sister in law of Brian.

Mrs May McGuinness, Navan, widow of the late great Tommy (The Boiler), former famed Meath and Leinster player of the 30s.

Conor Smyth (aged 14), son of O’Mahonys official and former Chairman Pat.

Kevin O’Connor (Jnr), Curraha (age 35), son of Curraha official and Co Board Delegate Kevin Snr. Died in a road accident on the night of the All Ireland Final.

Mrs Kitty Henry, Clonmellon, mother of well known referee Jimmy.

Mrs Mai Christie, Rathmolyon, mother of former Meath hurler and footballer Paddy and grandmother of present Dublin player Paddy Jnr.

Mrs Kathleen Sullivan, Walterstown, mother of former Walterstown and Meath players Niall and Frank.

Mrs Josie Rennicks, Martry, mother of Gerry, Kevin and Vincent, all well known members of St Ultans, and former outstanding athlete Colm.

Terry Dowdall, Cannistown, Navan, a great Meath supporter, involved for all his working life with Tara Harriers Hunt.

Pat Duane, Walterstown, a Galway native who in his young days played hurling for Dunshaughlin and Oberstown. Wife related to Father Tully.

Leo Murray, Navan, father of Simonstown forward Daryl and son of the legendary “Mosh” Murray, an old Navan Harps player, referee and team trainer.

Paddy Mahon, Kilbride, brother of well known official Tommy.

Eric Carolan, Bohermeen, won a Junior Championship medal with Slane in 1952. Well known in Athletics circles.

Peadar Byrne, Navan and late of Dowdstown, played junior football for Walterstown and Skryne in the 40s. Died just after Christmas 2000.

Paddy Byrne, Meath Hill, who died in January 2001 was a great GAA supporter always willing to help out with club affairs.

Kerr Reilly, Trim and Navan, a great supporter of all sporting occasions, Kerr a young man, died during the summer after a brief illness.

Gerard Gilsenan, Ballinacree, father of former St Brigids and Meath Junior footballer, Hughie.

Joe Doyle, Ballivor, a great gael all down the years and father of present day selector Martin.

Patrick McCabe Jnr, Ratoath, from a Ratoath family synonymous with the GAA in the village, this young man was fatally injured in a traffic accident in late October.

Mrs Peg Carey, Dunshaughlin, mother of Dunshaughlin Committee member Liam.

Desmond McMahon, Gibbstown, father of former Meath senior footballer Robbie, died in November.

Mrs Mary Reilly, Navan, sister of former Hurling Board Chairman Michael (Harry) Connor, Trim, died in November.

Ronnie Sherlock, Navan, a well known figure in the furniture industry who was a keen supporter of Walterstown and Meath.

Tom English, Allenstown, a keen supporter of the native game in his parish. Son Pat was an outstanding footballer with Harps and served as a selector with St. Ultans in 2001.

William (Billy) Mitchell, lived in Dublin but part of a great Athboy GAA family. Son of Laurence who captained Meath to All-Ireland junior honours in 1927.

Annie (Babs) Diamond, Gibbstown, a great Meath follower. Son Paddy was a regular with Wolfe Tones for years.

Tommy Hamilton, Oldcastle, from a great Oldcastle sporting family. Served the north Meath club in a number of roles. Played junior for both Meath and Kerry.

JJ Daly, a native of Athboy. Grandsons play with Curraha.

Syl Furey, Laois and Navan, a star minor with his native Laois in 1966 and ‘67. A garda based in Navan, played with the Walterstown club.

Michael Carolan, Moynalty, played with Moynalty in his youth and was an avid Meath supporter.

Kevin Foley, Kilmessan, a member of the local club who never missed a Meath game.

Kathleen Flannery, Carnaross and London, cousin Brian ‘Whites’ O’Reilly was a member of the great Cavan team of the late 40s, early 50s. Brother Patrick was on the victorious Meath 1947 junior team.

John Malone, Kilmainhamwood, a member of the North Meath combination which brought home the senior championship trophy in 1950. Also played with Gypsum Rangers and Kilmainhamwood. Cycled to Croke Park in his youth.

Tommy Keegan, Killyon, a former player and secretary of Killyon Hurling Club.

Tom Condra, Castletown, well known in farming matters, sons play with Castletown.