Meath Obituaries 2003

Colum Cromwell RIP
an appreciation from Skryne GFC
The parish of Skryne descended into mourning on Monday, August 4th with the sad and untimely passing of Colum Cromwell.
His beloved Skryne football club were taking a severe body blow for the third time in less than a year. He was the third former chairman to pass away along with his brother Paddy, and Jim Hayes.
He is an incalculable loss to his wife Kay, son Paul and daughters Susan and Carol. It was a shock to everyone in Skryne to hear that Colum was ill at the end of 2002. On the few visits I made to him, I marvelled at his strength and determination in dealing with his serious illness. His outlook was to fight back, stay strong and keep his spirits up right to the end.
Colum began his football career with St Finian’s College, Mullingar, winning a Leinster junior medal in 1954. He made his way onto the Skryne senior panel in 1956 but he was unfortunately to figure in four SFC final defeats in a row, three of them by the minimum margin.
Colum was not a robust, hard hitting player, he was skilful and good at taking scores. He played his best football against Navan O’Mahonys, putting all the great Skryne forwards to shame in the 1959 final when he was the only starting forward to score with a goal and a point.
With Skryne out of the limelight for the next five years, he particularly liked the tournaments in north county Dublin, in Oldtown and the Naul, plus the Dunshaughlin seven a side.
He ended his career winning a Feis Cup medal in 1965. When his playing days were over he turned his hand to refereeing. He was no less efficient in this capacity, taking charge of championship matches in all grades.
As a a young man and early in his playing career, he moved into the administrative side of the GAA. It was here that he shone and was in line for an ‘Allstar’ almost every year.
He became secretary of Skryne in 1958 and his club duties covered everything from repairing the football, looking after the jerseys, to marking the pitch. When games were fixed or postponed at short notice, he had to ‘hop on his bike’ and go around the sprawling parish of Skryne to inform all the players.
There were no mobiles or emails in those days. He was ever present in all the administrative position in the club, including chairman and although living in Navan since 1966 did not throw in his low with Simonstown Gaels until 1985.
At County Board level he had been a Skryne delegate since the mid-fifties, and never missed a convention since then. In his own words, when he walked into the convention in 1971 he did not know that within an hour he would be elected chairman of the Meath County Board.
When he took his place at the top table beside outgoing chairman, Jack Fitzgerald, he found himself being put to the severest test, with the thorny problem of the abolition of the infamous rule 27.
He also held the position of vice-chairman and assistant secretary. His great talent as an administrator moved further afield when he spent 15 years on the Leinster Council and 7 years on Central Council and also on the GAC.
He was chairman of the Meath centenary committee in 1984 and was instrumental in organising a GAA inter club quiz. It gave him great pleasure to see Skryne take the prize and his brother Paddy win the individual award.
The quiz master for the final was the memory man himself Jimmy Magee. Colum was a valued member of the NEHB quiz team around this time. They were almost unbeatable in competitions around the county.
Some of his great memories included a trip to San Francisco with the All Stars in March 1971, just two months after election. He enjoyed his three trips to Wembley with Meath in 1965, ‘68 and ‘71. As Central Council delegate, he travelled to San Francisco in 1988 and the Sky Dome in Toronto in 1991 with the All Stars.
One of his proudest moments as county chairman, was the day Meath took the NFL title in 1975 for the first time since 1951, with a young Skryne man, Mick Ryan at midfield.
Although born and reared in the shadow of McManus Park, his interests were not confined to Gaelic Games. His knowledge of horse racing, soccer and boxing was unsurpassed and when arguments arose concerning results, he was the first man to be contacted to confirm the answer.
Colum made his annual trip to Fairyhouse at Easter and Bellewstown in July, when he attended the three evenings. Not even his serious illness would deny him unbroken attendance at his favourite tracks.
When he attended the millennium mass in Skryne church, he suggested to our PP Fr Joe Gleeson about organising a special reunion. It was 50 years since he left his old ‘alma matter’ and his idea was to bring all the past pupils of the last 50 years together for a special day. He set himself the target and with the help of many more Skryne people it took place on 9th July 2001.
On GAA affairs, he was a writer of outstanding ability, contributing numerous articles to Meath GAA yearbooks and official match programmes. He was involved in the production of the official match programme for the 1997 Meath SFC Final which received a McNamee award.
The completion of his book “Golden Wonders” in 2001 describing his life and times , will be a monument to all the young people of Skryne for years to come.
This friendly unassuming legendary man, Colum had a memory for games, dates and events, like an encyclopedia, with the history of Skryne GFC in the offing, his early passing has robbed the club of its greatest historian. He will be remembered nationwide but especially in Skryne as one of the greatest GAA man of his time.
Deepest sympathy is extended from all the members of the Skryne club to Colum’s wife Kay, daughters Carol and Susan, son Paul, grandsons and sisters Maura and Dolores.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
David Carty, Skryne GFC

The late Colum Cromwell
an appreciation from Simonstown Gaels
It was with widespread regret and disbelief that we learned of the death of our club colleague and friend, Colum Cromwell on Monday, August 4 last.
His loss will be immeasurable to our club but nothing compared to that suffered by his wife Kay, children Carol, Susan, Paul and grandchildren, Sean and Eoghan, who have lost a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Illness struck Colum in late 2002 when he was actually on club duty, collecting a gate for a Feis Cup game between Dunderry and Dunshaughlin when he felt faint. The prognosis a few days later wasn’t good, but he bore his illness with great dignity and was in great form right up to his untimely passing.
Colum Cromwell’s GAA involvement spanned 45 years and incorporated involvement at club, county, provincial and national levels. Reared just a stone’s throw away from McManus Park in Skryne, he immersed himself in the local club from an early age, both as a player and an administrator.
At County Board level he occupied various positions, including chairman and was Meath’s Leinster Council and Central Council delegate for periods.
He moved to Navan in 1966 after his marriage to Kay but didn’t switch his GAA allegiance from his native Skryne to Simonstown until 1985, a couple of years after his son Paul had started wearing the sky blue jersey.
Skryne’s loss was Simonstown’s gain! Incidentally, Paul won under 12 and under 16 medals with the club.
At that time Simonstown’s adults were struggling to make an impact in the junior championship but its juvenile section was blossoming as a result of the population growth experienced in north Navan and Colum became a permanent fixture on the executive committee as the club navigated its way to senior ranks.
His involvement in Simonstown saw him occupy the positions of Co Board delegate, assistant treasurer and PRO. No task was too menial for him and he took as much pride and responsibility in collecting gates for junior matches as he did in any other role in the GAA. To him they were duties that had to be done.
There were numerous non-office duties he also fulfilled. These included helping with the distribution of tickets for Meath’s games, co-ordinating the sale of tickets for own two house draws in 1998 and 2000 and the club’s weekly lotto.
Understandably, his illness prompted him to take a back seat from administrative duties within the club late last year but he remained just a phone call away and was always on hand to offer advice, no matter how how trivial our queries may have been. He was an anchor to steady any ship.
His in depth knowledge and understanding of the politics of the GAA meant he was always a calming and steadying influence at our executive committee meetings and on the few occasion we found ourselves in hot water with the County Board over one thing or another we knew we had the best possible man in our corner to fight our case.
While he enjoyed the myriad of meetings his involvement necessitated he attend, Colum gained most enjoyment from attending games, juvenile to adult, club and county. He knew practically every under age player in Simonstown on a first name basis, and could offer incisive opinion on each individual’s strengths and weaknesses.
He was a fountain of knowledge and statistics and in our club his judgement was rarely challenged.
Colum’s sporting interest wasn’t solely confined to Gaelic football and hurling, indeed, as is well known, he was a recognised almanac on all sports while horse racing finished a close second in his sporting passions.
Telling yarns was another talent he possessed, he frequently entertained us with the tales and recorded many of these for posterity in his memoirs, Golden Wonders, which he published in 2001.
Card playing was another passion and during the winter months, he was a regular in the club house every Saturday night for the ‘25s’ league which he was mainly responsible for co-ordinating. He played his last game of cards in the club on Saturday, July 27th, a week before his untimely passing.
The huge turn-out at his removal and funeral bore testimony to the widespread esteem in which he was held throughout Meath and beyond. The presence of GAA president Sean Kelly, ex-presidents Joe McDonagh and Jack Boothman, ard stiurthoir Liam Mulvihill, Leinster Council chief executive Michael Delaney and Meath stars, past and present, was a fitting tribute to a man who will not easily be forgotten and who will never be replaced.
To wife Kay, daughters Carol and Susan, son Paul, grandsons and sisters, Maura and Dolores, goes the sympathy of all members of our club and the wider GAA family.
His friendly and outgoing disposition meant Colum was approachable at all times and he will be sorely missed, not alone by all of us in Simonstown, but by all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
Shane O’Brien, Secretary/PRO

The late Loman Fagan
An appreciation from Simonstown Gaels
It was with shock and sadness that we learnt of the sudden death of one of our honourary club presidents, Loman Fagan, on Friday August 22nd.
Loman was a prominent figure in the foundation of our club back in 1965 and was the club’s first ever secretary, a position he held until 1973.
Last year he was chosen as the club’s nominee for the County Board - organised Sean Gael scheme which recognises the contribution of individuals to their respective clubs and the GAA in general. It was recognition well deserved by Loman.
He was a regular visitor to the clubhouse and was elected as an honourary president at the 2002 AGM. A minute’s silence was observed prior to our SFC quarter-final against Walterstown which took place in Pairc Tailteann a few hours after Loman’s untimely passing.
To his family Joseph, Margaret and Majella, brothers and sisters and friends Sheila and May goes the sympathy of all our club members.
As dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
Shane O’Brien, secretary/PRO

Matt Kevin (Oldcastle)
Matthew, sadly passed away during a match against Moynalvey in which Packie was playing back in March. His death shocked not only the club, but all people associated with the GAA throughout the county.
Matthew was a hugely popular Oldcastle Gael – a man who had devoted much of his life to the cause of the GAA in the north Meath area. In his playing days he lined out for Ballinlough and St Brigid’s.
From talking to various club officials around the county, it is impossible not to notice the high esteem in which he was held. Matthew was doing linesman at the time of his death.
“The club were very good after dad died and they helped us out in any way they could,” says his son Packie.
“My father was the person who really got me involved in the club, and he used to bring us to games at underage and everything. He really put a lot of effort into the club. He loved being involved and helping out.”
The www.hoganstand.com website carried a message the day after Matthew Kevin’s death which finished up by saying – ‘Rest in peace Mattie Kevin of Oldcastle, a man who gave his all for football, who lived and sadly died for football yesterday.’
Football was put into perspective for Packie Kevin and all Oldcastle Gaels this past year. There is no doubt that Oldcastle lost an irreplaceable servant in 2003, but the Kevin name will remain an integral part of the club for many years to come.

Jackie Farrelly (Navan O'Mahonys)
Jackie Farrelly, who died in April 2003 after a long illness, served Navan O’Mahony’s as PRO, County Board delegate and Secretary.
An affable, patient character who took a genuine interest in the welfare of the club’s players, in particular those who were injured in the service of the club.
His tenure on the club’s executive committee coincided with one of the most successful eras in O’Mahony’s 55-year history. Between 1985 and 1990 the Keegan Cup was an almost permanent fixture at the Brews Hill based club with the club winning the SFC five times in six years.
In 1985, O’Mahony’s clinched the senior double when winning the SHC for the first time by beating Killyon in the final. The following year they retained the Jubilee Cup with a 4-8 to 3-7 success at Athboy’s expense.
Despite reaching the semi-final on three occasions since (1999, 2002 and 2003) and winning a host of underage titles the club has not contested a senior hurling final since.
A major development during Jackie’s term as secretary was Navan O’Mahony’s decision to merge with the De La Salle Juvenile Club. There were strong links between the clubs and the latter had been an effective nursery for O’Mahony’s for many years.
The ‘Salles’ as it was popularly known was founded by the De La Salle brothers who ran Scoil Mhuire on Abbey Road. Due to falling numbers, the order severed their links with the town in 1976.
By the late eighties, forward looking people at the club, Jackie among them, felt it was time to amalgamate the two clubs under a common identifiable umbrella.
The amalgamation took place in 1989 and led to an unprecedented wave of success at underage level in both hurling and football and the young people who participated in the Saturday morning coaching sessions at Brews Hill are now making their mark at adult level.
To mark the Centenary of the GAA in 1984, Jackie, as PRO of the club, compiled a history of Navan O’Mahony’s. It drew mainly from newspaper cuttings and from other sources and is an invaluable reference to the first 36 years of the club’s history.
In his final year as Secretary, the club took part in a special celebration on March 15, 1996 to mark the centenary of the first All-Ireland finals to be played at Croke Park. 100 years earlier to the day, the Pierce O’Mahony’s club, representing Meath, were narrowly beaten by Tipperary, represented by Arravale Rovers in the 1895 football final.
A native of New Lane, he worked with Navan Steel Products and Burke and Locke before turning to farming, an occupation he took to with great relish until his final illness.
Gaelic Games were not his sole pastime. For many years he performed on stage around the country with the successful Navan Pioneer Players under producer Bobby Byrne. Jackie was a versatile performer who undertook a number of roles during his acting years.
A deeply religious man he served the parish in a number of roles, as a Minister of the Eucharist and of the Word in addition to acting an organiser for various events within the parish.
He is survived by his wife Helen, brother Tommy, sister May, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Brian McKeown (Navan O'Mahonys)
The late Brian McKeown left his mark on three GAA clubs in the county, Flathouse, St. Paul’s and latterly Navan O’Mahony’s before his untimely death after a short illness on February 24, 2003 just two days prior to his 68th birthday.
For over thirty years, until his retirement in 1990, he served as a member of the Garda Síochána in Drogheda, Duleek, Dunboyne and Navan as well as at the Garda Depot in the Phoenix Park.
During his time in Dunboyne, he was an active member of the now defunct Flathouse GFC and was manager/trainer of the side that won the 1965 JFC and was secretary of the club at the time of its suspension in the 1970s.
As one of two members of the club not sanctioned, he went on to become a member of the St. Paul’s club, which he served as chairman, secretary and County Board delegate. Even after he left the club Brian maintained an interest in their progress would have been disappointed to see them lose their JFC status recently.
Shortly after his transfer to Navan, he threw his lot in with the O’Mahony’s club and apart from fulfilling the roles of Secretary and County Board delegate, he made himself useful in a lot of other ways. This included putting his skills as a painter and director, an occupation he pursued before joining the Garda Síochána in 1957, at the disposal of the club.
He also helped run the successful Talent competitions at the club and was one of the organisers of the weekly Bingo which still forms a part of the club’s vital fund-raising activities. Unfortunately his wish to see Irish Dancing and Set Dancing at the club wasn’t fulfilled.
As Secretary of the club in the late seventies and early eighties, he took great interest in the welfare of the players and saw to it that there was tea or soup available after training sessions.
His time as Secretary coincided with a very successful era at Brews Hill. 1979 proved to be a particularly successful year. Not alone did the club win the SFC and the IHC, but in an era before the Provincial and All-Ireland Club championship acquired the kudos they enjoy today, O’Mahony’s were regular winners on the popular tournament circuit.
They won the prestigious Garda Guinness event beating the All-Ireland champions Nemo Rangers in the final and retained the title beating another Cork stronghold, St. Finbarr’s the following year.
Brian was a founder member of the Meath Sheltered Workshop and gave unstinting service to it as both Chairman and Secretary for many years.
As an active member of Rehab, he helped organise a re-run of the 1966 All-Ireland Football Final between Meath and Galway at Pairc Tailteann in aid of the Meath Branch in the late seventies. For many years he was a fixture at Fairyhouse Cross directing traffic on big race days. Brian was also a founder member of Dunboyne Credit Union.
A lifelong pioneer, he enjoyed nothing better than a good yarn while smoking his pipe. Universally popular, the large crowd at his funeral, at which members of the Navan O’Mahony’s and St. Paul’s joined forces to provide a guard of honour, was a testament to the esteem in which he was held.
Brian had a keen interest in the fortunes of O’Mahony’s long before he joined club. His wife Mona is a member of the O’Toole family, and her brothers Peter and Ollie have a long association with the club. Mona and her late sister, Kitty (Dungan) were active members of the club’s ladies committee.
Brian is also survived by four children, Sean, Brian, Teresa and Imelda and five grandchildren, Alan, Lisa, Brian, Daniel and Shauna as well as his brothers Michael, Gerry and Peter. He was predeceased by another brother, Pat.
Though he never played the game competitively, Brian was stepped in the GAA. His father James was a founder member of the Clones club and shortly before his final illness he was pleased to hear that a fellow Clones man, Brendan Murray was appointed to lead Navan O’Mahony’s back to ranks of senior football.

Brian O’Broin (Rathcairn)
The entire Louth and Meath communities were shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden death of 37-year-old Brian O’Broin on Friday June 13th 2003. Brian is remembered as a musician, artist and teacher who was dedicated to the promotion of Irish language and culture, and belonged to a great family with a very deep love for Irish language and music, culture and tradition.
On the GAA front, Brian will be remembered as a magnificent hurler. He played for Wolfe Tones at all levels and also had the distinction of representing Louth at U14, U16, minor and senior grades. He won U14, Feile Na nGael, U16, minor and senior championships with the Tones and also played gaelic football, winning an U14 championship with St Nicholas.
Brian found his natural home in Rathcairn in the Meath Gaeltacht where he taught Irish and art classes to children. A fluent Irish speaker, like his mother Maura, he regularly appeared on both TG4 and Raidio na Gaeltachta where he had many friends and admirers. The deceased has a passion for music and travelled to the USA (along with brother Micheal) as a member of the Drogheda Brass Band in 1977 and ‘78. He learned to play Irish music with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and was also associated with the mandolin, banjo and bodhran. He formed his own traditional Irish band ‘Scadan Rua’ and compiled, self-produced and released a CD of Irish dance music ‘Ceol don Cheili in November 2002.
Brian’s father Micheal, who hails from Kilkenny is well known in Louth GAA circles as a County Board gaelic officer and tireless hurling development officer. Busloads of summer students came from Colaiste na bhFiann in Rathcairn and formed a Guard of Honour at Brian’s removal, as did members of Wolfe Tones hurling club. A Garda escort was also provided (as Brian was a former member of the force).
Offertory gifts included his hurling helmet, hurley and sliothar, some art and his CD. There were presented by cousins Patricia Byrne, Deirdre Allen, Liam Byrne, Michael Finn, Angela Power and former Kilkenny and current Tipperary hurler Denis Byrne.

James V Hayes, Skryne
An appreciation
The death of Jim Hayes was poignant in its suddenness and especially after he had made a complete recovery from hip surgery.
Aged 76 years, he had over 40 years, played a dynamically central role in the administration of many parish institutions and associations, taking the burden of authority, responsibility and work on his broad shoulders. And he always did it in a quiet and humble manner, which were the central characteristics of his innate gentleness.
The same gentleness which so shone out of his 10 grandchildren made their regular visits to Skryne such fun and love filled days.
From whatever perspective you viewed Jim Hayes, he was a big man. Big in stature, big in generosity, big in courage, big in his goodness to his fellow neighbour, big - so very, very big - in his love of family and biggest of all in his devotion to his religion and his God. Just as he invested all his vigour and enthusiasm in any task handed to him, so was he similarly committed to his Faith, his daily Mass and, in particular, the Rosary. The beads constantly intertwined his fingers, never more so than when he drove his car. He often judged a journey’s length by the number of rosaries he “got in”.
And, of course, he loved his politics. An uncle he never knew, but who was Jim’s folk ‘hero’ inspired them. As chronicled in his son Liam’s award-winning book “Out of our Skins” an account of his years with the Meath senior football team, Volunteer Jim Hayes was shot dead on 20th November 1922, in a battle with Free State troops in his native Tipperary. That shaped the politics of the Hayes families of Tipperary, Kilkenny and Carlow. It also saw another of Jim’s uncles, the late Sean Hayes’ represent North Tipperary in the Oireachtas for almost 30 years as either a TD or Senator.
Jim Hayes was reared in Bennekerry on the outskirts of Carlow town. Football was an early love of his life and together with his two brothers, Paschal (now deceased), and younger brother Sean, backboned a Palatine team that fought strongly for county honours on a pretty consistent basis. Jim was just 19 years of age when he was first handed the Carlow senior jersey, which he wore with pride for 10 years, as either a midfielder or a physically formidable full-forward.
The highlight of his years in the Carlow jersey was reaching the National Football League final of 1954, even though it ended in a runaway victory for the great Mayo team of that era.
He came to Meath in the early 1950s as part of the rural electricification scheme and it was while in consultation with the then school principal, the late Brian Smyth, that he first laid eyes on Margaret Smyth and “set his cap” at her. In June of 1957 they married and settled down in his native Carlow, where he then worked for the Revenue Commissioners. A change of duty brought him to Dublin and he decided to re-locate to Skryne and re-unite Margaret with her father and family.
They had five, lovely, healthy children but, in 1983 were visited by a tragedy of immense proportions when their eldest son, Gerard, a graduate of Maynooth College, feeling his personal inadequacy to appropriately respond to the injustices and harshness of the world as he saw it, ended his life in the place he loved most, Fr McManus Park, Skryne. Previously that afternoon, he had played there for Skryne in a junior game with Seneschalstown.
It was a devastating blow for the household and while the two men folk were able to get on with their lives - the girls - and particularly his mother - could never separate their lives from their loss. Yet, good - and some great good - soared for his loss and today and everday Margaret Hayes offers unique comfort and understanding to hosts of people who have suffered a similar trauma. In that respect, the 24-year life of Gerard Hayes was vindicated.
Jim was not long in Skryne until he became involved with under-age football. He formed an early alliance with two other men who had ‘married’ into Skryne, the late Michael Ryan (senior) and Jimmy Finnerty, the heads of two households which produced from their own ranks almost enough footballing talent to form the backbone of an entire parish team on their own.
Together they nurtured an extraordinary explosion of skilful youngsters and produced a team which dominated under age football in Meath for the best part of five or six years. And from those ranks eventually came men of exceptional footballing excellence, such as Padraig Finnerty, Colm O’Rourke and Liam Hayes all of whom, under the guidance of Sean Boylan helped restore Meath football to a position among the best in the country.
But there were other organisations and institutions to which Jim turned his attention and his extraordinary organising abilities. A life-long member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, he threw his considerable weight behind the institution and accomplished an enormous amount of work for the association. So much so that he was posthumously awarded the Fr. Cullen medal for outstanding service. And yet, Jim would be the first to buy a drink if the environment required it and was never critical of those who imbibed, even to the extent of over-indulgence.
The pilgrimage with invalids to Lourdes and Sunday excursions to Knock were annual affairs to which he lent his considerable support as he did to the organisation of fund-raising events in the local parochial hall. In fact, little good happened in the parish down through those years without the touch of Jim Hayes on it somewhere along the line. And, thankfully, he found bands of willing volunteers to various causes with whom he found it easy to work and who found him good to work with.
He also had a great love of the Irish language and promoted it inside and outside the home whenever the opportunity arose.
His home was an open house to everybody and occasionally it represented a mini-hotel as people came and went and feasted on the delicacies which Margaret prepared, but Jim provided. And as they went the big man unerringly said: “And thanks for coming.”
And then, just as the summer he so loved beckoned, his Maker saw fit to take him home and home to Heaven. Because Jim had led an extraordinary life of goodness and holiness. And the God in which he had so much faith surely now has him by his side.
No. Jim Hayes was not just a big man. He was a giant of a man.
- DS.

Eamon Dargan (Baconstown)
A very popular and respected figure in south Meath, Eamon devoted a lifetime of activity to his beloved Baconstown. The owner of a country store on the road into Enfield, he promoted Royal County Yearbook ever since its birth back in 1986. Eamon was also involved in a number of other organisations and at one stage was Chairman of Meath Community Games. A great character, he was a brother of Vincent, the former county hurler.

Patricia Brady (Liscartan/Wexford)
Patricia was the wife of well known referee Paddy.

John Lynch (Dunshaughlin/England)
John was on the Dunshaughlin team which gained junior championship honours in 1950, the first ever team from Dunshaughlin to win a county title. Later emigrating to England, he was back home for the 50th celebrations of that success in 2000.

John O’Brien (Syddan/England)
Part of an old and respected north Meath family, John was an uncle of former Royal County stars Gerry McEntee and Cormac Rowe. But Messrs McEntee and Rowe did not lick it off the ground as John was an outstanding footballer in his youth. So good that while studying to become a doctor in UCD, he was a regular on Combined University selections who took on an Ireland combination. His studies prevented a prolonged run in the county colours. John was also the brother of former Syddan great and President of Ballinlough Phil O’Brien.

Marcella McDonnell (Carnaross)
Marcella was a huge football supporter, both of Carnaross and the Royal County. Her husband Malachy is a staunch Carnaross clubman and all her children, Ciaran, Niall and Eimear play for the north Meath club. Marcella was buried in her native Ballinlough and huge crowds were in attendance for both the burial and removal. Marcella’s uncle Jim Roche is President of Ballinlough while her brother Michael Kavanagh featured on the Oldcastle team who contested the Meath senior decider of 1998 with Dunboyne.

Catherine (Kitty) Cooney (Ballinabrackey)
From a well known south Meath GAA family. Her sons are active members of the Ballinabrackey club. One of these Jim, recently served as Meath Minor Board Chairman.

John Joseph Maguire (Kells)
A native of Blacklion in Cavan and the owner of the popular JJ Maguires public house in Kells. His sons gave the local club Gaeil Colmcille fine service.

Michael Finnegan (Nobber)
A keen sportsman who at various stages played for the old Fordstown team, Cortown and Nobber.

Peter McGinley (Kells/Donegal)
Peter, a garda was stationed in Kells and served as a goalkeeper on the Donegal Under 21 team of 1959.

William Murray (Navan)
William was from the St. Marys Park area of the town and the last surviving member of the 1932 De La Salle junior championship winning team. His grandchildren are involved with both O’Mahonys and Simonstown.

Mary Downey (Rathkenny)
Mary was 90 years of age and from a family with close associations with Rathkenny.

Aidan Kavanagh (Navan/Dublin)
Aidan was left half forward on the winning Dublin All-Ireland minor team of 1954. Kerry were the opposition and it was his late goal which claimed a narrow 3-3 to 1-8 victory for the Sky Blues. Meath beat the Kingdom in the senior decider that same afternoon and shortly after Aidan Kavanagh moved to the Royal County. In 1965 he won a senior double, the hurling with Kilmessan and a football title with Skryne. The Kavanagh family bought a house in Blackcastle, Navan and became heavily involved with the local Simonstown club. Paul Kavanagh was the first player from the Gaels to line out for Meath, in the Leinster minor championship during the early 80s and in 1989 another son Alan did likewise. Although his family were firm supporters of the Meath team, Aidan remained a true Dubliner at heart and was popularly known as Dublin’s biggest supporter in Navan.

Mannix Harte (Knockumber)
Mannix was a great supporter of the Meath team and of gaelic games. His grandsons Colm and Seamus Harte are stars of the Dunderry senior team.

Michael Black (Kells)
Michael was often described as the father figure of Kells handball. He could proudly point to 60 years of association with the Kells club and members formed a guard of honour for both his removal and funeral.

Paddy Joyce (Bellewstown)
Paddy originally hailed from Partry in Mayo and was a great follower of gaelic games.

Mollie Walsh (Kells)
Mollie was a teacher by profession. Her sons Morgan and Michael were excellent footballers and Morgan was a vital part of the great Gaeil Colmcille team of the late 60s and early 70s.

Matthew Kevin (Ballinacree/Oldcastle)
Matthew was one of the great characters of north Meath football. He played with his local St. Brigids, Ballinlough for a spell and later became actively involved behind the scenes with Oldcastle. A couple of years past Matthew and his good friend Eamonn Moore coached an Oldcastle underage team to a county success. Eamonn Moore will tell you the great craic we had with Matthew when we interviewed Eamonn himself. As a player Matthew usually lined out between the posts while his son Patrick is one of the top forwards on the Oldcastle intermediate team. News of his death was announced to the crowd at the Meath-Mayo NFL game in Navan last March. Then we had no idea that this was the same 53 year old Matthew Kevin but it later emerged that he died while acting as a linesman in a home reserve league game against Moynalvey that morning. There was a huge GAA representation from all local clubs at his funeral and removal. A very active fundraiser for Oldcastle, he was one of the main driving forces behind the club’s successful lotto and bingo. As a writer on the Meath website adequately put it “Rest in peace Mattie Kevin of Oldcastle, a man who gave his all for football, who loved and sadly died for football yesterday.”

Daniel Hayes (Athboy/Kerry)
Daniel, a garda came to reside in Athboy in 1964. His sons Donal, Andrew and Michael gave great service to Athboy hurling and football and indeed Meath hurling. Andy was the successful manager of the 2002 Nobber junior championship winning team, while grandson Andrew junior was a Meath minor football star in 2002 and 2003.

Nicky Kennedy (Garlow Cross and England)
A member of a well known family, Nicky was all of 93 years old. In his youth he hurled with both Kilmessan and Oberstown and played his football with Skryne. He was a vital cog in the Blues team who won Meath senior football championship honours for the first time in 1940 and was regarded as a terrific athlete. Nicky married Molly Maguire from Kilmessan and his ashes were interred in the family plot on the Hill of Tara. He was a grand uncle of present day Walterstown star Joey Farrelly.

Kate Boyle (Navan)
From Parnell Park, Kate played camogie in her youth for the Commons. The affairs of the Meath senior football team always remained close to her heart.

Molly Shanley (Carlanstown)
A big supporter of the Meath team, Molly was actively involved in community affairs in the Carlanstown-Kilbeg area. Originally from Lobinstown her late brother Joe Norris was a familiar figure with Meath GAA supporters.

Breen Murray (Longwood)
Breen was a member of a very popular south Meath GAA family. A farmer by trade, he had the distinction of winning the All-Ireland Ploughing Championship back in 1943.

James Woods (Ratoath)
Jimmy was a former member of the Ratoath club.

Patrick Lynch (Moynalty and Virginia)
Patrick was a member of a well known and popular Moynalty family. He was an outstanding footballer with Moynalty and later when moving over the county boundary became heavily involved with the Munterconnacht club.

Bill Rennicks (Ardbraccan)
A member of one of Meath’s greatest GAA familys, Bill rarely missed a game involving the county.

Catherine Lynch (Navan/Kentstown)
Catherine originally hailed from Parnell Park in Navan and was a sister of the famous Ratty brothers. She was a great supporter of both the O’Mahonys and the Meath senior footballers.

Ann Garvey (Baile Ghib/Kerry)
Ann was a sister in law of County Board Chairman Fintan Ginnity and grandmother of Meath minor Cian Ward.

Tommy Lynch (Oldcastle/England)
Tommy moved to Brighton 50 years ago but never forgot his native north Meath and was a keen follower of the Meath footballers. He was buried in Moylagh cemetery.

John O’Dwyer (Dunshaughlin)
Johnny’s family need no introducing to the GAA fraternity in Meath. He was one of five brothers involved in the junior championship winning side of 1967. Earlier John was a member of the Dunshaughlin team who beat Rathmolyon in the Junior B decider of 1957. He was also a useful hurler and was the brother of present day Dunshaughlin Chairman and former referee Paddy O’Dwyer.

Oonagh Farrelly (Kilmainhamwood)
Oonagh, a member of the Keogan family, was widow of the former Dail Deputy and Senator, the late Dennis Farrelly. She was also the mother of former TD John Farrelly. John, like all the Farrellys, played with the ‘Wood and was a corner back on the winning Meath Leinster minor team of 1972. Another son, Dennis was heavily involved with the Meath County Board for years while Pat Farrelly’s firm, College Proteins sponsored the Meath Intermediate Championship of 2003.

Thomas Murtagh (Ross)
Although living in Dublin for many years, Thomas was a great supporter of Meath football.

Rita O’Brien (Rathmolyon/Longford)
Rita worked in the bar trade. For many years in PV Fallons in Longford and later in the Shannon Key West in Rooskey. She was extremely popular with all her customers and to quote from the local Longford Leader: “While a fiercely proud Meath woman, Longford was very much her second home. Like all true Meath people she took her horseracing and GAA very seriously. She delighted in the recent successes of Sean Boylan’s team and she wore her Meath colours very much on her sleeves.” Rita’s funeral mass took place in Rathmolyon and she was buried afterwards in Kill cemetary.

Maeve Keoghan (Dunsany)
From a family long associated with Kilmessan hurling club. Indeed in recent times her family were sponsors of the club. In her earlier years, Maeve had played camogie for both Kilmessan and Meath. Fittingly, members of the club and Meath camogie board formed a guard of honour at her funeral. A little story concerning Maeve showed her overwhelming loyalty to the Meath senior football team. Just before the Meath-Galway All-Ireland Final of 2001, she was supposed to go into hospital but choose to postpone the event in order to cheer on her beloved Royals.

Frank Cassidy (Kilmainhamwood)
A number of Frank’s sons played for the ‘Wood at various levels and both Kilmainhamwood and Nobber clubs formed a guard of honour at his funeral.

Breege (Bridie) O’Brien (Stamullen/Australia)
Breege was originally from Mayo but became very much a part of the Stamullen community. A regular follower of not only club football in the county, she remained a big supporter of both the green and gold and the green and red.

Thomas (Tommy) Martin (Slane/Carrick-on-Shannon)
A native of Slane, Tommy moved to Leitrim circa the late 1940s, early 1950s. His wife Claire died in 1963 and he reared his family of four children on his own. Among these was Michael Martin, who played for Leitrim and Connacht during the 1970s, 80s and was a big star against the Australians during the 1980s.

Desmond (Dessie) O’Toole (Ratoath)
Dessie was 82 years of age and a noted footballer for his native Ratoath.

Phil Quigley (Kells)
An avid supporter of both Gaeil Colmcille and Meath teams, Phil lined out with the old Kells Harps side and was part of the Gaeils junior championship winning combination of 1966.

Richard (Dick) Mitchell (Navan)
Dick was originally from Rathfeigh and was well known for his tireless fundraising activities. His son Trevor wore the county colours at under 14 and minor level while Trevor’s own family are involved with Simonstown.

Michael Carr (Kells)
Michael belonged to one of the oldest and most respected families in Kells. A family renowned for their musical ability and also their love of gaelic games. Michael was a huge supporter of the Meath team and a number of his sons played with the local Gaeil Colmcille club. The best known was Paul who was a regular fixture at centre field for the Gaeils for well over a decade.

Peter Foran (Navan/Cork)
Although working and living in the Rebel County, Peter never forgot his roots and was a huge follower of the Meath team.

Sinead Beakey (Julianstown)
Sinead was the daughter of former Meath and St. Colmcilles star Brendan. Aged only 23, she was tragically diagnosed with cancer five years previous and bravely fought her illness. Always cheerful, she was a huge follower of the Meath team. At Sinead’s funeral possession, the local Colmcilles formed a guard of honour and among the offertory gifts was her beloved green and gold jersey.

Paudge Lynch (Carnaross)
Well known for driving Carnaross underage and school teams to all parts of the county. Paudge was not alone a follower of the local club but a devoted Meath supporter and never let a wrong word be said about his beloved Royals.

Kathleen Kearney (Oldcastle)
Nee Tuite, Kathleen was married to Donal Kearney, a former District Justice in Dublin and Meath and a key player on the fine Oldcastle team of the 1940s.

James Crosby (Tankardstown)
James played with the old Martry club before emigrating to England.

Ena Johnson (Dunsany/Birmingham)
Ena was a member of the Reilly family from Killeen, Dunsany. She was the wife of the late Kevin Johnson. The Skryne great was a vital part of the Meath squad of 1939. Unfortunately, Kerry had all the luck on All-Ireland final day. Kevin was a regular on various Royal County teams during the 40s and in 1947 was centre half forward on the Meath junior XV which gained All-Ireland honours.

Leo Johnson (Skryne)
Leo was from a grand old GAA family who have served both club and county with distinction

Kathleen Feeney (Dunderry)
Kathleen was heavily involved in all parish activities and was a noted fundraiser for Dunderry hurling and football clubs

Jim Reynolds (Trim)
Jim came from a well known Trim family and his mother Mary, who taught in Kilmessan at the time, was responsible for the changing of the Kilmessan hurlers colours in the early part of the century. At that time they lined out in all white jerseys but Mary sewed a blue riband around each individual jersey, thus creating the new club colours.

Brigid Donohoe (Kingscourt)
Brigid was a member of the Yorke family and was the wife of the great Peter Donohoe, a Cavan star of the late 40s.

Brendan Callan (Drumconrath)
One of the Callan family synonymous with Drumconrath GAA. Brendan played on the 1963 JFC winning team. He passed away in the USA and was buried in Drumconrath in early August.

John P O’Halloran (Drumconrath/Tipperary)
A Tipperary man and father of 10, he and his wife Mary celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary this year. His son PJ won a NFL with Meath in 1975. Another son Peter, is present secretary of Drumconrath. JP’s grandsons are prominent with both Nobber and Drumconrath juvenile clubs and both units formed guards of honour at his funeral.

Tommy Flanagan (Drumconrath)
Tommy was a brother of Jack, who played on the victorious junior winning team of 1928. His grandsons Derek and Kevin featured on the ‘96 side while another, Brian, is a present player. Tommy was a great Drumconrath supporter and never missed a game in any grade.

Anne Smith (Culmullen)
Anne was the mother of Drumree hurling players Seamus and Pauric Smith. She died in the week leading up to the club’s intermediate hurling final clash with Clann na nGael. A minutes silence was held in her memory prior to the Pairc Taiteann showdown.

Thomas Egan (Trim)
Thomas established the popular Bon Bon shop in Trim back in 1947. A more than useful hurler he, along with his brother Joe, won senior hurling championship medals with the town team.

Paddy Finnegan (Kilmainhamwood)
A great supporter of Meath and Wood teams, Paddy was a brother of Tony, a well known figure in north Meath GAA circles.

Lee Cromwell (Kilskyre/Kiltale)
Lee, who tragically died at a young age, was a very talented hurler and while at Kiltale NS captained the team.

Tom Sheridan (Slane/Wilkinstown)
Tom was a great supporter of the Meath team and in his youth frequently cycled to Croke Park in support of the Royals.

Rosanne Hopkins (Kells)
From a very respected Kells family, Rosanne’s late father Paddy was Mr GAA in north Meath for years and was highly involved with both the old North Meath Board and the County Board.

Charlie Reilly (Moynalty)
Charlie played all grades with his local club and was on the Moynalty team beaten by Curraha in a junior decider some 50 years ago. He held all official positions within the club and never missed a game featuring his beloved Reds. In later years, he became involved in the underage side of things and his sons gave Moynalty wonderful service.

Patrick Everard (Ratoath)
The grand old man of GAA in Ratoath, Patrick was a former Chairman of the Meath Hurling Board during the 1960s. He served the GAA in many capacities and was a member of the selection committee when Meath beat Cork in the All-Ireland final of 1967. A referee from a very young age, Patrick was also chairman of his local club. He was Ratoath’s Sean Gael at the 2002 presentation. Mourners at his funeral included Presidents of Meath County Board, Matty Gilsenan and Peter McDermott, Chairman Fintan Ginnitty and 1949 stars Brian Smyth and Mick O’Brien.

Patrick Stenson (Longwood)
Patrick’s son Eamonn, who played for quite a spell with Killyon and Meath, still lines out for Longwood. Another son PJ, is treasurer of the club.

Bernadette Kearney (Oldcastle)
Bernadette’s husband Paddy has been involved with Oldcastle GAA for decades and served in every official role including that of chairman. Her son Paddy won an intermediate medal with the club in 1987.

Elizabeth Gilsenan (Ballinacree)
Elizabeth’s family are highly involved in the St. Brigids club and her son Hugh won an All-Ireland junior medal with Meath in 1988.

Jane Kelly (Ballivor)
Jane’s family are heavily involved with the local club. Jimmy was Ballivor chairman during 2003 and also acted as a selector on the victorious Meath junior team.

Pat Devin (Oldcastle/Kells)
A great follower of GAA events, Pat played for the old Millbrook club and was a cousin of 1939 All-Ireland star Kevin Devin

Rosemary McKenna (Lobinstown)
A native of nearby Castletown, Rose was involved in a number of community affairs. The welfare of both the Syddan and Meath teams was always close to her heart.