Westmeath Obituaries 1999

The late Seamus Murtagh
Sunday, 24th January 1999 saw the passing of Seamus Murtagh, Faughalstown, to his eternal reward. News of his death was greeted with dismay and sadness throughout the community, as Seamus was a familiar and popular figure, as well as being a lifelong member of the Ringtown club, both as a player and supporter.
Seamus Murtagh’s involvement with Ringtown goes back to the 1930’s when, as a teenager, he soon showed that he could wield a camán with the best. His hurling skill and competence saw him rise from minor ranks to become a regular member and leading light of the senior team. The year 1942 was to be a very special one in his hurling career as Ringtown won the Senior Championship, beating a much fancied Clonkill team. Seamus played at centre half back on that occasion and was a key figure throughout the championship campaign.
Remarkably, Ringtown had previously won the Intermediate Championship that same year, and also annexed a Senior League title. The consistent performances of Seamus Murtagh earned him a place on the Westmeath team, and he was to represent his county in several matches.
For the next two decades, Ringtown hurling took a downward swing, as emigration took its toll on the Whitehall community. In the 1960s the club was non-existent. However, Seamus never lost interest in the game and was an enthusiastic supporter of the revived Ringtown club in the early 1970’s. He observed the highs and lows, triumphs and disappointments which our teams endured in the years since.
His proudest moments were when his son Vincent played in goals in both the 1977 Under 21 final victory over Brownstown and the 1987 Senior final in which Brownstown were also the defeated opposition. Up until the time of his death, Vincent was also Assistant Secretary of the club, and was a selector with last year’s senior team. Other sons Gerard and Noel both donned the Ringtown jersey at Senior, Junior, Under 21 and underage levels.
Overall, Seamus Murtagh’s contribution to Ringtown hurling spanned well over 60 years. From his early playing days of the 1930’s, the glory year of 1942, the emigration ravaged 1950s and 60s, the exciting rebirth of the club in the ‘70s, the two thrilling SHC victories in the 80’s, the ups and downs of the ‘90s and finally the building of our new complex; Seamus witnessed it all.
To coin a phrase, he saw both sides of it. His interest in hurling and knowledge of the game was second to none. Indeed, his enjoyment and interests were not confined to hurling. Seamus trained greyhounds and was a keen fisherman, and also loved horses. Having worked all his life as a farmer, he was well known and respected throughout the farming community of Co. Westmeath.
Seamus was as good a neighbour as one could have and his pleasant, easy going manner earned him the affection of people of all ages, from the Whitehall area and far beyond.
The Ringtown team of 1942 holds a special place in the hearts and minds of all club members. Seamus Murtagh and his comrades were first honoured with a presentation in the GAA Centenary Year of 1984 and then in 1992 a special function was held in their honour to mark the 50th anniversary of their great achievement. These were proud and joyous events for Seamus.
The death of Seamus Murtagh has left a huge void in the Ringtown club and the Whitehall community. The massive attendance at both his removal and funeral bore testimony to the esteem in which he was held by fellow parishioners and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His coffin was draped with Ringtown and Westmeath jerseys and a guard of honour was provided by Ringtown’s club members on the night of his removal.
The life long contribution and support of Seamus Murtagh towards our club is greatly appreciated and acknowledged by present day members. He will long be remembered in Ringtown, which now has more club members than ever, stretching over Whitehall, Coole and Streete. We mourn his loss, but we carry on the legacy and tradition of hurling that men of Seamus Murtagh’s calibre have left behind.
To his wife, Dolo; his sons Gerard, Vincent and Noel; sisters May and Doreen: brother Fr Colm: daughters-in-law, Pauline, Patricia and Claire; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends we extend our deepest sympathy. May he rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh ar a anam dilis.
(Ringtown H.C.)

The late John James Mulvey
Friday, March 12th 1999 will long be remembered in Ringtown. That day saw the passing of one of the club’s most great-hearted hurlers to his eternal reward. After a brave battle with illness, John James Mulvey was called ashore, leaving a numbing sense of grief and loss among his family, the closely knit Whitehall community and Ringtown Hurling Club.
John James was one of the first crop of young players who revived the ancient game of hurling in the area in 1972, following a barren spell of thirty years since a Championship had been won. These intervening years had seen Ringtown struggling with small numbers of players due to emigration and the club was eventually forced to fold.
However, this group of young lads with an abundance of hurling skill and fiery passion for the game were set and ready to inject new life and dynamism into the reformed club. The re-emergence of hurling in the parish of Coole/Whitehall caused a wave of excitement and passion throughout the community in the early 1970’s.
John James Mulvey’s style of hurling became apparent at an early stage in his hurling career. His uncompromising, block busting, tireless performances marked him out as a rock solid defender and formidable opponent. In 1974, just one year after our club was re-affiliated, Ringtown won the Junior Championship, defeating Turin on a scoreline of 6-8 to 5-3. John James played at right half back on that memorable day, having an excellent game. This was a most joyful occasion for the Ringtown supporters, particularly the younger fans who had never experienced the jubilant scenes and celebrations of a Championship victory for their own club before.
For the remainder of the 1970s, Ringtown failed to win any major honours at senior level, despite reaching a Feis Cup Final in 1976, and a Championship semi-final in 1978. Near neighbours Castlepollard defeated them on both occasions. During the highs and lows of this period, John James Mulvey was Ringtown’s most consistent player. He was a tower of strength in the backs and showed great dedication, fearlessness and endurance during every match and training session. His commitment to training and loyalty to his team was an inspiration to all.
1980 was a golden year in the history of Ringtown hurling as we emerged from being rank outsiders to win the Senior Championship. John James found himself playing in the forward line that year and displayed the same tenacity and determination as when operating in his more familiar position of defence. He contributed some vital scores during that glorious Championship campaign and his point in the final against Brownstown was one of the best seen in 1980. This senior title was undoubtedly the highlight of his hurling career, as he played one of his best ever games in the green and gold stripes of Ringtown, at the position of left corner forward.
Not only did Ringtown win the senior title that year, but they also clinched the Castlepollard seven-a-side competition and the Kilskyre tournament, beat Carlow Town in the first round of the Leinster Club Championship and were only beaten by three points by Wexford’s Rathnure, one of the most famous clubs in the country. It was also an especially successful year for the Mulvey family, as John James and his brother Thomas won Senior Championship medals with Ringtown while their sister Teresa won a Junior Camogie Championship medal with Crookedwood.
John James continued playing hurling throughout the 1980’s and in 1987 won another Championship medal when Ringtown staged a Lazarus-type recovery to pip Brownstown by a single point. Though he was a substitute for that game, he was involved in many of the earlier matches of that campaign. He was always willing to help out in the coaching of underage teams. The Under 12 and Under 14 players were of special interest to him, and he was an efficient and popular trainer. Shortly before his illness, he assisted the club several times by working at the construction of the new complex. He was employed for over twenty years in the Board of Works, Mullingar, and his fellow workers provided a guard of honour on the evening of his removal.
A guard of honour was also formed by the members of Ringtown Hurling Club at both the removal and funeral of John James Mulvey, the last fitting tribute that could be made to one of their own. Ringtown and Westmeath jersey were each placed on his coffin. Droves of people gathered from near and far to pay their last respects to John James. His death proved to be one of the most poignant and emotional occasions ever experienced by the local community.
A deep sense of loss and sadness was felt by the mourners assembled in Whitehall Chapel, yet one could also feel pride of place at being part of a community sovibrant and bonded together. We were a people united in grief on that sunny March weekend, as we bid farewell to a man loved and cherished by all who knew him.
The huge void in the Ringtown Club at the passing of John James Mulvey can only be a shadow of the grief and loss which his family now suffer. To his wife Olivia, daughter Sandra, sisters Marie, Eileen, Chrissie, Teresa, Breda and olive; brothers Thomas and Martin; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; aunts; uncle; cousins; nieces, nephews; relatives and many friends; we extend our heartfelt sympathy. Ar dheis De ar a anam dilis.
(Ringtown H.C.)

The late Ronan Daly
It was with a deep sorrow that we learned of the tragic death of Ronan Daly, Cloran, Athboy following an horrific accident on Saturday July 4th last.
Ronan was the captain of the 1998 minor team occupying a midfield position. Additionally, Ronan played at right corner back on our Junior team, a testament to his ability and fitness that he could at such a young age, slot so comfortably into the adult team in the club.
In 1996, his first season with the club, Ronan was an essential member of our victorious U16 team. Playing at centre half back he provided the backbone to the team that captured the first underage county championship for his beloved St. Paul’s.
During the 1996/97 season Ronan played for our minor team again bringing pride in the jersey to each and every game he played. Little did we think, that the Sunday prior to his death when we played near neighbours Delvin in the Championship at Collinstown that it was to be our last outing as a team with Ronan.
Ronan was a quite, mature young man, a gentleman on and off the field. Ronan was extremely talented as a footballer and any club in the country would have been excited to see such a great prospect maturing, as we in St Paul’s were.
We know that Ronan was a fine, likeable young man, who had just completed his studies in
Agriculture successfully. We cannot know how far he would have progressed but it is fair to say that the determination and discipline he brought to his training and playing exemplified a strong spirit which undoubtedly would have carried him forward to the highest level.
A deep sense of shock and sadness was felt by all of Ronan’s teammates, mentors, club members and supporters.
We must satisfy ourselves that during his all too brief life, we had the honour and privilege of meeting and playing with Ronan. Our lives are the better for having known Ronan. He was a great clubman and will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all who knew him.
We extend our deepest sympathy to his parents, Tommy and Imelda; sisters, Eileen, Ruth, Caroline, Mary-Rose, Ann-Marie and Eimear; grandmother, uncles, aunt grand-uncle, grand-aunt, cousins, relatives and a late circle of friends.

The late Jack Mangan
It is with deep sadness and regret that we record the death of Jack Mangan, late of South Hill, Delvin who passed away quietly on Friday, May 14 1999.
Aged 81, Jack was an outstanding hurler during his heyday, winning three Senior Championships with his beloved Delvin in 1949, ‘50 and ‘51. A strong, fast, reliable corner back, Mangan also helped the Valley men to a Junior League and Championship double in 1943 and was a Feis Cup medal winner in 1947.
An avid hurling supporter up until the time of his death, Jack Mangan’s passing leaves a deep void in the Delvin community. May he rest in peace.
(Delvin H.C.)