Do sad to convey news concerning the death of Robert 'Robbie' McCormack.

Robbie moved onto pastures greener yesterday, Saturday April 25th, after a long and courageous battle with illness in his adopted New York.

Robbie was a product of Parnell Park in Navan, just across the railway line from the stand in Pairc Tailteann and the very heartland of Navan O Mahonys. Born into a great GAA family, his father, the late Tony, captained O Mahonys to their first ever senior championship in 1953.

This occasion also marked the initial presentation of the Keegan Cup. Tony later went on to star on the great Navan O Mahonys side which claimed a famous five-in-a row of senior championships from 1957 to 1961. On retirement he served O Mathuna in various other roles.

Robbie had a lot to live up to on the football fields but was more than able for the task. Tall and rangy, he was an outstanding teenage prodigy, he was good at all sports.

Had the pleasure of sitting close to Robbie up to about Inter Cert in the old CBS in Kells. Then Pats lacked the fine facilities and standards of today. Kells was deemed a superior place of learning. 

Subsequently Robbie and a host of students, including his good friend Liam Dunne, took the CIE bus north and were allowed a 9.50 school starting time each morning.

Recall well the day he was brought up in front of the class and directed by an excited Brother to '' well McCormack, tell them what you did at the weekend''. Heads looked up, expecting the worst, something sensational had happened for at this stage Robbie was deemed a bit of a character and in every good sense of the word.

A humble, shy Robbie blurted out the words concerning some boxing match. Robbie McCormack had just won a Leinster boxing competition. But typical of the person he was almost embarrassed to receive any type of praise. Humility was a huge part of his make up.

We always knew that Robbie was going to make it as a footballer. A target man in soccer parlance, he had a terrific pair of hands, was adept at fielding the ball and laying it off to a better placed colleague.

Fast forward to Cusack Park, Mullingar in 1973. Meath were taking on the locals in a Leinster minor championship match and two McCormacks from the famed Salles were wearing the green and gold.. Robbie was a sub on this occasion but younger brother Barry had claimed one of the wing forward positions.

Barry was then regarded as an under age sensation in the county. Fast and skilful, in the typical O Mahonys mould, he did go on and play for the Meath seniors. 

He had that ability to claim as his own either the Meath number ten or twelve jersey for a decade. In turn Robbie would have commanded a regular place on the outstanding O Mahonys side of the late seventies/early eighties.

The seventies were a progressive decade, more and more of the younger generation decided to travel. Australia and the US were often the desired destinations. Some put down permanent roots, like the McCormack brothers who headed to the States. A pair of prodigious talents were lost to our games without even reaching a resemblance of their prime.

But the McCormack boys kept the good ship GAA very much alive in Manhattan. The very successful McCormacks Bar and Restaurant was often a meeting place for Meath, indeed all Irish people in the Big Apple.

Big screenes, big matches, be they rugby or soccer or GAA were the order of the day. Imagine the excitement as Meath strode to All Ireland glory under Sean Boylan. When the Meath club in New York was reformed all activity generally centered around McCormacks.

Robbie returned to visit Navan on many occasions. He had lost none of his popularity or charm. To conclude we add a remembrance quote from former Simonstown player Gene Lally who with his partner Serena also lives in the States '' we were privileged to spend time with Robbie at a number of Seanie Monaghan fights all over the USA. What great company we had and a great storyteller''.

You are at peace now Robbie, the yarns up above will be great and the craic with you around even better.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam. (JL)

Robbie's death notice on RIP.ie reads:

The death has occurred of Robert McCormack, Seacliff, New York and formerly of Parnell Park, Navan, April 25th 2020; peacefully, at Good Shepherd Hospice, Rockville Centre, N.Y. Robert, beloved husband and best friend to his devoted Kathleen; loving father to Thomas (Helen) and Caroline (Jimmy) and granddaughter Faye. Predeceased by his father Tony; he is survived by his mother Ita; brothers Barry and Martin; sisters Elaine, Maria and Fiona; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and extended family. Sadly missed by his family, relatives, neighbours, former work colleagues and a wide circle of friends. Funeral arrangements later.

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