Archive for category: RIP

It was with profound sadness and a sense of loss that the Leitrim GAA community learned last evening of the passing of our serving County Safety and Facilities Officer, the late Gerry McGovern, after a brief illness. Indeed, no later than Monday, May 12th last, Gerry attended our Management Committee meeting and County Committee meeting and reported to the meetings in his usual meticulous manner, providing updates on the various projects that he was actively pursuing.

The late Gerry dedicated a huge portion of his life to GAA matters, from his playing days with his native Cloone GAA and Leitrim GAA, followed by a very successful refereeing career, right through to his massive involvement in GAA administration at all levels of the Association. While he represented Cloone GAA on the playing fields at all levels, with varying degrees of success, his finest playing hour came in 1980 when Cloone captured the Fenagh Cup to be crowned Leitrim SFC Champions with a 2-9 to 0-9 victory over their near-neighbours Gortletteragh. This victory placed the icing on the cake of a most historic year for Cloone GAA, as it coincided with the opening of St. Mary’s GAA Park in the same year, a project Gerry was also heavily invested in, along with his entire community.

As his playing days came to an end, Gerry threw his lot in with refereeing and quickly moved through the ranks to become one of Leitrim’s finest. As with all tasks undertaken by Gerry, he did so with care and attention, ensuring that he was on top of his game at all times. Gerry became a member of the National Referees’ Panel and took charge of many important assignments at inter-county level. While taking charge of a multitude of club finals at all ages and grades, he was the ‘man in the middle’ of the Leitrim Senior Football Championship Finals of 1993 and 1999. One could be sure that no matter if the game was at under-12 or senior level, Gerry treated all refereeing assignments with the same level of high respect and attention.

While Gerry served his local club in a variety of officer roles over his playing days and while refereeing, he gave freely of his time towards the administration of GAA matters with Leitrim GAA. In his role as Assistant Secretary to Coiste na nÓg, then known as Bord na nÓg, in the 1990s, he shared in the administration that was in place to facilitate the great Connacht MFC success of 1998, a team captained by Cloone’s Seamus Maguire, which was a source of great pride to Gerry. He became an officer of Leitrim GAA Senior Administration, serving in a multitude of roles from the Leitrim GAA Supporters Club and leading a variety of other fundraising ventures.

He assumed the role of Vice Chairman in the early 2000s and, on our first venture to play New York in the Connacht SFC in 2003, was instrumental in organising the Supporters’ Club trip to the Big Apple, which was of invaluable assistance to many who were travelling stateside for the very first time. Gerry became Chairman of Leitrim GAA in 2005 and immediately set about the redevelopment of Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada with the planning and delivery of the New Stand facility, which commenced immediately following the SFC Final of that year. The reopening of the new facility in 2007, which was and continues to be the envy of many, was the culmination of two years of planning, which involved much fundraising and accessing a variety of grant funding. To this end, Gerry was the organiser-in-chief, and he surrounded himself with many fine helpers who delivered on the project. Almost running parallel with this project was the finalisation of the acquisition of the property that currently houses our Centre of Excellence in Annaduff. These were two mammoth simultaneous projects undertaken by Leitrim GAA, which will stand us in good stead into the future. While the ultimate development of the COE was stalled for a period of time, due to economic considerations, nonetheless it progressed nicely during Gerry’s tenure. Indeed, as it readied for its official opening in 2019, Gerry was again to the fore in the ‘Brick in the Wall’ fundraising campaign, which contributed greatly to its ultimate delivery.

Before concluding his five-year term as Chairperson in 2009, Gerry was a very proud man as he got the opportunity to present the Frank Reynolds Memorial Cup to his native Cloone as they captured the Leitrim Intermediate Championship title with victory in Ballinamore over Aughawillan. It was the perfect end to his term of office. On the conclusion of his role as Cathaoirleach, he took on the role of Connacht GAA delegate for Leitrim and thus began a road towards higher office. He was elected Vice Chairman of Connacht GAA in 2015 and, following the conclusion of his three-year term, became President of Connacht GAA in 2018, which was a singular honour for himself, his family, and all associated with Leitrim GAA. From 2018 to 2021, while holding the highest position within the province, he was also a member of Coiste Bainistíochta in Croke Park, holding the position of joint Vice President of the Association.

Far from that being the culmination of his service to the GAA at all levels, when this term concluded, Gerry became Leitrim GAA Safety and Facilities Officer and, in more recent times, gave everything of himself to ensure that the county, and by extension its clubs, had the very best of advice and aid in the pursuit of various projects that helped to improve the infrastructure and development in many club areas. His most recent interest at county level was in the redevelopment of Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada. Once again, surrounding himself with a very vibrant working group, the delivery of the new seating project in 2023 and the relaying of the new playing surface, recently reopened, was a source of great satisfaction for Gerry. At the recent Connacht Championship match versus Mayo, as he looked on, he had to be very satisfied with his endeavours on behalf of Leitrim GAA. Far from finished with development, unfortunately, recent illness prevailed, and his last engagement with Leitrim GAA concluded at the meetings on May 12th last.

Gerry McGovern was one of a kind, and we are privileged to have had him on our side. He was a trojan worker and leader, but was also a great raconteur and excellent company. He was a most approachable and affable human being. We have endured a great loss, but that pales into insignificance when we consider the loss he is to his beloved family circle. To his loving wife, Kathleen; his sons, Ciaran and Gavin; daughter Jacinta; daughters-in-law Alison and Sarah; Jacinta’s partner Daniel; his adored grandchildren, Dara, Jack, Rosie, and Mike; brothers Fr. Ciaran and Joe; sister-in-law Geraldine; nephews Ronan, Conor, and Kieran; and his extended family, we extend our most heartfelt sympathy.

Brendan Brennan, Railway Road, Ballinamore RIP

Brendan Brennan, one of Ballinamore’s and Leitrim’s greatest entertainers, passed away last night after a lengthy illness. Brendan was known throughout Leitrim and the surrounding counties as a comedian and actor who could entertain audiences on stage and in pubs and keep his audience in raptures. He was sought after as a DJ who would provide the music at all sorts of events, at festivals, weddings and parties of all sorts and intersperse it with his comedy acts.

Brendan was particularly famous for his performances in Scór, and his achievements on the stages of Leitrim, Connacht and All Ireland are legendary. In Nuachleas, Brendan was part of Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s novelty acts that dominated the county scene for many years, and he won 12 county titles and 11 Connacht titles between 1986 and 2015.  But the pinnacle of his success was in winning four All Ireland Novelty Act titles in 1996, 2001. 2002 and 2009.  Brendan won four county title in recitation and reached the All-Ireland finals in 2001 and 2013.

In the early days of local radio, Brendan presented his own programme on Breifne Radio for many years. Brendan Brennan also took part in stage performances with the Ballinamore Wren Boys and Cannaboe Liúdramans as well as providing the entertainment on the Sliabh an Iarainn Sunset boat tours that plied between Ballinamore and Garadice Lake and St John’s Lake for years. Brendan’s work as a haulage driver and bus driver took him all over the country and he was known in many places far beyond Leitrim and he would be engaged to do MC and entertainer over a broad area.

Brendan Brennan was born in Carrickallen, Co Cavan, but the family moved to Ballinamore when Brendan’s father took up a post as creamery manager in the local cooperative. Brendan was then a teenager.

Brendan’s wit and humour will be greatly missed in Ballinamore and Leitrim. His enthusiasm to perform and take part in any piece of stage fun and frolics was boundless and he was always available to help out with community events in any way he could.

Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s GAA would like to extend sympathy to Brendan’s wife, Vera, daughters Una, Sharon and Laura and sons Colm and Gavin, and relatives and friends. Details of funeral arrangements will be available on Rip.ie

Dia go deo leat a Bhreandáin, beidh cuimhne go deo againn ar na hoícheanta a bhaineamar sult as do chuid ghrinn ar stáitse.

Seán Ó Súilleabháin

Columba Cryan – Legendary Leitrim Footballer – ar shlí na Firinne 

Columba Cryan, a legendary figure on the Ballinamore and Leitrim football scene in the 1950s, passed away today, 5 May 2024.

Throughout 1950s, Columba was recognised one of Leitrim’s finest players, playing either at midfield or full forward. In 1952, Leitrim regraded to Junior, meaning that they opted out of the senior championship to concentrate on junior. It was a move which paid off as they won the Connacht Junior title. The All-Ireland semi-final was played in Pairc Sheáin Ui Eislin, before a reputed 5,000 attendance and, with Columba Cryan at full forward, Leitrim defeated Tipperary by 2-5 to 0-5. The final against Meath was in Breffni Park, but Leitrim lost.

Ten years later, in 1962, Leitrim again won the Connacht Junior title and Columba Cryan won his second Connacht Junior medal.

However, it was at senior level that Columba made his name as an outstanding player for Leitrim. In that glorious period (1957-1960) when Leitrim played in four Connacht finals in a row, all against Galway, Columba was a central figure in all of them. The nearest Leitrim got was to lose by two points in 1958, when Columba shaved the upright in the dying minutes. Columba’s brother-in-law, Leo Heslin from Aughavas, was a teammate on the Leitrim team in those years.

Leitrim’s most successful year ever, at National League level, came in 1959, when they reached the semi final, at a time when there were no divisions based on strength. Leitrim lost to Derry in Croke Park on that occasion, the only time Columba Cryan lined out for Leitrim in Pairc an Chrócaigh.

Ballinamore won the Senior Championship in 1956, largely due to a great midfield pairing of Columba Cryan and Brian Sweeney.  For many many years, Columba and Brian travelled to matches together, no doubt reliving the great games they played together. Columba was captain of that 1956 winning team and his brother Josie was centre-half back.

Columba was the only Ballinamore player to possess a coveted Railway Cup medal. He was on the Connacht panel when they won in the years 1957 and 1958.

Our sympathy to Columba’s wife, Kay, to his daughters, Fiona, Síne, Lisa, Pam and son Columba.

Suaimhneas na bhFlaitheas do cheann de na peileadóirí ab fhearr a d’imir le Liatroim agus cumann Sheáin Úi Eislin, Béal an Átha Móir.

 

Reposing on Monday, 6th May, at Smith’s Funeral Home, High St., Ballinamore, N41 TD62, from 4pm until 6.30pm. Removal on Tuesday, 7th May, from his home to arrive at St. Patrick’s Church, Ballinamore, for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in Oughteragh Cemetery, Ballinamore.

Ballinamore team, Leitrim Senior Champions 1956, captained by Columba Cryan

Leitrim GAA is greatly saddened to learn of the sudden and untimely death of Liam Flynn, Firhouse, Tallaght and formerly of Killarkin, Kiltoghert, County Leitrim. Liam is a former St Mary’s, Kiltoghert and Leitrim player who graced the field at all levels. He first came to notice as an Under 16 Player of note and in 1975 when Leitrim captured the first of its three Fr. Manning Cup titles Liam was the team leader as captain. In the same year, he was awarded the County Youth Player of the Year Award. What is remarkable by comparison with the current era, is that he played wing forward in his club’s 1975 SFC Final encounter with eventual champions, Ballinamore Sean O’ Heslin’s, while still Under 16.  Two years later, while still a Minor he was part of the historic Leitrim Under 21 Panel that captured the county’s first-ever Connacht Under 21 Championship. He was a starting player in the Connacht Final victory over Roscommon and joined the action as a second-half substitute in the All-Ireland semi-final versus Kerry. This particular group of players has been recognised both locally and indeed beyond our borders as the finest group of assembled players to ever represent the county at the underage level, running a star-studded Kerry selection to a mere 5 points after a thrilling encounter. Incidentally, he was joined on that panel by his brother Michael who lined out at corner back. He also captained the Leitrim Minor team in 1977 which was defeated by Mayo in the Connacht Final. He later went on to represent the County at Senior level. Liam had a stellar club career with his native St. Mary’s Kiltoghert and also played in the 1977 and 1983 County SFC Final defeats to Glencar/Manorhamilton and Aughawillan respectively.

Leitrim GAA offers its sincerest sympathies to his wife Marie, sons William and Sean and daughter Karen, his mother Elizabeth Flynn, brothers Michael, Pascal and Gary, sisters Kathleen, Theresa, Pauline, Betty and Deirdre, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and all extended family, neighbours and friends. Liam will be laid to rest on Saturday.

https://rip.ie/death-notice/liam-flynn-leitrim-533188

Brón ar an mbás sé dubh ár gcroíse! The sad news came through this morning of the death of Paddy O’Connor after a long battle with illness. Paddy was for years the “Hurling man” in our midst. A native of Moneygall, technically in Offaly, but a proud Tipperary man when it came to hurling. Paddy promoted hurling in the Ballinamore Seán O’Heslins club for many years and his proudest sporting day was when the club won the Leitrim Senior Hurling Championship in 2015. Another great occasion was when they won an under 14 National Féile na nGael title.

Paddy was involved with Leitrim teams at county level also and he was Cathaoirleach of the Leitrim Hurling Board up until December last. At county level, his most memorable occasion was when Leitrim won the Lory Meagher Cup in 2019. Indeed, Paddy attended Leitrim’s matches in this year’s Lory Meagher Cup against Monaghan and Lancashire.

At club level, Paddy O’Connor filled many roles. He was Rúnaí of Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s club from 2002 to 2006 and he was coordinator of the club Lotto until the onset of Covid halted the Lotto.  Fear é a bhí an-spéis sa Ghaeilge aige freisin. The club would like to extend sympathy to Paddy’s wife, Marie, sons Tadhg and Kevin and daughter Carl and extended family.

Dia go deo leis.

 

Pictured here are Paddy O’Connor and his son Kevin after winning the Leitrim Senior Hurling final in 2015.