OBITUARIES
FRIENDS WE LOST Eugene Sheelan (Riverstown, Wicklow) The late Eugene Sheelan of Wicklow town and formerly of Mountbagnel, Riverstown had the distinction of scoring championship goals for Louth at U21, junior and senior grades in the one year. He exploded onto the scene with St Patricks when winning a Ranafast Cup medal at the age of 16, defeating St Marys in the final. In 1972, he was Man of the Match as the Pats won the Louth junior football championship. He was also named Louth junior Footballer of the Year that same year. The Lordship man moved to Dublin later in the ‘seventies and was centre back on the Civil Service side that captured the Dublin SFC in 1980. Three years later, he rejoined St Patricks. Eugene debuted for the Louth seniors in 1969 and remained a regular up until 1978, mostly starting on the 40. He was midfield on the Wee County U21 team that captured the Leinster title in 1970. Eugene was the goalscorer when Louth last got the better of Dublin – in 1973. He starred as NFL winners Meath were beaten in the first round of the 1975 championship. Louth later went under to reigning All Ireland champions Dublin before 35,000 people in Navan. Bernie McGrory (Dunleer) Bernie McGrory (nee Geraghty), The Lynns, Annagasson, Dunleer, passed away on September 9th, 2012. Originally from Kilsaran, Bernie was involved with the O’Connells GFC ladies committee. The club provided a guard of honour at her removal. Jim Faulkner (Drogheda) The late Jim Faulkner from Wellington Quay passed away on June 27th, 2012. Synonymous with the electrical business FES, he was a talented gaelic footballer as a young man Nancy Wynne (Knockbridge) There was much sadness on Friday, August 24th, 2012 when news spread of the passing of Nancy Wynne, 81 Lisheen Park, Knockbridge. An avid camogie player in her youth, Nancy loved all sports and this was reflected in the number of local clubs which contributed to her guard of honour. Peadar Taaffe (Dowdallshill) The sudden passing on the morning of August 13th, 2012 of Peadar Taaffe from Ardee Terrace, Dundalk caused widespread shock and sadness. Peadar lined out with Dowdallshill in his youth but fishing was always his preferred hobby. Peter McCarthy (Cooley) It would be no exaggeration to describe
the late Peter McCarthy, Greenore Road, Carlingford – who passed away on July 11th, 2012 - as a Cooley Kickhams and Louth GAA legend. As a player with club and county, Peter was a strong and uncompromising midfielder. He won SFC medals with Cooley in 1973, ’76, ’77 and ’78 alongside his brothers Harry and Martin. Peter lined out in a total of nine senior championship finals, including his last year with the team - 1981. As well as the four SFCs, Peter also amassed a host of Cardinal O’Donnell and Old Gaels Cups. He came out of retirement in 1984 to play a key role in Cooley’s success in the Centenary ACC Cup final. Peter featured on the first Cooley side to contest a Leinster club final – against UCD in 1974 – and captained the Louth U21s to victory over Dublin in the first round of the 1970 Leinster FC. By the time the Wee County captured the provincial title, however, he had emigrated to Canada. After returning home, Peter lined out regularly for Louth at senior level in the 1970s and he also served the Wee County as a selector under both Frank Lynch and Declan Smyth. Peter McCarthy worked for Cooley Kickhams in all capacities, including club chairman (when he was a driving force behind the development of the club’s magnificent facilities), senior manager and juvenile coach. As an underage trainer, he led Cooley to their first-ever U14 championship in 1994, their first U16 titles in ’95, ’96 and ’97, and their first minor crown in 1998. Cooley Kickhams GFC provided a guard of honour as a wide selection of GAA people from Louth and beyond turned out in force to bid their final farewell to Peter McCarthy. With Peter’s passing, there is a void that can never be filled but the great Cooley clubman has left a legacy that will last forever. Gerard Connor (Jenkinstown) Gerard Connor of Loughanmore, Jenkinstown, Dundalk passed away on August 8th, 2012. A member of the Pioneer Association, Gerard was actively involved with St Patricks GFC and St Patricks Youth Club. He had a deep love of gaelic games and regularly travelled near and far to attend both club and county games. Members of St Patricks GFC and St Patricks Youth Club provided a guard of honour. Antoinette Mullany (Dundalk) The was great sadness in the town of Dundalk and beyond following the untimely death on Thursday, July 12th, 2012 of 35-year-old Antoinette Mullany, Ard Na Carraige, Lis na Dara, Carrick Road. Originally from Omeath, Antoinette was a gifted school teacher
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with a wonderful flair for languages. She played gaelic football for the Cuchulainn Gaels ladies team and also served the club as cultural officer. Michael O’Brien (Riverstown) The late Michael O’Brien of Castletowncooley, Riverstown, Dundalk, who passed away on July 4th, 2012, aged 80, had a great love of the GAA. A native of Belfast, where he enjoyed success at club level in both football and hurling as a young man, he was once caretaker for St Patricks GFC. He was involved with Cooley Kickhams briefly before joining the Pats, becoming a massive supporter of the Lordship club and even serving them as secretary. Michael was also secretary of the North Louth Minor Board for a spell and he followed the fortunes of both St Patricks and O’Raghallaighs in his later years. Ellen Lynch (Dundalk) Ellen Lynch of Heynestown, Dundalk was actively involved in the Geraldines GFC ladies committee for many years, especially while her sons were playing for the club. She contributed greatly to community and family life in the Haggardstown area. Pat Finnegan (Cooley) Pat Finnegan, who passed away on April 28th, 2012, had a great passion for his native Cooley and supported the local Kickhams GAA club all his life. As a young man, he played for Cooley Kickhams. Nicholas Carroll (Carlingford) Nicholas Carroll from Ballug, Carlingford was a keen footballer in his youth, representing his local team The Garrowiers and also Cooley Kickhams. Outside of the GAA, Nicholas was interested in a variety of other sports. He passed away on April 30th, 2012, aged 93. Members of Cooley Kickhams GFC and Cooley Bowling Club provided a guard of honour at his removal. Sean Duffy (Dundalk) From Afton Drive, Greenacres, Dundalk, Sean Duffy passed away on June 18th, 2012. He was highlyregarded by all who knew him during his 73 years. Originally from Knockbridge, he played for St Brides with distinction and won a Macardle Cup medal in 1959. Sean togged out in goals in the final and played a leading role in the victory as he saved a penalty. He also represented Kilkerley Emmets and was a regular at Louth GAA games far and wide for a number of years. A true family man, Sean loved all sports and had a tremendous interest in general