McNeice, Peadar
January 01, 2001
In the long history of the Gaelic Athletic Association in county Armagh in all areas and clubs the family concept has always been very much to the fore. In fact one could list a roll of honour of such families from the shores of Lough Neagh to the border between us and County Louth around famed Crossmaglen.
Those of us who serve or have served the association at administrative level know the debt we owe to such families who generation after generation carried the torch and passed it on. Indeed such families were the backbone of many clubs and in some cases the primal influence. Without their interest and service many a club would have withered on the vine. They gave and give of their time finance and commitment willingly without ever counting the cost.
In North Armagh there are such as Seeley and McKenna in Clan na Gael. Murray, McKavanagh and McCrory in Clann Eireann, Derby and Moore in St. Peter's, Colman and Greene and McCorry in Wolfe Tones, Derrymacash, Skelton and Byrne in Sarsfields, Derrytrasna, McKeever and McGrane in Ballyhegan, Davitts, McCann and Marley in Tir na nOg, Portadown, Hamill, Fox and Tennyson in Maghery, Sean McDermotts, Grimley and Bratten and Houlihan, Armagh Harps, McGeough and Houlihan in Pearse Ogs, McClatchey in Madden, O'Neill in Granemore, Lynch and Cromie and Loughran and McGuinness in Carrickcruppen, O'Reilly, McCreesh, Clarke, Casey and Morgan and Duffy in Crossmaglen, O'Hare in Ballymacnab, Fearon in Belleeks and Bessbrook, O'Neill in Middletown and so it goes on and on.
Add to this, great individuals like Harry McGarry in North Armagh, Dan McAreavy in Portadown, Sean Harte in Armagh City, John Martin in Crossmaglen and many many others gone to their eternal rest and all have enriched the association and brought it to its present healty state.
Loyal Servant
It was therefore with great sadness that all Gaels in the county mourned the sudden, untimely passing of one of its most hardworking and loyal servants Peadar McNeice of Annaghmore. He came from such a family tradition as already mentioned. Matthew and Annie McNeice, strong in faith from the beautiful apple country of Ardress East in Loughgall were blessed with a large family of boys and girls. They reared them 'strong in faith, love of God and with all the values of honesty and integrity, justice and fair play for all. They were rewarded in turn by the commitment of their children to church, country and community. The boys and girls served all these areas of life consummate skill and dedication. Our church was blessed with the service of the late Father Brian and is still with Father Dermot.
The boys Sammy, Conor, Joseph (RIP), Laurence and Peadar took the family farm produce business to new heights in the commercial world. The girls Therese and Maura served their professions with great dedication and still do.
Talented Horticulturist
Peader was particularly talented as a horticulturist and expert on the history and development of varieties of our famed county apple. His passing has robbed the nation of his skills in this important area.
In the GAA in the Annaghmore Pearses club, Peadar with his brothers were the solid spine always of that club. They played, managed and financially supported the club through thick and thin. As a member of the County Executive I had the privilege of selecting Sammy as a stout defender on the county team. Above all I remember Peadar as perhaps one of the youngest delegates to the county board. He represented the Pearses with skill, dignity, honesty and sincerity and with a wisdom beyond his years. He will be desperately missed by them and by all of us in the Association.
Thus we offer sincere condolences to his sisters Therese and Maura, his brothers Father Dermot, Sammy, Conor and Laurence, his brother-in-law, sisters-in-law and entire family circle.
Go ndeannaidh dia trocaire ar a anam dilis.
By Brendan McStravick former football board secretary, Armagh GAA Executive and teaching colleague of his sister-in-law Mrs Brid McNeice.
- courtesy of the Armagh Observer
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