Bennet, Tony
January 01, 2001
It was with great sadness that all Gaels in County Armagh learned of the untimely death of Anthony Bennet of Carrickcruppin.
Tony Bennet was one of the outstanding defenders of any era of Armagh club or county football on the National stage. He first came to the notice of Minor County Selectors in the late 1950s and early sixties and was the outstanding last line defender in an era when Armagh were strong at minor level. When he moved to the senior ranks with Carrickcruppin GFC he immediately came to the attention of the County Senior selectors and when Dr Felix McKnight hung up his boots after a distinguished career Tony was selected to fill the No.3 jersey at centre full back.
The jersey he certainly filled because Tony was stocky, well built and could spring like a gazelle. He caught the ball above anyone wearing the No.14 and when he came out of the small square with it tucked tightly too him few ever stood in his way for long. He was in the tradition of great full backs such as Jack Bratten or Liam McCorry (RIP) or Jim McKerr. Tenacious and with the best thou shalt not pass attitude.
All this was accomplished modestly and without fuss because that was the way of this sporting athletic man.
He enjoyed the tussles he had at club level with his Crossmaglen Ranger's rivals in the forward line such as Jack McEntee, Eamon Casey RIP and Kevin Halfpenny. From the north of the county he enjoyed marking the men of Clan na Gael and Clann Eireann with equal relish. In the newly formed All County League with his county colleague Danny Kelly, wily Owen Crummie and a very youthful Peter Loughran.
Helped by tough as teak Pat Lynch he kept Carrickcruppen to the fore in league and championship. Because of his youthful looks he was nicknamed "Kid" but it was a foolish opponent who mistook his curly fair hair and winning smile for an easy sixty minutes on the field.
As a member of the county executive I remember two of his county displays at full-back - one in the old Doctor Lagan Cup and the other in the National League worth of mention. In both games he was outstanding. In the first a totally unfancied Armagh, then in the doldrums after the outstanding campaign of the 1960's met a resurgent Cavan side in Breffni Park in 1966 in the Dr Lagan Cup. Cavan expected to stroll with their devastating forward line led by the great Charlie Gallagher. Almost the entire Armagh defence superbly marshalled from full back by Tony cancelled out the threat. Danny McCrory of Clann Eireann led from midfield and a new lease of life was given to a forward line in which Pearse Og's Harry McGeogh, Mullaghbawn's Joe Daly and Dessie Creery of Clann Eireann excelled. Armagh recorded a welcome victory inspired by a full back second to none.
In Pairc an Uir Newry later in the year he did the same to deny a Down forward line of undisputed excellence until the very last seconds of an enthralling National League game when Down edged ahead. Sadly when at the height of his career he was injured and but for that, more county and provincial honours would surely come his way. He continued to shine for Cruppney guided by such as the great Tom Lynch until his playing days ended. He continued to grace the club as a committee member and serve his community as a mentor and great Gael.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather still with that winning smile and courageous outlook on life even in his last serious illness.
We thus offer sincere condolences and sympathy to his wife Bridie, his son Tony and his daughters Blinnia and Aileen - his daughters-in-law Joanne and grandson James, his son-in-law Gervase and grandchildren Cialon, Amy and Caomhe, his son-in-law John and grandchildren Blaine and Sorcha; his sister Rosemarie and brother-in-law Patsy; his sister Martina and brother-in-law Jim and all his extended family.
The people of Camlough and Crupney will sadly miss one of its finest sons.
Go Dneannaidh Dia Trocaire ar an anam dilis.
By Brendan McStravick formerly Armagh County GAA Executive in the 1960s.
January 2002
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