Meaney, Peter
June 26, 2012The sudden death on Sunday 29 April of Peter Meaney, Donore, Bagenalstown marked the passing of a man held in the highest esteem, being particularly well-known in greyhound, GAA and farming circles. Aged 57, Peter's untimely passing has robbed the local community of a kind, caring, generous person - someone you would like to call a friend.
Son of Paddy and Margaret (nee Kearns) Meaney, Peter was educated at the De La Salle Brothers national and secondary schools in Bagenalstown. He went on to join his father in the running of the family farm at Donore. Peter was an individual who was close to the earth, with a great understanding of and kindness for nature and animals of all shapes and forms. His passing has created a huge void in the lives of many people, both in his native Carlow and indeed throughout the country.
After family and farming, greyhounds paid a huge part in Peter's life. His contribution to the greyhound industry was immense and at the time of his death he was secretary to the Co Carlow Coursing Club and a director of Kilkenny Greyhound Racing Company. As well as his involvement in the administrative side of the sport, Peter, along with his brother Pat, enjoyed much success with their greyhounds, who ran under the 'Rathduff' prefix on track and field - Rathduff Suziki, Rio Smutt and Gazelle are but a few of the dogs associated with the Meaney name.
Peter's kindness and generosity knew no bounds and this was extremely evident through his work for the BEAM organisation in Bagenalstown. Along with other committee members, Peter, through his contact with the Kilkenny track, helped raise half a million euro over the last 22 years. This money has helped in the building and running of the BEAM Day Care Centre in Bagenalstown.
A keen GAA supporter, Peter was an avid supporter of all Carlow teams and also followed closely the fortunes of the St Laurence's footballers in Kildare: his nephews Tommy and Podge O'Neill were key players when 'The Larries' won their first ever KIldare SFC title in 2009 - an achievement of which Peter was very proud. Both O'Neill brothers were also on the Lilywhite panel which claimed the NFL Division 2 final at Croke Park by defeating Tyrone on the same day that Peter passed away.
While Peter never married, he had a very large circle of friends and this level of friendship was reflected by the large number of people who attended his wake, removal and funeral Mass.
Without doubt Peter's sudden death has created a huge void in the lives of so many people not alone in his native and beloved Carlow but right across the country. Peter was waked at home in Donore before the removal of his remains on Wednesday 2 May to St Andrew's Parish Church, Bagenalstown. A guard of honour was provided by members of Co Carlow Coursing Club and Kilkenny track.
The funeral Mass was concelebrated by Fr Declan Foley, PP. Bagenalstown and Fr Pierce Murphy.
Peter's cousin and great friend Phil Meaney, chairman of Bord na gCon, the governing body of greyhound racing in this country, provided a wonderful tribute to Peter at the end of Mass. Peter was laid to rest in the local cemetery of the Assumption.
He is survived by his brother Pat, sister Breda O'Neill, brother-in-law Tom O'Neill, nephews Padraig and Tommy and niece Margaret, as well as other relatives, neighbours and a huge circle of friends.
Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist, June 26th, 2012. Tweet
