The Late Dick Gladney Dick Gladney of 23 Kernanstown, Carlow, who died on Wednesday February 12, at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, was a dedicated hurling man who gave outstanding service to his native St. Mullins and in later years, in the fostering of the game within the Palatine Club writes CHARLIE KEEGAN. A native of Drummond, St. Mullins, Dick was a talented hurling midfielder, possessing all the skills of the ancient game. He won six Carlow consecutive hurling championships between 1949 and 1954, during the greatest era of St. Mullins. Dick's greatest hour was the 1952 county final against Borris in McGrath Park, Bagenalstown. A match report of that game stated: "St Mullins' win was due to an inspired performance from Dick Gladney who had an outstanding game and accounted for a good portion of his side's total of 2-5". In two of those championship-winning years (1952 and '53) he was part of the double winning team, adding the Humphries Cup and beating neighbouring rivals Tinnahinch in the final of 1952. Dick was a lovely, graceful left-handed striker of the ball, considered a stylist, and very worthy of many tributes paid to his hurling skill and sportsmanship since his passing. Aged 78, Dick had worked in Poulmouty Woollen Mills, owned by the Hickey family, and later at Odlums Mills in St. Mullins. In the late 1960s, he went to reside in Kernanstown, working in the Sugar Company in Carlow, where he was a valued employee. It was due in no small measure to the influence of Dick Gladney that Palatine became a force in Carlow hurling in the early 1970s and he was proudly at the helm when the Kildare border side won its lone Carlow SHC title in 1972, defeating Ballinkillen in a memorable county final. Dick played at inter-county championship level for Carlow in an era when the Barrowsider were competing in the Leinster League. He played at midfield alongside his St. Mullins club partner, Peter Kealy. These were in the barren days before the great county team of the late 1950s and early 1960s emerged. Before St. Mullins had embarked on that magnificent run of six successive championships, Dick had been a member of the team beaten in the county finals of 1947 and '48 by Hacketstown and Borris respectively. And when he was winning his sixth and last title in 1954, Dick's younger brother Ned was winning his first, while another brother, the late Jim Gladney, was club secretary. That St. Mullins six-in-a row team was honoured within the last few years by the club at a function which Dick was unable to attend due to illness. A number of the team arrived to his Kernanstown home to present Dick with his memento and it was deeply appreciated by him. After his playing days, Dick served as club secretary at St. Mullins. He lived for a period in Ballon, before settling in Kernanstown - a move that was to be prove so beneficial for Palatine hurling. Very large crowds attended the removal of his remains from McGuill's Funeral Home, Bennekery Church. Where they were received by Fr. Tom Little, PP Bennekerry, assisted by Fr. Eddie Aughney, PP St Mullins. Fr. Little celebrated the Funeral Mass assisted by Fr. Pierce Murphy, PP Bagenalstown. The Palatine and St. Mullins GAA Clubs formed a guard of honour on both occasion, while the St. Mullins and Carlow GAA jerseys were placed on the coffin. A poem in tribute to Dick, written by his grandson, Aaron was read by the youngster during Mass. At the end of Mass, Ned Gladney spoke on behalf of the Gladney family, noting and appreciating in particular the huge turnout from the parish of St. Mullins on both occasions, including survivors of the six-in-a row team. Dick was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery following Mass, with Fr. Little reciting the final prayers at the graveside. While within the wider community Dick Gladney will be most remembered for his life in hurling,he was very much a devoted family man and his passing will be most profoundly felt by his wife, Nan (nee Byrne), sons Richard (Brownshill, Carlow), Andy (St. Brigid's Crescent Bagnelstown) and John (Ballon) and daughter Mrs. Margaret Connolly ( Fruit Hill, Graiguecullen). One of a family of six, Dick is also survived by his brother Ned (Drummond, St. Mullins) sisters, Mrs Nan Wilson (New Ross) and Mrs Mary Jacobs (London) and by his 11 grandchildren, nephews, nieces, other relatives and a wide circle of friends. He was predeceased by his brothers, Jim and Jack Gladney. In a tribute to Dick Gladney this week, Luke Morrissey, who played in goal in that great St. Mullins' team of the early 1950s, spoke of his deep admiration for Dick "as a man and as a sportsman". Luke said one great memory come back to him while attending the removal ceremony: "It happened in a very serious challenge match against Geraldine O'Hanrahans of New Ross in 1953. O'Hanrahans were a very good senior team then and won a Wexford SHC title in the late 1950s. "I was told by club secretary Jim Gladney that I would have to mark Tim Russell. Tim had been on the Cork senior panel and was, at the time, on the Wexford panel. Once a ball came between us and, just as I heard Dick Gladney call out the wing, I met the ball on the drop and it landed on Dick's hurl. He just turned on his left side with the ball still on the stick and stroked a beautiful point from almost 75 yards. In joy, Dick ran to me to celebrate. Fr Tom Predergast PP also shook out hands. That game, Luke recalls, was played in Drummond and St. Mullins won. "It was a lovely memory of Dick, who was a lovely man" states Luke. Courtesy of the Nationalist February 2003 Tweet

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