Bane, Noel
September 19, 2008
The late Noel Bane
It was with regret that I learned of the sudden passing of a keen sportsman and neighbour, Noel Bane, Ennis.
Noel was born on Christmas Day, 1934 to John and Gertie Bane, (nee Ryan), of the Boreen, Ennis. Coming from the Boreen was something which Noel was very proud of. His only sister, Bridget, died aged 13 months. On November 11 1963, Noel married Imelda Cleary from Clonroad and they lived at 56 Maria Avenue.
Family was of the utmost importance to Noel; his wife, Imelda; his daughters, Noelle and Grainne and his son, John. He was a natural parent and especially a natural grandparent and took most pleasure in spending all his spare time with his 12 grandchildren and his one great grandchild.
Noel had a life long interest in sport, especially hurling, soccer, handball, basketball and snooker. With the formation of St John's Hurling club in 1953, Noel and many other aspiring hurlers swelled its ranks. As well as playing the game, he was a staunch committee member and worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
In June 1955, he was selected on the Ennis representative team, a team drawn from the ranks of Eire Og, Rovers, Turnpike and St John's. This team defeated an equally stacked Cork City side by 4-7 to 4-5. After the game, the players headed to the Queens hotel for refreshments and such was the standard of the clash, that Christy Ring was heard to say in jest to a St John's selector, "Ye took them out of St Flannan's today, boy."
In 1957, St John's went senior and competed in the Clare Champion Cup (senior league), losing at the quarter final stage to St Joseph's following a gusty performance. Noel was outstanding at wing, and later centre back. This talented 15 only faded in the final minutes. In 1958, St John's won the intermediate championship but re-graded to junior(A) the following year.
By 1960, soccer had become popular amongst the youth of Ennis and on March 12 of that year, a meeting was held at The Old Grounded Hotel by interesting parties with a view to re-organising soccer in the capital town.
It was agreed that the club should be called 'Ennis United' and that they would apply for membership to the Limerick League. Limerick duly welcomed the new club and in preparation for their first game, a challenge was arranged between Anthony Lynch's XI and Freddy Ensko's XI. In their first competitive outing, Ennis drew 4-4 with Wembley Rovers. Noel Bane played centre of mid-field. The team featuring the cream of Ennis and Newmarket came in for a great praise in The Clare Champion for "their neat touches".
Over the next two seasons, Ennis United competed with considerable success in the Limerick League and the FAI Junior Cup. It was unfortunate the club had to play most of its games away.
In the first domestic season of the Clare League in 1962/63, Pike Rovers won the League and Lifford defeated Angers by 6-2 in the Fergus Cup final with Noel Bane playing a leading role for the winners. After the game, the Fergus Cup was presented to the late Syl Cosgrove, captain of Lifford.
As well as sport, Noel had a great love of technology and the movies. He liked nothing more after a long day of ferrying his grandchildren around than to sit down with Imelda and watch a film from his vast collection.
Noel had a long career in the tool making industry, working in Shannon, Ennis, Limerick and as far afield as Germany. He delighted in working closely with his colleagues in a long and distinguished career.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dhilis
OB
Courtesy of the Clare Champion
19th September 2008
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