The Ennis community was shocked to hear of the sudden death of well-known businessman and television dealer, Martin Heaney, at his home at 32, Corrovorrin Drive, Ennis, on April 4. Aged 69 he was a Mayo man and a native of Killeenrevagh near Hollymount. Raised on a farm, he attended the well-known football nursery, St Jarlath's Tuam with whom he distinguished himself as a wingback. He was unlucky in that illness prevented him from playing a bigger part on the St Jarlath's team that won the Hogan Cup for All-Ireland senior colleges teams in 1958. The following year he played with the St Jarlath's team that was beaten in the Connacht final by a team that went on to win the Hogan Cup. An excellent footballer, he later distinguished himself with the Garrymore junior team that won its first and only Mayo football championship title. After qualifying as a radio operator, Martin joined the merchant navy when he was 21 and travelled all over the world. He returned home in 1967 and married Bridie. Shortly afterwards they moved to Ennis and started a family. First of all working as television technician with RTV rentals in O'Connell Street, Martin later branched out on his own. Initially he worked from home but in 1979 he opened his own television shop at 75, Parnell Street. It proved to be a successful venture and over the years he continued to expand and modernise it. His quiet, unassuming and friendly manner and the excellent service he gave to the public ensured the success of his commercial activity. Since coming to Clare he continued to keep an interest in football and his beloved Mayo. However, he also followed Ennis and Clare teams in hurling and football and was a regular visitor to Cusack Park, Ennis. He was a man who loved literature and sports of all kinds. There were huge attendances from all walks of life, including many friends and customers, at the removal of his remains from Kennedy's funeral home to St Joseph's church, Ennis, on the evening of April 7. The chief celebrant of the funeral mass on the following day was Fr Jerry Carey, St Joseph's, who used the chalice once owned by Martin's brother, Fr Andy Heaney, who died aged 45 years while serving in America. Fr Carey also referred to Martin's fine qualities and the friendly way in which he met and dealt with customers. After mass the funeral took place to Drumcliffe cemetery. Martin is survived by his wife, Bridie who is the former Bridie Hughes from Mayo; sons, Andrew, Enda and Sean; daugther, Annette; brothers, Tommie and Michael; sisters, Delia, Kathleen, Sheila, Una and Theresa; daughter-in-law, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces. Clare Champion, 17th April 2009 Tweet

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