Crehan, Brendan
June 30, 2005
The Late Brendan Crehan
The people of Ballybricken and district mourned the passing of Brendan Crehan.
From Ballybricken a parish he loved and served with pride, his death at the age of 65 came unexpectedly. He was confined to a wheel chair ever since he took ill while refereeing a hurling match in Murroe in 1989. Despite this set back he continued to take an active role in the life of his parish.
In 1975 he captained Ballybricken to East Limerick junior hurling honours while playing in goal. Also included in the team were Michael Weekes, Davy Garvey, Ger Kearns, Ned Mitchell, Donie Kirby, Joe Leonard, John Keogh, Tim Wilkinson, Kevin Hanly, Eugene Leonard, Tommy O'Dea and Eddie Kirby. Brendan Crehan was presented with the Junior cup by Eddie Wade. At the time of his passing he was the club president and he was secretary for 21 years. Only 6 weeks ago the official opening of the GAA grounds in Caherelly was preformed by Brendan.
Politics were one of his many interests and it was fitting that members of Fine Gael and the Credit Union with the GAA should form a guard of honour at the funeral to Ballybricken Church and to Kilmurry Cemetery. An oration at the graveside was delivered by John O'Connor from the Credit Union Movement.
Dramatics and stage play were two others of his loves. He was member of the Ballyneety Drama the competed in the Sixmilebridge Drama Festival in 1963. As late as the Tuesday before he died, he was in the Drombanna Day Care Centre where he was discussing the Limerick and Tipperary hurling match of the previous Saturday.
And his friends had a first hand account of the happenings at the Gaelic Grounds as Brendan was at the match with his son Denis.
The respect he enjoyed was evident by the huge attendance at his funeral. John, Denis, Bernadette and Breda were the chief mourners.
Courtesy of the Limerick Leader
4th June 2005
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