The Late Syl Cosgrove The death took place recently of Syl Cosgrove, Fernhill, Gort Road, Ennis. A member of a well-known Ennis town family, he was aged 72years and his death took place after a short illness at University College Hospital in Galway on April 14. An all- round sportsman, he had a distinguished career as a psychiatric nurse at Our Ladyís Psychiatric Hospital, Ennis and his funeral tributes were paid to him for the manner in which he catered for patients over a long number of years. In joining the staff at Our Lady's Hospital in 1995, he was following in the footsteps of his father, the late Peter Cosgrove, who was also a nurse at the hospital. When Syl retired in 1996, he was assistant head nurse. In the sports world, Syl also kept in line with his father who was a member of Ennis Rugby Football Club in the early days. And although he never featured as a rugby player, Syl distinguished himself in other spheres of sport. He was a valued member of the St Josephís GAA Hurling team that won both Clare senior championship and The Clare Champion Cup medals in 1957 and in 1958. He also had the distinction of winning a county minor hurling championship medal with the former Ennis Dalcassians Club. A familiar player on the Clare soccer scene over a number of years, he helped to get the game re-established in the capital town in the 1960s. He also captained the Lifford FC team to win the Fergus Cup in 1967 with the aid of a goal scored by Paddy 'Giles' Coughlan. A keen golfer, he joined Ennis Golf Club in 1993 and just a few weeks before his death, he was made captain of the seniors' section of the club for the coming year. And on the occasion of his drive-in, he gave an inspiring talk urging fellow members to avail of every opportunity to play the game. An enthusiastic angler and gunman, he was a staunch member of the Ennis and District Anglers Club for many years. And to his credit, the club made a lot of progress and grew in membership when he was club secretary in the earlier years. He was a frequent figure on Inchiquin, Dromore and other well-known lakes with his close fishing colleagues, Aidan Guilfoyle and the late Bernie Dilger. Together, they owned a boat and always looked forward to their fishing outings and their annual trip to Lough Corrib when the May fly appeared. Their friendship stemmed from their boy scout days when they were all leaders in the Ennis troop. Born in the old Turnpike area of Ennis, Syl was a son of the late Peter Cosgrove and the late Eileen Cosgrove who was the former Eileen Mungovan from Connolly. Syl was reared by his grandmother, Ellen Cosgrove, until his early teens and then he moved with the rest of the family to live at the Lodge at the entrance to Our Ladyís Hospital. He married the former Susan Keane from Maurice's Mills and they had one son, Paul. Huge crowds turned out to sympathise with Syl's family, cousins and friends when his remains were removed from Daly's mortuary chapel to Ennis Cathedral on April 16. Fr Tom Hogan, administrator, was the chief celebrant of the funeral mass on the following day when Fr Michael O'Loughlin, Ennis, who was an old school pal from their days at Ennis CBS, was among the concelebrants. Gifts brought to the alter included a golf club from his brother, Peadar, and a fishing rod from Aidan Guilfoyle. After mass the funeral took place to Drumcliffe Cemetery. A guard of honour was provided by Ennis Golf Club members and the Ennis and District Anglers Club. Syl was survived by his wife, Susan; son, Paul; daughter in law, Mhairi; grandchildren, Ben, Anna and Finian; brothers Peadar, Paudie and Joe; sisters Frances, Martha, Jacinta, Teresa and Carmel; aunt, Frances Markham; cousins and a large circle of friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Loretta O'Sullivan 1978. Courtesy of the Clare Champion 2nd May 2008 Tweet

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