Hennessy, Rev Fr. Declan
May 27, 2010
Rev' Fr Declan Hennessy -
An appreciation
It was with sheer shock and sadness on Monday last; May 17th the Gaels of East Cork received the bad news of the sudden death of Rev. Fr. Declan Hennessy P.P. Mallow. The loss was especially felt by the people of his native Conna and Cobh, given the eleven years he spent in the holy ground in the cathedral town, where he rendered diligent service to the Carrignafoy based club, serving as club chairman and divisional board delegate over a long period of time prior to being elected vice chairman of the East Cork divisional board and later as chairman where his strong will and jovial personality endeared him to all and sundry.
During his three-year tenure at the helm of affairs within the barony of Imokilly, which was unfortunately terminated, when as a revered and most respected man of the cloth, he was transferred from the eastern region of Cloyne diocese to the northern parish of Glanworth and later westwards to Mallow, eventually to take up the position of parish priest.
Despite his commitment to his vocation and the spread of the Gospel of our Lord God, Fr. Declan also totally immersed himself in the promotion of our Gaelic games within the later parishes. During his time spent in East Cork he took great pride in the various successes of the clubs within the division as well as the Imokilly footballer's triumphant march to attain county senior football championship honours in the centenary year of the association 1984 and two years later when they were again crowned champions of Cork senior football.
But for all the enjoyment he got and celebrated during the aforementioned occasions, the various triumphs of his beloved club St Catherine's, who he witnessed rise from the divisional and county junior and intermediate champions to perform with distinction in the senior grade of the Rebel county hurling championship, was always nearest and dearest to his beloved heart of great nature. It was the privilege of this scribe to serve under his reverence, initially as a club delegate and latterly as a colleague in the executive of the divisional board as PRO.
Ar dheis lamh De go raibh a anam dilis, ni bheidh a leithead aris ann.
Courtesy of the Avondhu
27th May, 2010
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