Kilbrin regrets passing of one of club's finest hurlers Pat Dennehy

Kilbrin GAA Club bade farewell to one of its finest hurlers during the past week. Pat Dennehy donned the blue and white colours for a decade from 1954 until injury forced him out of the game in the mid 1960s. A splendid centre back, he was regarded as one of the best hurlers in the Duhallow division in his era and represented the division at senior level on many occasions.

Kilbrin captured the inaugural Duhallow Junior Hurling League title in 1955 defeating Millstreet in the final. They lost an epic '56 final to Kanturk, after two replays, by a single point. The sides clashed again in the '57 final and Kanturk were again victorious. In all of these games Pat was a dominant force in the Kilbrin ranks. By the early 1960s Kilbrin had regraded to Novice and contested the 1963 and '64 finals - losing in '63 but were victorious in '64.

Though hampered by an ongoing ankle injury, Pat continued to anchor the defence from the centre back berth. While renowned for his skill and style, Pat always displayed exemplary sportsmanship on the fleld. He was also a member of the '57 Novice Football Championship winning side scoring a crucial goal in their victory over Dromtariffe.

Pat remained a keen supporter of Kilbrin GAA over the decades and took great pride and satisfaction in the various successes the club enjoyed over the years. In recent years, Pat battled illness with the same style and dignity that were the hallmark of his sporting career. One of nature's true gentlemen he will be fondly remembered in the history of Kilbrin GAA. As a tribute the club provided a guard of Honour at his removal and helped shoulder his coffin, on his final journey, to the local cemetery after his funeral mass on Sunday last.

He will be sadly missed by his wife Sheila and his sons Tim and Pat; his sister Breda and brother Michael; his daughters in law Mairead and Audrey and his grandchildren Claire, Mark and Maria. Kilbrin GAA extends sincere sympathy to them and their extended families.

Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam dills.


Courtesy of The Corkman. Tweet

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