Cooney, Eddie
January 12, 2008
The Late Eddie Cooney
Eddie Cooney passed away quietly in the presence of his family just after Christmas and the news shocked and saddened so many people in Carrigaline and further afield, who knew and admired this great Gael. It is very hard accepting, that Eddie will not be with us in 2008.
Eddie Cooney seemed to so many of us, as someone who has been always there and would always be. He was an integral part of an old Carrigaline coming from one of the finest Gaelic dynasties in the locality. The Cooneys. The Cooneys of Carrigaline were synonymous with all things Irish and Gaelic and particularly the Carrigaline GAA club.
Eddie Cooney's contribution to the Gaelic Athletic Association in Carrigaline, Carrigdhoun and Cork County will be rarely matched. He served his club, his Carrigdhoun Division and his County Boards.
I first encountered Eddie Cooney in the month of June 1960 in the Carrigaline pitch. I was a member of the Shamrock under-14 hurling team playing our first South-East final ever against St. Patrick's of Upton. The man in the middle, the referee, was Eddie Cooney. He wore a collar and tie, a gaberdine jacket and grey slacks. He handled the game very fairly and it ended in a draw.
Eddie was then one of the young dynamic officials of the Carrigaline club and shortly afterwards became secretary of the South-East School Shields Board. The chairman in those days was the late Dave Desmond of Crosshaven. Eddie later went on to become chairman and I had the honour to serve as secretary alongside him. I then got to know this genial man very well and bonded a lifetime of friendship with him. At those days he also represented his club at the South-East junior board with his father the late John Cooney. They were a formidable pair and the club's affairs were in good and trusted hands.
Eddie served his club as secretary for many years and his work and dedication will never be matched. He became Carrigaline's representative on the County Board where he served for many years also. His peers recognised his ability and he was chosen to be a Cork minor and Cork under-21 hurling selector on a number of occasions. 1964 was a momentous year for Eddie,Cork won the minor hurling title and a member of his own club, Barry Wylie played at centre back.
The other selectors who worked with Eddie were Frank Murphy (Blackrock) Mick O'Neill (Midleton), Donal Keane (Brian Dillons) and Johnny Coyne (Youghal). In 1966 he was an under-21 hurling selector when Cork made history to win their first ever title. Cork had already won the senior hurling title and Gerald McCarthy had the unique distinction of captaining both teams. His fellow selectors that year were Mick O'Neill (Midleton), John McHugh (Castletownroche), Dan O'Mahony (Passage) and Donal Keane (Brian Dillons).
Eddie served as a Carrigdhoun senior hurling and selector too. But despite all his commitments for the division and county, he put huge effort into all his club. All the initiatives undertaken over the years, had Eddie playing a leading role, the development of the pitches, the building of the pavilion and all the other ancillary projects. Eddie put much effort into so many of the non-hurling and football undertakings.
He loved Scor and worked behind the scenes. He was almost an institution in the running an organisation of the weekly card games. people came there from far and near. His contribution to the club's weekly lotto was enormous too. People such as Eddie are rare and unparalleled.
One couldn't meet a nicer gentleman, whether at a meeting, a game or on the main street of Carrigaline. When one saw Eddie moving down the main street, something was going on. Lotto money was being collected, a notice ore two was being handed into the shops and of course many exchanges of courtesies with passers-by. He would have many conversation too with shoppers, old Gaels and acquaintances. In between it all he would slip into the bookmaker shop to do a little business.
His passing has surely left a huge void in Carrigaline. Eddie was of old Carrigaline and perpetuated all the great values and love of all things Gaelic and Irish. He was a humble and simple person, never seeking the limelight. Eddie was special and has left and indelible mark on the countless people he encountered over his lifetime. He was a true family man and there was always a warm and kind welcome in his home. Our deepest sympathised are extended to his dear wife Eva, his daughters Jackie and Alexis, his sister Phyl and brother Canice, his grand children and his many relatives and friends.
Eddie Cooney was a fine decent Christian gentleman, a true son of Carrigaline, he was Mr. Carrigaline, Ni Beidh a Leithead ann aria, Ar dheis De go raibh a h-Anam dilis.
Courtesy of the Southern Star
12 January 2008
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