The Late Kevin Sreenan The death in Dublin after a six month illness of former Lisnaskea Emmets and Fermanagh gaelic footballer, Kevin Sreenan evoked widespread genuine regret. Born in Lisnakea, the deceased had spent many years away from his roots but throughout his almost 69 years - his birthday was Christmas Day -he kept in close contact with his many former club colleagues. That contact was further strengthened when he married Mary McNally who was a sister of Charlie (Nuala) McNally, Lakeview, Lisnaskea and it continued to flourish after their deaths. The death of his wife was the first of a number of set-backs for Kevin. They were a devoted couple and proud parents of Gerry and Kevin, Jun who sadly died suddenly in London three years ago at the age of 38. It occurred within five months of his father's retirement form the AIB branch in Dublin's Grafton Street were he was a member of the bank's security staff. But, buoyed by the strong friendships he enjoyed, the deceased had just about come to terms with his son's death when he took ill and, at the end of November last, passed away peacefully at Our Lady's Hospice, Harolds cross, Dublin. He had been living at Rathfarnham from where he kept in close touch with his son, Gerry (Nuala) in St Alban's Hert and Rachel, Kevin's partner, in London. Prior to his banking post, Kevin Sreenan had served in the Irish Army for 25 years, finishing up as Sergeant and based in the famous Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines. But, he had made his name long before that in his native county. An only child, he was born at the Brookeborough Road end of Lisnaskea and attended the Old Moate School. He quickly formed friendships that were to endure till his death with very young but very enthusiastic gaelic footballers, people like Jim Collins and thought nothing of getting tips on free-taking from Ulster star, Tommy Durnien who was then in his prime. In was this ability which was to help him propel Fermanagh to a memorable All-Ireland Junior Championship title in 1959. By then, Kevin was an established member of the Lisnaskea Emmetts, playing alongside Jim Collins and winning a league and championship double in 1954. It was around the time that Kevin took up work, firstly as a barman in Enniskillen and then in the Creighton Hotel in Clones before joining the Irish Army at the age of 21. His club appearances dwindled as a result but he was a permanent fixture on the county side and made it to the Ulster panel- one of three club players to do so, Tommy Durnien and Colin Curran the other two. He featured on a Fermanagh side beaten Donegal in the Lagan Cup in September, 1957 (3-6 to 1-4) the report of which noted; 'the normally accurate Sreenan missed free.' But, two years later, he was part of a victory roll where, after winning their semi-final replay at Irvinestown against Dublin, Fermanagh met and beat Kerry at Croke Park in the All-Ireland Junior Final, winning by 1-3 to 2-3. For his semi-final replay display, Sreenan was described as having given a display; which was not only his best but that no previous Fermanagh player had produced before. In the final itself, he scored 0-4 and was a member of a team that showed just the one change in the first fifteen from that first Dublin game, Owenie Callaghan coming on for the injured J.J. Treacy. For the record, the team featured Sreenan, John O'Neill (goalkeeper) and Jim Collins. His funeral Mass was celebrated in Holy Cross Church Lisnaskea and just three days after Christmas Day, the Months Mind Mass was said there. On both occasions, there was an impressible attendance by Gaels throughout the county, many of whom had played with and against Kevin. The burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, Maguiresbridge alongside the remains of his wife, Mary and their Son, Kevin. The deceased leaves to mourn his son Gerry (Nuala), St Alban's, Kevin's partner, Rachel in London and locally Nuala McNally and family. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Swift and McCaffrey, Lisnakea. Courtesy of the Fermanagh Herald January 2003 Tweet

Most Read Stories