Lixnaw native Eugene Canty, who died in his adopted town of Ennis recently was a man immersed in sport having played club and inter-county hurling with Crotta O'Neills and Kerry. Eugene was waked at his home in Corrovorrin Drive and the high esteem in which he was held in his adopted town was evident with the large turnout of neighbours and friends who followed the cortege on the start of his final journey back home to Kerry. A guard of honour was formed by members of the Crotta O'Neills hurling club on both days as a mark of respect and burial took place in Kiltomey graveyard following concelebrated requiem mass. A stylish defender and in later years a goalkeeper of great ability, Eugene grew up in Kerry's hurling heartland. Unfortunately for him, he arrived when the club had gone into decline and their most successful period in the history of Crotta O'Neills a distant memory. The club won eight county hurling titles between 1935 and 1951. Eugene played in three county finals - 1972, 1979 and 1986 - but failed to collect that elusive medal. He starred in goals in the '79 final, in which former Labour Party leader Dick Spring played at midfield, but lost out to Causeway. At 38 years of age, Eugene was between the sticks when Crotta O'Neills reached the 1986 county final when St Brendan's emerged victorious. Eugene is survived by his partner Phil, children Thomas, Caroline, Eoin and Loretto; grand-daughter Eimer, son-in-law, sisters Mary, Margaret, Bridget and Kathleen, extended family and friends both in Ennis and Kerry. Clare Champion, 19th September 2008 Tweet

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