The Late Fionan O'Shea Fionan O'Shea late of Bocaire, Sneem and Teelin, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, who died on January 11 was a great Kerryman and Irishman. Fionan was born in Sneem on November 11, 1913, 91 years ago and was the eldest of a family of nine boys and one girl. He qualified as a National School teacher and commenced his teaching career in schools in Carlow, Kilkenny, Meath before eventually settling in Co. Westmeath where he taught as Principal of Crowenstown N.S. near Delvin, a position he held for 30 years up and until his retirement in 1974. On his retirement he purchased The Sportsman's bar in Mullingar, which was the Mecca for sportsmen of all codes from all over the country. Apart from job as a teacher, he was actively involved in many activities and his passion for the GAA was unparalleled. He holds what sorely must be a record for attending 51 All-Ireland finals in a row! All in all, he attended over 70 finals in both football and hurling. He was a very talented Gaelic footballer, playing with the Geraldines (the Kerrymans Club) in Dublin. He later won a county championship medal with his home club Kilbeggan. He was a very pleased man when his namesake and fellow countyman Paudie O'Se was selected as manager of his adopted county Westmeath. He was prominently to be seen on TV cameras outside the Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar when Paudie was introduced to the crowd after taking up his position. Greyhound racing, breeding and judging was a huge passion throughout his life and he was one of the most respected and esteemed member of his club. He was elected chairman of the midlands Greyhound owners and breeders association and held that position for many years. In his younger days he was an active member of the L.D.F. (Local Defence Forces) rising to the rank of quarter master general, and was in command of south Westmeath during the emergency. His first and proud language was Gaelic and he always addressed people he greeted through Irish. He was a staunch Kerryman and formed Cairde Ciarrai in the midlands. Apart from all these activities he had time to find and marry a beautiful woman Lillie McCarthy (nee Healy) from Kilbeggan whose ancestors were from Tousist. He was married to Lillie for 57 years and reared nine children. At his waking and burial a large gathering was present including prominent people from the GAA, racing world, national teachers organisation, business people, politicians, friends and neighbours. Fionan is survived by his wife Lillie, sons Seamus, Finny, Peader, Taidgh, Padraigh, Sean, Mike, daughters Marie, Eilis, Bernadette and brother Tim in Los Angles. The final word to a great Kerryman and an Irishman - Go neiri an bothar leat. Courtesy of the Kerryman 3rd February 2005 Tweet

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