The Late Denis Finucane, Tarbert The death at his residence on December 3 of Denis Finucane, Kilcolgan, Tarbert, after an illness patiently borne brought widespread feelings of regret in his native Tarbert where he was held in the highest regard. One of the old stock of the parish he was a popular member of one of Tarbert's oldest families. He was a successful farmer and served on the advisory committee at Kerry Co-op for a good number of years. Always pleasant and cheerful he was the best of company and his main topic of conversation was Gaelic football. He was an outstanding footballer in his day, playing at the centre half back. Denis played most of his football with Ballylongford and Shannon Rangers. In 1953 Denis won one of his most treasured medals, when the Shannonsiders from his own western side of the parish won the North Kerry intermediate championship defeating Tarbert in the final after a replay. Following the introduction of the parish rule in 1954 Denis and his team mates, the late Mickey McElligott and the late Mattie Brassil, lined out with the Tarbert senior team and lost to Clounmacon in the North Kerry senior championship final. This was a game that Denis often spoke about down through the years. He also spoke of a county intermediate championship medal that he won with North Kerry in 1949 and recalled that it was the only year that a county intermediate divisional championship was played. He was a good rugby player in his years at Rockwell College where he played at full back on the Munster Colleges team for the interprovincial championship. Denis was a great family man and a good neighbour and he will be sadly missed by his wife, Kathleen, family and many friends. There was a huge attendance at the removal of his remains from his residence to Saint Mary's Church for the concelebrated Mass. The chief celebrant at the Mass was Fr. Mossy Brick, assisted by Fr. John Laide, Ballymacelligott and Fr. Steven Kennelly, Lenamore. Family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful and in the offertory procession. At the end of the Mass a poem was read by Aimee Finucane and Donnacha Finucane paid tribute to his father and thanked everyone for their support. The large procession afterwards to Kilnaughtin cemetery was a fitting mark of respect to the deceased and his family. Former team mates and GAA personnel form Tarbert and Ballylongford formed a guard of honour as the remains were removed from St. Mary's Church. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; sons, Seamus, Andrew and Donnacha; daughters, Annmarie and Catherine; brothers, Conor of Askeaton and Donal of New York; sister, Maura; sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends to whom sympathy of the community is extended. (Tarbert). Tweet

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