The Late Jim Heffernan Emotions of sadness and compassion encompassed the club when the news filtered through the parish of Staplestown and Coolereagh, and indeed further a field, of the passing of our club president, Jim Heffeman on Saturday, 15 March. He had lost his battle with cancer which he fought bravely and with great dignity but typical of the man he did not go without one hell of a fight. Born in 1923 in Gilltown into a family of ten, Jim went to Timahoe National School. He was employed in Bord na Mona for a few years before working the family farm full time. Outside of his family Jim's great passion was football and in particular St Kevin's. He was a great stalwart of the club both on and off the field. When the club was founded, as Staplestown in 1945, Jim was elected as the first captaun. He was known as a teak tough footballer that took no prisoners and represented Staplestown on the Kildare North Divisional team that played in the senior championship during the 1950s. When his playing days were over he went onto fill the roles of vice chaimman and chaimman of the club. He also did tremendous work with the underage teams both in the club and schools. For many years he transported players to all comers of the county to play matches at a time when neither cars nor roads were of the standard they are today. Jim was always available when called upon and was a permanent fixture as umpire for the club. When Jim was umpire you always knew the club would get more than a fair deal and at times it is fair to say he was almost as valuable as an extra man. He took tremendous pride in his role as president and was always on the sideline encouraging the players be it at underage or adult level. If there was a game on anywhere with the club involved whether it was challenge game or a championship game Jim would be there. Even in latter years when he was in failing health he would make every effort to see his beloved St Kevin's in action. Jim also enioyed a quiet drink, and a game of cards and a bit of banter. He also was involved in the Timahoe Active Age Group. Testament to Jim 's popularity and that of his family was the large number of people present at his funeral, as hundreds of mourners packed St Benignus Church in Staplestown. Jim, along with his wife Brigid, reared a large and fine family on their farm in Hodgestown of which they can be proud. The club wishes to take this opportunity to convey its deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to Brigid and his sons, Seamus, Thomas, Martin, Johnny, David and Declan, and to his daughters Sadie, Brigid and Lizzie. Jim may be gone but as long as there is football played in Staplestown he will never be forgotten. Ni bheidh a leitheid ann aris Courtesy of the Leinster Leader 3 April 2008 Tweet

Most Read Stories