The late Todd Teehan The death occurred on St Stephen's Day of Todd Teehan, Corstown, Kilmanagh. In his 92nd year, Todd was well-known and highly regarded in farming and GAA circles throughout the county. Born in New England in 1917, Todd spent his early years in the parish of Tullaroan before moving to Ballycallan. While he spent most of his adult life in his adopted parish, he maintained his abiding respect and admiration for Tullaroan and its people. The son of Ned Teehan and Brigid Cody, Todd was steeped in the rich tradition of the GAA, his father having attended the inaugural meeting of the GAA in Thurles in 1884. Todd inherited his father's prowess on the hurling field, playing with Tullaroan and going on to distinguish himself as the first hurler to score a goal in Nowlan Park! He was also the proud holder of a 1935 Minor All-Ireland Medal and a 1948 Senior County Championship Medal (when Tullaroan beat Carrickshock). Todd was also keenly interested in athletics and was involved in the formation of the Tullaroan Athletics Club and, for many years, he had a close relationship with Kilkenny City Harriers. Both he and his late wife, Nell, were avid supporters of camogie and were active in St. Brigid's Camogie Club in Ballycallan. While Todd was passionate about sport and hurling throughout his long and happy life, his first real loves were his faith and his family. He was a prayerful man of deep convictions who loved God and believed that God should always play a central part in one's daily life. He held a singular devotion to the Holy Family and to the Rosary and was also a frequent visitor to Knock Shrine. Todd was especially proud to wear his Pioneer Pin every single day of his life. Todd married Nell Comerford of Gurteen in 1956 and from whom he was inseparable for 50 years. Together they had three sons and daughter and they farmed at Dreelingstown and Corstown, concentrating mainly on dairying and stock. Todd was very close to nature and was a true man of the land. he held all God's creatures in great affection and was skilled in animal husbandry. He also had a great fondness for the art of good gardening and adored the simple daffodil. Described variously as "calm", "humble", "gentle" and "wise", Todd was a lively conversationalist with a sharp eye to current affairs; he read his newspaper every day - and without glasses up to relatively recently! He enjoyed the cut and thrust of political discourse and was a life long supporter of Fine Gael. Todd was his own witness to history when, at the age of four years, the infamous Battle of New England took place near his home in May 1921. He recalled clearly the events leading up to the notorious ambush when Walsh and Quinn were fatally wounded near Knocknagress; Todd often recounted vividly and in great detail the activities surrounding that historic day in Tullaroan when the War of Independence came to his father's farmyard. It was fitting that Todd's Funeral Mass was concelebrated in St. Brigid's Church, Ballycallan on the Feast of the Holy Family. Chief Celebrant was Fr. Kieran O'Shea, assisted by Canon Richard Phelan and Canon Tom Murphy (Ballydunne). Todd's remains were buried afterwards in Ballykeeffe Cemetery. During the course of his Homily, Fr O'Shea remarked that, while Todd's memory was failing in recent months, he never forgot his prayers and could recite them word perfectly as if "they were engraved on his heart." And so they were. Todd was predeceased by his beloved wife Nell, in 2006, his sister Margaret, and his brother Dick. He is survived by his sons Eamon (Gaulstown), Tom and Paddy (Corstown) and his daughter Breda (Kilkenny); his brother Paddy (Nottingham, England); his daughters-in-law Joan, Angela and Elizabeth; his grandchildren Edward and Liam, Tommy, Gerard and Vincent and Cliona and Dylan; his brothers-in-law Tom and Paddy Comerford (Ballycallan), his sisters-in-law Maureen Teehan (Nottingham) and Noreen Brennan (Ballycuddihy) his nephews, nieces, relations and friends. - Courtesy of the Kilkenny People, January 16, 2009 Tweet

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