Teehan, Nicholas
July 05, 2013The recent death of Nicholas Teehan, Shipton House, Kilmanagh saw the parish lose one of its most iconic figures. Born on October 12,1933, Nicholas was six months short of his 80th year when he died. Growing up in Shipton in the mid 1930s it was easy to see how hurling became such an important part of Nicholas's life. After being founded, the local Graigue club had no field to play on, and so John Teehan gave the club the use of his field. It was to be the start of a long and fruitful relationship.
Nicholas Teehan won his first county title in 1945 when his school defeated St. John's in the final.
In 1949, he helped Graigue win the county Minor title by beating Eoghan Ruaill in the final. He continued to give sterling service to his club, and won the Northern Junior championship in 1970 with the newly formed Graigue Ballycallan.
Aside from his playing career, Nicholas served on the club committee for over 30 years. He took great pride in his club and looked after their pitch meticulously. Seeing the team's success while they trained in "The Lawn" gave him great satisfaction. He was prouder still when Graigue Ballycallan won the county titles in 1998 and 2000.
He played with the Kilkenny Seniors on a number of occasions during the 1950s and was a member of the Kilkenny team that played in the first Wembley games in 1958. Nicholas was also a selector on the Kilkenny teams that won the Junior All-Ireland titles in 1996 and 1998. His three sons John, Edward and Nicholas gave great service to their teams, too.
Football was a big passion of his, and with his friend Tom Ryall, he attended all the big games from the mid 1950s. The other great sporting interests in Nicholas's life were horse racing and GAA quizzes.
He was a regular race-goer with his wife Statia, and success was also achieved as part of a quiz team including Tom Ryall, John Power and Milo Hennessey, and occasionally Nicholas's cousin, Michael Teehan.
Farming was his livelihood and he took great pride in his work. He travelled all over Ireland buying and selling cattle, and it would often be late in the night before he could return home.
All of the above mentioned was important to Nicholas, but the thing that mattered most in his life was his wife Statia, who was never far from his side, and their children John, Edward, Nicholas, Helena, Bridget, Mary and Nicola.
As the young lads grew up and the family was extended he was very proud and happy in the company of his grand-children.
Nicholas Teehan's death has left a void that is not easily filled. He lived a life full of happy moments, and he never complained during his illness. If anybody who had contact with Nicholas picked up any of his good qualities, it has been a beautiful joumey. May he rest in peace.
Courtesy of the Kilkenny People. Tweet
