The late Terry Behan Killenard and its surrounding areas were shocked to their core with the tragic death of Terry Behan (52). From Tierhoger, Terry was the youngest of nine children and was a talented Gaelic footballer with O'Dempsey's. He played with the club for many years, winning a senior title in 1980, the last time the club tasted championship success. He also played for the Laois U-21s and played in the 1975 Leinster final which Laois lost to Dublin. Remembered as an extremely determined footballer or as Liam Dinlay, O'Dempsey's chairman, would say "the toughest that ever played for O'Dempsey's", the highest profile player to come off second best with him was Dublin's Brian Mullins in that '75 Leinster final. Winner of three Laois U-21 medals in 1971, 72 and 73 (the first two with a combined Portarlington/O'Dempsey's team), he was full back on the O'Dempsey's team that won the Laois SFC in 1980, having lost the final three years earlier. A chance for a second medal came three years later but St Joseph's beat them in the final and, 24 years on, the club are still waiting to appear in another final. Terry's funeral mass took place in Killenard on Sunday May 6th 2007. Terry is survived by his wife Ailish, brothers Jack, Noel and Paddy, sisters Anne (O'Connor), Bridie (Fitzgerald), Peg (Lacey) and Betty (Delaney), nephews, nieces, relatives and neighbours and friends. He is pre-deceased by his parents and sister Mary (Behan). Ar dheis de go raibh a ainm uasal. Courtesy of the Leinster Express 9 May 2007 Tweet

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