McCaffrey, Christy
July 30, 2010The death of Christy McCaffrey caused much regret and shock among the community. Christy was a much-liked character in Mohill and surrounding areas. Christy was a great sportsman and he took part in many sports.
He was a brilliant footballer and indeed he was on the Leitrim panel in 1958 when they were narrowly beaten in the Connacht final, a game that Packie McGarty gave one of the greatest displays ever seen in Ireland.
Christy was a talented hurler and was on the newly formed St. Finbarr's team when they beat Carrick in the final which was played in the Grange of Cloone in 1964. He would have won many more titles but for the fact employment and indeed would have been on the Mohill which won the Senior Football championship in 1971.
Getting back to the hurling match it will be remembered for Timmy Slevin's puck-outs which landed on the 21 line in the opposing half and his sideling cutting of balls went all of 80 yards and the big crowd were in awe as most of them had never seen a hurling match before. That game contained such stars as Peter Gordon, Noel Carey, Jim Wall, Jim Beirne and Kerry man Pat Lynch who was instrumental in forming the club along with Oliver Higgins.
Christy did not win any sliver with Mohill footballers as the year Mohill won the Junior Championship of 1957, Christy was playing with Ballinamore and indeed had the honour of winning a Senior champion medal in 1956. Christy was also an accomplished golfer and equally adept at darts.
We have no doubt that Christy along with Philly McGuinness and Paul Greenan will be planning Mohill's ambitions for 2010.
The last time the scribe had the honour of being in Christy's company was in Cusack's hostelry only a few months ago and was in the best of spirits that day.
We offer our sincerest sympathy to his wife Margaret, children Dymphna, Shauna, Josephine and Maria, his sisters Doris, June and Darla.
Good luck, Auld son.
Courtesy of the Leitrim Observer
July 30th 2010 Tweet
