RIP: The news of the sudden death of TJ Clancy of Cooleregan on Thursday last sent shockwaves around the whole area. TJ was in his early forties and first and foremost was a great family man, a successful dairy farmer and a sports man. He made a huge contribution to Galtee Gaels G.A.A, following in his late father Tom's footsteps as a player. Tom won a county medal in 1957, while TJ was a member of the Galtee Gaels panel that won the County junior title in 1988 and a player on the U-21 team that won the county title in 1988 and 1989. TJ continued his involvement in the Club right up to the end. He regularly lined out for the Junior B team in recent years. As the year moved on the second team would loose players to the first team, hence a call would be made to TJ who would help out. He never failed to answer the call. He was a keen follower of all sports and he passed this love of sport onto his children Joseph and Aoife. He was for many years a member of the Committee of Galtee Gaels and took up the job of Club Secretary for two years as the Club was planning the new building and all funding associated with that. TJ's removal took place from O'Sullivans funeral home Kilbehenny to the Church of Mary Conceived without Sin in Mitchelstown. The coffin was draped in the Galtee Gaels colours and the jersey worn by TJ with distinction. Members of the Club past and present came from all corners of the country to form a guard of honour for their former colleague. Following requiem mass, where the chief celebrant was Canon Tim O'Leary. He was laid to rest in Brigown Cemetery. The gifts at the mass were reflective of TJ's life of sport and farming as were the prayers of the faithful. To his wife Marie, his son Joseph and his daughter Aoife, mother Ann, to his sisters and relatives our sincere sympathies are extended.

Courtesy of the Limerick Leader, July 21st, 2012.


Club mourns TJ

Club na nOg playing activities came to a sudden halt last Thursday morning, 12th July, with news that our longest serving player TJ Clancy had so suddenly departed this life. The news brought shock and dis-belief to the Cork/Limerick border as his neighbours, friends and fellow Galtee Gaels players united in shock with his family. Dis- belief turned to empathy with his loved ones trying to comprehend the void suddenly created in a loving family.

Once the 10-year-old TJ started playing with Galtee Gaels in 1979 he immediately fell in love with the maroon and white jersey or more simply playing football. TJ was unpretentious of his contribution, or of the honours he achieved at underage and junior and intermediate level. Year in, year out, he consistently applied his football abilities up to August last, when he featured in the scoring list against Galbally in a junior B championship tie.

TJ played in many championship games, many county finals and many, many junior B games. He was substituted, sat on the subs bench but always remained positive, always looking forward to the next game. A truly dedicated person, he was renowned for getting in big hits, in training and on the playing field, yet animosity was not in his nature.

TJ also found time to serve on the Galtee Gaels committee and served in officership on a few occasions including club PRO and later as club secretary.

Galtee Gaels players and mentors turned out in large numbers to support the family during the funeral and pay their respects. Galtee Gaels Club na nOg extends our sincere sympathy to his wife Marie, Aoife, Joseph, mother Ann to his sisters and all family members.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
All activities of Club na nOg were cancelled last weekend as a mark of respect.

Courtesy of The Avondhu, July 21st, 2012. Tweet

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