Pat McKeon, Smear, Aughnacliffe who died unexpectedly at his home when on holiday was a native of Cornadrung and a member of a highly respected old established Colmcille farming family who for many decades specialised in the horticultural sector of the industry. Pat received his early education of St Colmcille's NS Cornadrung and from there he went to Warrenstown Agricultural College in Co. Meath from where he graduated with first class honours.

He was brought up in a family totally dedicated to the GAA and Pat like his brothers John, Frank, Gerry, Kieron and Enda represented their parish at underage junior and senior level.
He was prominent figure on the Colmcille junior championship winning team in 1979 defeating Ballymore in the final 0-8 to 1-4. Commenting on the final Leader correspondent Matty Fox in his well written Ballinalee notes said "To me these two sides at junior level have provided as much entertainment for spectators as the most accomplished senior side of the past decade.

This was north Longford football at its best and was typical of what we saw 30 years ago".
Celebrations centred on Slevins of Bunlahy on the Sunday night and Ballymore shared in the rejoicing as Colmcille did two years later when Ballymore won the junior title. For some years Pat was employed with Coilte in nurseries in Ballinalee before moving to construction in Dublin.
Later he joined a firm which specialised in the erection of windmills for generating electricity both here and in the UK.
It was when he was on a short break with his wife and family that tragedy struck. His funeral Mass was concelebrated in Colmcille Church on Saturday 7th May by Rev Fr Seamus McKeon PP, Rev Fr Brian Brennan PP Ballinalee, Rev Fr Eamon Corkery PP Dromard and Fr Coleman Carrigy Killoe. Afterwards the prayers at the graveside were recited by Rev Fr McKeon and Rev Fr Sean Casey PP Killoe as he was been laid to rest. Both the removal and funeral were one of the largest ever in the parish with many travelling long distances to mourn this young man. Deepest sympathy is tendered to his heartbroken family wife Vera, daughter Amy, his mother Rose, brothers John Frank, Gerry Kieron and Enda, sisters Mrs Anna McCabe Cornadrung, Mrs Margaret Caherly USA Mrs Rosaleen McGee Smear and Mrs Bernie McCarthy Killoe together with a large circle of friends and relations.
De go raibh a anam dilis.

Courtesy of the Longford Leader
17th June 2011 Tweet

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