The Late Denis Hoctor One of the best known members of the community of Carrig passed to his eternal reward on November 7th last. Denis Hoctor, Cronkill, Carrig, Birr was just a month short of his 90th birthday when his death occurred and news of his passing evoked widespread sympathy throughout the area. Mr Hoctor was well known in the farming community, having farmed in the area for a long number of years. He was a skilled farmer, particularly in the use of machinery, and his ploughing skills were always admired. He was well known figure at the fair days in the past and later at the cattle marts. His other great interest was hurling and he maintained his interest in the gam througout his lifetime. He played and won championships with Birr Juveniles and minors in the late 1920s and early 1930s. In 1933 a new club was formed in the Carrig & Riverstown area known as Lougheen Rovers (which later became Carrig & Riverstown), and in their very first year they won the county championship. That was all of 70 years ago. The Carrig & Riverstown Club later paid a tribute to Denis when they planted trees in his honour at Cronkill in recognition of his lifelong support of the club. He was the last surviving memner of that 1933 team and rarely missed a Carrig & Riverstown match up to recent times. Carrig & Riverstown won Junior and Intermediate titles in successive years in the mid 1990s and Denis had four nephews on those teams and it was a source of great pride and delight for him to witness that. The club formed a Guard of Honour when his remains were removed to Carrig Church, which was a fitting tribute to Denis on his last journey to his native village. Denis is survived by his brother, Vincent (Roscrea), sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends, to all of whom sympathy is extended on their loss. Following Funeral Mass in Carrig Church, he was laid to rest in the Village cemetery. 23rd November 2003 Courtesy of the Midland Tribune Tweet

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