The Late Mattie Kilroy It was with profound sorrow and deep regret that Tremane Club members learned of the death of former great Mattie Kilroy RIP. A former member of the Garda Force, Mattie lived in Cork City since the early 1970s. Aged 54, Mattie took ill on December 18th and died shortly afterwards. Matt, as he was fondly known, started his playing career in 1967 when he won an U14 title with the club. An outstanding forward, Matt was prolific scorer on the great Tremane team that won six county titles between 1972 and 1980. He was present when the team made hurling history on a wet February day in 1977 by beating Kiltormer in the Connacht Final. Tremane became the first Roscommon senior hurling team to defeat a Galway senior team in more than 70 years. He won his first county title in 1972, scoring three goals against Athleague in the semi-final and two goals against Roscommon Gaels in the final. Matt scored 0-3 in the '73 final against Four Roads and 1-2 against St. Dominic's in '74. He was on to win county titles in 1976, 1979 and 1980 and also won four Connacht league titles with Tremane and county league title in this period. He also managed to win a county junior title in 1986 with Athleague/Tremane. An outstanding clubman, the club fondly recall the long journeys from Cork year after year as he said himself: "When I put on the Tremane jersey, I know I am home again." An outstanding gentleman on and off the field. The huge numbers that travelled by car and bus for the removal and burial bore out the high esteem in which he held. To his heartbroken wife, Helen; sons Stephen and Barry; brothers, Jack and Seamus; niece, Meave, nephew, Niall; aunt, Margaret Brennan; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins and a large circle of friends, the club extends its deepest sympathy. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Courtesy of the Roscommon Herald 8th January 2008 Tweet

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