Kilgannon, John
July 16, 2008
The Late John Kilgannon
The entire club has been deeply saddened at the news of the untimely death of our junior team manager John Kilgannon.
John assumed the role last year and he took on the job with great enthusiasm and gusto and led the team to the Junior. Shield final in what was their first year playing adult football. He was equally enthusiastic about making further progress this year but his plans were abruptly curtailed when he developed a serious illness just weeks into the current season. Although a native of Garryduff in Templeboy and like his older brother Padraic, he played his club football with neighbours St Pats with whom he won a County Senior Championship in 1968. In the same year he has the distinction of playing with Sligo in the All-Ireland Minor Final against Cork, the only occasion on which the Co. appeared in the decider.
As a young boy he attended Kilrucheighter NS and made an early impression as a footballer of note with the school team, playing in the many school sports meetings which were a regular feature of the time. He received his post-primary education in St Muredach's College where, according to the late Canon Halloran among others, he was one of the most accomplished footballers of his generation. On completion of his schooling he spent some time working as a substitute teacher in local National Schools and students of that time in Gleaneaskey NS recall with fondness his stint there as he was the first teacher to bring a football into school. Shortly after the tragic death of his father in 1969 his family moved to Dublin and John eventually joined the army, spending much of his time in the Ordnance Survey office in the Phoenix Park.
He continued to visit Templeboy on a regular basis and it was little surprise when he built a new house in his beloved Garryduff a few years ago and spent much of his time there in the past two years along with his wife Cathy and the couple planned to return to live there permanently later this year. However in recent weeks his condition deteriorated and he finally lost the battle on Friday last. His remains were brought back to Garryduff and many of his former playing colleagues were among the large crowds of people who called to pay their respects. His remains were laid to rest in the local cemetery on Monday. We extend our deepest sympathy to is wife Cathy, mother Winnie, sons Paul, Geoffrey and Eoin, brothers Padraic and Christy and sisters Mary and Breege.
Ar dheis lamh De go raibh se
Courtesy of the Sligo Champion
July 16th
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