Curry GAA is mourning the death of one of its best known stalwarts following the death of John (Jack) Brennan, after a short illness. A former chairman, County Board representative and the club's Honorary Patron and a man who served his beloved 'green and white' in a variety of other roles, he was manager of the Curry side which won the county senior championship title for the first time in forty years in 1964 with a comfortable 1-14 to 2-5 victory over St. Kevin's. It proved a memorable year for Curry as they completed the double by winning the league, with Collooney Harps as runners-up. In his role as team manager, Jack would also organise transport to and from matches as he was one of the few in the area who owned a car in the early days. He always retained a keen interest in the GAA and the fortunes of Curry in particular. He was a regular attender at matches up to recent years. He was born in 1916 in Carrowilkin, Curry and farmed all his life. Jack had a very close relationship with the farming community in and around Curry and had the distinction of purchasing a 'Nuffield' tractor, again one of the first in the area. It was transported via train to Tubbercurry. Prior to this, he ploughed with horses and continued this practice for both himself and his neighbours on the new tractor. Regarded as something of an entrepreneur, Jack also purchased the first thrashing mill used in Curry. Later, when he purchased another tractor, he drove it all the way from Cork to Curry. Jack provided a hackney service in the area in the 1930' and 40's and he experienced the sad time of emigration as he drove many people to both Cobh and Dublin on their way out of Ireland. Jack had a very keen mind and was a good historian in his own right. He died at St. John's Hospital on November 22nd. he is survived by his wife, Rita; family Bernard, Margaret, Joan, Anne, Helen, Padraic, Teresa; grandchildren Sarah, Anne, Eva, Una, Ena, Jack, Shane, Conor, Cathal, Sean, Fergal, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law;brother Tom, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his infant son, Sean and daughter Maire (O'Connell) Kilkenny. Removal took place from his home to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Curry, on Monday, November 24th, and his funeral took place to Rhue Cemetery the following day after Requiem Mass. Sligo Champions, 10/12/08 Tweet

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