Cawley, Jim
February 12, 2010
Jim Cawley of Bartragh, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo died on February 12th in Ard na Greine Nursing Home, Enniscrone.
At his funeral Mass on February 15th Jim's cousin V. Reverend Fr Michael Conway, PP Crossmolina, delivered a touching and eloquent panegyric in which he paid tribute to Jim's virtuous life of 93 years - his devotion to God, Family, Faith, Church and Community. It was clear to the hundreds listening that Jim, like the poet, Thomas McDonagh, saw God in everything, even in the blades of grass as they grew.
Here, in our "Hogan Stand" magazine we would like to pay tribute to the late Jim for his long and outstanding work on behalf of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. It was fitting that the local Enniscrone/Kilglass Club, as well as the local Golf Club, provided Guards of Honour at his funeral. During the late thirties, forties, the dark days of the Emergency, the fifties and into the mid sixties, Jim did his utmost to keep the old Kilglass Club in existence and acted as its Secretary throughout all those years. The late Tomás Mac Giolla Chadháin described him as "the man who kept the GAA flag flying in Kilglass." When the Club became dormant and a re-organisation meeting was called in February, 1965, out of which grew the present Enniscrone/Kilglass Club, Jim was one of the first to attend. He was elected Secretary and held that position until 1976. Meticulous in correspondence with Co. Board and other clubs it was a pity that some of his team-lists were not preserved. Having learned his Irish at St Muredachs College, Ballina these were written in beautiful old Irish lettering. At St Muredachs Jim was a colleague of the late Archdeacon Moyles on whose football team he played in a College League. A native of Coolaney, Co. Sligo, Jim came to reside with his Aunt at Bartragh, Enniscrone, where he took up farming.
On several occasions he travelled to the All-Ireland Football and Hurling Finals and was delighted to have met several stars of both codes. With friends such as the late Michael John Kavanagh and Michael Burke, N.T. many times he cycled to County Conventions in Collooney, a round trip of over sixty miles. He represented his Club at Divisional and County Board over many years. In Centenary year (1984) he was presented with an award for his outstanding achievements at St Farnans Community Centre by the Chairman of the County Board.
At dheis Láimh Dé go raibh a anam uasal dilis.
Pre-deceased by his wife, Gabriel (nee McGinn) sincere sympathy is extended to his son, Fergal, his cousins, the Conway family and many other relatives.
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