Stenson, Johnny
September 16, 2009Tributes continue to pour in for a man described as one of Sligo's greatest gaels, the 'gentle giant' that was former county player and manager, Johnny Stenson, who died on Wednesday.
Johnny of Greenfort Estate and formerly of Cloonagh, Curry was a member of the Sligo team which won the Connacht Senior Championship in 1975 and was subsequently beaten by Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final.
He played twenty championship games for his county, making his debut against Galway in June 1973. His last appearance in the championship in the 'black and white' came against the same opposition in June, 1986.
He also figured prominently in national league games for Sligo. He is particularly remembered for an outstanding display against Offaly in the league semi-final of 1973 and the previous year he won a county championship with Curry.
Johnny also played at provincial level and was closely associated with his native Curry club, where he was a mentor at under-age level, senior manager and Chairman and the St. John's Club in Sligo town, where he also assisted under-age teams and the senior side. He was a former selector with the county minors.
It was renowned as an excellent fielder, and a 'drop kick' specialist.
Widely respected by all those who met and knew him, be it on the playing fields or off them, Johnny Stenson was regarded as a true gentleman, always encouraging those around him and prepared to give his time to develop players of all abilities to achieve their full potential.
He can be credited with giving debuts to the likes of Eamonn O'Hare, Paul Taylor, Ken Killeen and Nigel Clancy in a distinguished career.
A modest man, Johnny never sought the limelight and always saw the good and positive in people.
While he made his home in the St. John's Club area, he loved his place of birth and regularly followed the fortunes of Curry at all grades.
He played juvenile, junior and senior college football and Benada and worked for the E.S.B. in both Dublin and Ballyshannon.
Johnny passed away in the loving care of the North West Hospice on September 9th. He survived by his wife Catherine; son Shane; daughter Gráinne; mother Kitty; brother; Martin; sisters Mary and Andrea; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nephews, nieces, grandnephews, cousins, and a wide circle of friends and former playing colleagues.
Removal took place from Feehily's Funeral Home, Cartron Cross, on Friday to St. Anne's Church. Mass of the Resurrection took place at 1.00pm on Saturday with burial afterwards in Curry cemetery.
The attendance at both the removal and funeral was a fitting tribute to a man who epitomised what the G.A.A. is all about.
The senior championship semi-final between St. John's and Tourlestrane scheduled for Markievicz Park on Sunday afternoon was postponed as a mark of respect. Other matches were rescheduled and a minute's silence was observed at various venues over the weekend.
A meeting of the Markievicz Park Development Committee was adjourned on Wednesday night last as a mark of respect to Johnny, a former member.
Speaking to The Sligo Champion, the player/manager of the 1975 Connacht Championship winning team, Barnes Murphy, said that Johnny Stenson was well respected by all those who knew him.
"Catching was one of his greatest skills on the pitch and off the field he was just a lovely fellow. Everyone liked him and of all the people I played with or against, he was the most unassuming character," Barnes added.
The Chairman of the Sligo County Board, John Murphy said the late Johnny Stenson was " a wonderful character."
"From his playing days to his days as a manager, be it with club or county. Johnny endeared himself to everyone. He had a very easy approach, but he still got the work done and there can't have been anyone who had a cross word with him. There are very few people like that," he added.
"He gave great service as a player, manager and administrator and was always in good humour, with the result that anyone who was in his company always enjoyed it," Mr. Murphy said.
Courtesy of the Sligo Champion
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