Lennon, Kieran
November 30, 2010Following on the deaths of Johnny and Danny O'Connor in recent weeks, the Abbeyside/Ballincourty club suffered two further sad losses last week through the passing of fifty six year old Kieran Lennon and eighty nine year old Margaret Cashin.
The tragic circumstances of Kieran Lennon's death has left everyone who knew him deeply shocked and saddened. He was a GAA man through and through, and most of all his unwavering loyalty to Abbeyside/Ballinacourty shone like the proverbial beacon. He was a fine young hurler in his own day, but I suspect he will be remembered most for the Trojan service he gave to the club when his playing days had ended.
In particular he involved himself with underage side of things, and last year he was overjoyed in his role as mentor when Abbeyside won the county minor hurling "B" championship. In every sense Kieran was an out and out gentleman and a man I was very genuinely honoured to have been able to call my friend.
Margaret Cashin too was dyed in the wool Abbeyside/Ballincourty and was one of the club's honorary life president. All Of her five sons - Austin, Paddy, Rogie, Nicky, and Eddie, wore the club colours with pride and with equal distinction, and of course we will all remember Nicky an Rogie as hurlers who were more than capable of holding their own on the inter county stage.
Margaret's slate husband Philly also gave decades of invaluable service to the club and indeed to the GAA as a whole, and in terms of commitment it would be difficult to find a family that would surpass the endeavours of the Cashins when it came to Abbeyside/Ballinacourty.
Fitting then the club provided both Margaret and Kieran with impressive guards of honour last weekend with the colours of the club proudly draping their coffins.
Two wonderful people who have crossed the great Divide and will be greatly missed. The sincerest sympathy of the column and columnist is extended to both families.
Ar Dheis De Go Raibh a h-anamacha.
Courtesy of the Waterford News & Star 30/11/10 Tweet
