Finn, Billy
May 31, 2004The completely unexpected and untimely death of Billy Finn, of Ballyowen, shocked and numbed his heartbroken family, his friend, his neighbours and all who had come to know and love this gentle and kindly man.
'You could search the whole wide world and you wouldn't find a more decent, a more upright or a more generous neighbour and friend than Billy Finn', was the sincere an indisputable claim of a lifelong Clongeen acquaintance. Similar tributes were universally expressed, on learning of Billy's death, by all who felt proud and privileged to have known him.
Billy's most laudable characteristics were his unshakeable loyalty and commitment to his beloved wife, Nellie, to his wonderful son Liam (RIP) and to their devoted daughters Martina and Michelle.
However, his modest demeanour and warm smile tended to conceal the tremendous inner courage and steely determination of a brave man, who sustained and inspired his family, when beset by the tragedy which so cruelly befell them 24 years ago.
He also bore his own personal affliction with great courage and dignity.
To those in Clongeen G.A.A., who rightly regard Billy as one of the greatest Gaelic football players ever to wear the club's colours, the same heroic attributes of unfailing courage and unswerving loyalty were the most prominent features of his play. His coolness under pressure; on the edge of the square, his prodigious strength and his uncanny ability to pluck the flying leather from the clouds, inspired many a Clongeen victory. Billy was a colossus in that marvellous Clongeen team of the late 60s and early 70s.
The culmination of their valiant efforts was the winning of the 1970 Junior football championship after a truly hectic campaign - consisting of ten games including four draws. The ultimate victory over Buffers Alley was itself a replay - but Clongeen and the Geraldine O'Hanrahans had to play four times to decide the outcome of the New Ross District championship.
As early as 1969 Billy's exploits for Cloneen Junior football team, the Gusserane/Clongeen Under-21 team and the New Ross district Senior football team had won him a place on the Wexford Junior Football team.
In 1971 Billy and four of his Clongeen team-mates, Jimmy Curtis, Fred Casey, Martin Kehoe and Seamie Whelan, played with Wexford in Croke Park in the final of the Leinster Junior championship.
Clongeen G.A.A. club extend their heartfelt condolences to his wife Nelly; daughters, Martina and Michelle, grandson Sam and to his immediate family, jimmy (Edinburgh); Doreen (England); Alice (Dublin) and Mary (Little Cullenstown).
Courtesy of the Wexford People, May 2004. Tweet
