The Late Noel Sheehan Noel Sheehan who died tragically on October 12, ironically whilst working at a GAA pitch, St Patrick's Park, was Chairman of HWH-Bunclody GAA club's Coiste na nÓg committee and a dedicated servant to under-age GAA in the county. Originally from the Courtown area, Noel first came to Bunclody almost 30 years ago when he met his future wife, Geraldine Deane. Noel and Ger subsequently married 25 years ago and they had just returned from Italy where they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Since they married, Noel and Ger assimilated themselves totally into the Bunclody community through their involvement not just with the GAA., but also through their involvement with various groups in the locality and indeed, through being one of the most sociable couples in Bunclody! Noel was tremendously proud of his sons, Mark and Stephen, particularly their significant sporting prowess. Amongst the many proud moments while watching their careers progress, Noel took special pride when Mark played in the Leinster Minor football final against Dublin in Croke Park, and when Stephen was picked to represent Ireland in the Under-17 compromise Rules contest. The fact that both his sons progressed to play Senior football together for HWH-Bunclody also held a special significance for him. Peter and Mick, Noel's brothers, both still live in the Courtown area and Noel kept in very close contact with both. While his sisters, Attracta, Mona and Lily, all live abroad, Noel has visited them on many occasions. Noel always remained a proud Sheehan, despite becoming a true Bunclody man. Noel had been a pillar of strength to the Deane family, another strong Bunclody GAA family over the years, most recently when Michael Snr., or 'The Boss', as Noel called him, passed away, and during his illness prior to that. To the HWH-Bunclody club, Noel's passing forms a huge void in our organisation. Noel was a mentor, selector, committee member in the club for several years, and for the past three years he had been Chairman of our Coiste na nÓg committee. As Chairman, he had been responsible for the co-ordination of ten hurling and football teams, and for the co-ordination of coaching of our games in the local Bunclody, Kilmyshall and Carrigduff National Schools. At all times, he actively promoted the playing of our games to the youth of the area, not just for the sake of the club, but in the belief that it was important to get children out to take part in sport at some level, to help improve their social skills and indeed just to make them better people. In his four-year tenure as Minor football selector, Noel had been involved in three county finals, winning two, while this year's team also reached the county final after his untimely passing. For the past couple of years, if one wanted to see Noel, one would have to go up to HWH-Bunclody's GAA pitches - if he wasn't there our youngsters must have been playing an away match. In essence, there are hundreds of young people for eight years old to the mid-twenties in the Bunclody/Kilmyshall community whose lives have been enriched by the efforts of Noel Sheehan. The massive attendance of these same youths at Noel's removal and funeral are testament to this. One hundred and forty club members formed his guard of honour at his removal, over half of them members of Coiste na nÓg. The genuine grief displayed by so many young club members, as well as older representatives as well as members of several other clubs at his funeral, he will be missed in the wider Wexford GAA community. However Noel was not solely a GAA man. He was always available to help any group or individual in his community. He was immediately available to assist earlier this year when a major fire occurred in Bunclody, pushing himself on for the sake of others. Noel was always available to help make Bunclody a better place whether it be the Christmas lights, bunting, you name it - he was available. He had a truly remarkable zest for life- he loved it and he lived it to the full. It's not many people who can say that they had been off on three holidays in the past year, but Noel did. He was always on the go, indeed on the day he died, he had three different meetings arranged for that evening with different people from the GAA and wider community. Noel enjoyed his work, his GAA involvement and loved his family. Indeed, he had planned to step down this year as Coiste na Óg Chairman, with a view to spending more time with Ger. Tragically, this was not to be, but everyone who knew Noel will know the infectious enthusiasm he had for life. The following extract from "A Truly Successful Life" by Faye Kilday seems an appropriate conclusion to this article "An truly successful life is one that's filled with laughter, love and fun, That laughs in the faces of failure and fear, That follows its heart and is always sincere, That enriches the lives of all who draw near, A truly successful life is one whose value remains when its work is done." Noel's work is done. He had set high standards for us who follow in terms of his commitment, his common-sense approach to the issues of youth today and just interaction with others. Colagh samh a Nollaig, agus ar dheis De go raibh anam. Micheal Mahon Courtesy of the Wexford People 6th January 2005 Tweet

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