Tinahely and surrounding areas were shocked at the sudden death on July 6th of Kevin Furlong, one of the great gaels of Wicklow. he was 72. He lived most of his life at the Togher, Tinahely, although he spent some time working in England. He worked with the ESB putting up electricity poles and bringing rural electrification to Tinahely in the late 1950s and also worked at Hills of Fairwood, Tinahely for some years. Kevin will be best remembered in the local community as a stalwart of the GAA. He played football for Ballinglen GAA during the 1950s and when the Ballinglen Club disbanded in 1959, he transferred to Knockananna GAA Club. One of his treasured possessions was a group photo taken by Martin Morris of the Ballinglen GAA team at Tinnakilly, Aughrim on May 18,1958, when Ballinglen drew with Avoca in the first round of the championship. The photo remained prominently displayed in the entrance hall of his house. At this time, there was no Tinahely Club as it had lapsed soon after WW1. Along with other committed people, Kevin promoted the re-establishment of the Tinahely GAA Club and was a founder member of the club in 1961. Kevin worked hard for Tinahely GAA and served as a dedicated selector for the senior team during 1970s and 1980d. One of his happiest days was in 1984 at Aughrim when Tinahely GAA won its first and only Senior Football Championship. His son Brendan was on the team. He was thrilled when, against the odds, Tinahely GAA beat Wexford Sarsfields and St Fechin's (Louth) to reach the Leinster Club Football finals in December 1984. Andy O'Brien, Chairman of Wicklow GAA said: "Kevin will be sadly missed by the GAA community in Wicklow. He made a great contribution to Tinahely GAA over a long period as a player, selector and he was very far-sighted in being a founder member of the new Club in 1961. Kevin left us a tremendous football legacy." Despite failing health in his later years, he was a faithful attender at Killaveney first Mass on Sundays. Fr Fahan PP, Killaveney, was chief celebrant at his Requiem Mass on Monday July 9th which was co-celebrated by Fr Hayden CC and Fr Hammill (Annacurra). Tinahely GAA Club formed a guard of honour which included his 1958 Ballinglen GAA team-mates (Jim Whelan, Des Morris, Sonny Kavanagh) together with Pat Doyle (President), Vincent Blake (Chairman) and Dr Michael Morris (Secretary). The overflowing crowds of mourners were a testament to his popularity and as a mark of respect for Kevin, the Senior Football Championship match between Tinahely and Baltinglass, which had been scheduled for July 8, was postponed. Kevin is survived by his wife Helen, His children Julie, Willie, Brendan, Olive, Richard and Terry. Courtesy of The Wicklow People. July 2007 Tweet

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