A Co. Tyrone GAA club has been left devastated by the sudden passing of a former handball champion last weekend.

Pomeroy Plunketts GAC said they are “in a profound state of shock” following Brendan ‘Bing’ Kennedy’s death on Friday. The 54-year-old was a former Tyrone Handball chairman who also helped to set up a ladies football section in the club 20 years ago.

"It is fair to say that handball was a passion for Bing. He was a Tyrone juvenile handball champion, winning the Ulster U13 doubles in 1982 partnering Beragh’s Sean McCrory,” Plunketts said in a Facebook post.

“He went on to win the Ulster U15 doubles in 1984 when he was partnered by the late Bill Corcoran. Bing played in no less than seven consecutive Ulster finals between 1981 and 1985.

“He served on the club committee as handball rep and was County board Chair from 2005-2010. During his tenure as chairman, history was made when Bing welcomed the first ever All Ireland Handball Convention to be held within the six counties.

"In 2004 Bing was instrumental in helping to establish the ladies football team as an underage coach and went on to manage the senior ladies.

“Bing took a break from coaching handball in recent years, passing the torch on to his cousin Mickey, but the lure of the alley proved too much and he returned to coaching. He loved coaching kids and spent so much time developing the girls’ game. He had a great passion for handball and never missed a senior football match.

“It is truly a rare thing in this life, to move on from it whilst doing what you love - Bing Kennedy did just that.

“God bless you Bing. To Bing’s wife Caroline, son Martin, daughter Fionnuala and his two adored Grandchildren and to the wider Kennedy family we convey our deepest sympathy. Rest in peace.”

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