The passing of Michael 'Micky' Clarke
February 17, 2021
A very proud Micky Clarke gets his hands on the 2017 Keegan Cup after Simonstown's victory over Summerhill at Pairc Tailteann. Also in photo are Micky's brother Noel and sister Eileen along with players Seamus Kenny, Sean Tobin, Michael Brennan and Conor Nash
We are sad to telll readers about the passing of Micky Clarke, a man heavily associated with the Simonstown Gaels club.
And in the case of Micky Clarke the word heavily even 'fails to fit the bill', such were his contributions to the Navan unit over the decades.
Micky Clarke did not marry. But he had an affair of a different kind. One that lasted the tests of time, for all of 56 years without a break, no rows, no divorces. A tue love story and Micky Clarke never let his partner Simonstown GAA down.
Micky Clarke saw it all on the Proudstown Road over the decades. From a bunch of enthusiastic youngsters and some not so young, who practised their football skills, every evening of the week in a field behind the Clarke family home, over a mile up Simonstown lane, (hence the name Simonstown), in the early 1960's.
The idea to form a club was mooted, the county board gave their thumbs up in '65, a challenge match was organised and the little acorn started its growth.
Micky Clarke, his brothers and friends became known as the Founding Fathers. Then Navan stoppped at the Round O and St Marys Park. At this stage the club would have been described as a mostly rural outfit.
A junior final was reached in 1970 and who else stood in the opposing corner but downtown neighbours O Mahonys. Micky Clarke gave his best but it was the team in Hoops who prevailed.
Still the bandwagon rolled on. New estates emerged on the north side of Navan and an endless trail of outstanding underage talent walked out the road to the Simonstown grounds.
Underage success came. First at B level and then Simonstown became a dominant force in Meaths top grade. Amazingly in 1988 the club won every A competition in the county, under 12. 13. 14, 15. 16. 17 and minor, the last three for the first time ever and while still a junior outfit.
And Micky Clarke was involved, like in the years prior and still to come. If not in an official capacity, then as a linesman, umpire. If ever there was a gap for filling, he willingly stood in.
Micky was never one to cajole or shout at referees. He was too much of a genteman for that sort of thing, always standing by the motto that the best team won, to him sportsmanship and fair play were the order of the day.
And as the club grew in strength, the facilities went hand in hand. From togging out behind ditches, to the two railway carriages inside the gate, to the Five Star show on offer today. Good enough to be the Meath Vaccine Centre for the months ahead. Micky Clarke watched every brick go into place.
After failing in 1986, Simonstown emeged from the junior grade in '90 and won the intermediate title in '95. Great times for Micky. How he revelled in the success of the Meath team also in these glory days.
He never missed a Meath game and was so proud as the like of Colm Brady and Hank Traynor brought their Celtic Cross' out to the Clubhouse. Not to mention a host of underage players from the club who wore the county jersey with pride and gained due rewards.
Brave efforts were made to bring the Keegan Cup up Flower Hill in the late nineties, in 2003 and the following autumn. But the young players kept emerging and Simonstown's big breakthrough arrived in 2016, a feat repeated in 2017. That pinnacle was reached.
Micky's health declined in recent years and a real emotional moment arose in the aftermath of the Donaghmore final, and again after victory over Summerhill, as the players rushed with the cup to their wheel chair bound President. Micky Clarke holding the Keegan Cup was a lifetime ambition. Superior to winning the Super Lotto, nay ten Super Lotto's.
It is safe to say that Micky Clarke served Simonstown in every possible position, every team, every grade, every section of the club. From collecting that first set of jerseys back in '65, to being chairman, to county board represenative. At the time of his passing he was the club's Honorary President. If the term Honorary, Honorary President existed then it would not look out of place with Micky Clarke's name alongside.
We will finish with one of Micky's trademark sayings. '' Now ---- can you tell me this ''. If he was talking to a horse racing man, another of his great passions, it would have a different meaning. But to his GAA friends it would be along these lines, '' What are Simonstowns chances this year '' or '' Are Meath any good at all '' etc etc. Rest easy Mick.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
Michael Clarke's funeral details are
Arriving to St. Oliver's Church, Navan on Saturday morning for 10.30 o clock. Funeral Mass (max 10 people), which can be viewed on http://www.youtube.com/meathfuneralslive/live. Burial afterwards in St. Mary's Cemetery. Navan.
Mickey's cortege will leave St. Oliver's Church after Mass via his home and Simonstown on his final journey to St. Mary's Cemetery.
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