Sad to report the passing of Kevin Mallon who in his role with LMFM was the voice of Meath GAA for decades.

Kevin brought every moment of the action in the epic four-in-a-row series of games with Dublin during 1991 to the Meath public unlucky not to be in Croke Park.

And then there was his legendary words from another series of epic encounters with Kildare during 1997. '' There is a God. He's a Meath man'', he remarked. 

Three games with the Lilywhites and in the first replay Meath looked dead and buried. Along came Jody Devine and a list of extraordinary points, extra time and the Royals lived to fight another day.

Coincidentally Jody was from the same club as Kevin's first footballing Alma Mater, Ballinlough.

He first lined out for the north Meath unit as a 12 year old in the juvenile championship of 1966. Always immaculately togged out, Kevin's talent was so obvious from the beginning. So was his ability to snipe for goals

He started for Ballinlough in the under 21 final of 1970. Because of Vincent Lynch's, a senior and under 21 star, involvement with the Meath team who reached the All-Ireland decider of that year and for a host of other reasons, this final was not played until late 1971. 

Unfortunately for Kevin and Ballinlough a very talented Seneschalstown xv proved too strong on the day.

Come 1973 and Kevin found himself in goals for the Meath minors. He guarded his nets admirably, placed his kick outs with expertise but again no luck for Kevin. Hosts Westmeath got off to a terrific start during the opening round of the Leinster championship. 

However a Mick Ryan led second half revival had Meath on level terms before a long range Westmeath pointed free edged matters.

Kevin attended secondary school in Oldcastle, played soccer for the local team and became friendly with a number of the Oldcastle lads. He decided to join the town side at adult level.

As luck would have matters, Oldcastle's opponents in the first round of the 1974 Meath intermediate championship were neighbour Ballinlough at the Martry venue.

It was a tight affair. But a Kevin Mallon goal, chipping the keeper from thirty yards, was the deciding score. Oldcastle with Kevin usually wearing the number 15 jersey, made it to the championship knock out stages that summer.

Later with the family moving to the Ashbourne area, Kevin threw his lot in with the local Donaghmore club.

Kevin was a secondary teacher and taught in St Patricks Navan for many years. English was his special subject and he was extremely popular with all students, providing good advice and often placing them on the proper pathway for their life ahead.

He retired from his teaching role some years back. At this time he was heavily involved with the newly formed Castleknock club who were making rapid progress up the Dublin ranks.

Until very recently he was submitting the Castleknock GAA  notes to Hoganstand.com on a weekly basis. As they say around his native north Meath area, Kevin Mallon was '' One in a lifetime''.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

Kevins funeral details

Reposing at home on Tuesday from 4pm until 7pm. Removal on Wednesday to St. Mochta's Church, Luttrellstown Road, Dublin 15 arriving for Requiem Mass at 10am and thereafter to Dardistown Crematorium arriving at 12.20pm.

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