Recent deaths 23-05-09

The death occurred on 30th April last of Mr Rickard (Rick) Grogan, who was goalkeeper on the Meath All-Ireland junior hurling championship winning team of 1948. Mr Grogan was a garda based in Kells at the time, and was a member of the Kilskyre hurling club. He was classed as the 'tallest goalkeeper in hurling" at six feet, three inches. Deceased was born in Rathkeale, Co Limerick in July 1925, but soon after moved with his family to Donaghmore, near Rathdowney, Co Laois, where his father, William was appointed the first creamery manager in 1928. His parents decided to send their fourth of five children to St Kiernan"s College, Kilkenny for his education. From there he entered An Gárda Siochána and trained in the then training centre in The Phoenix Park, Dublin. A posting to Kells followed in 1947, and he joined Kilskyre hurling club. Mr Grogan was goalkeeper on the Meath junior hurling team that staged an overwhelming victory over Limerick by 5-8 to 2-1 in the 'home final" at Portlaoise, and qualified to meet London in the 'away" final at London. The Meath Chronicle report of the Portlaoise game states: 'In Grogan, Meath had a custodian beyond improvement and at times when scoring was level he brought off numerous saves and stopped shots that whined in from treacherous angles. A feature of his play was his clever clearances to the side and his long pucks that seldom fell short of the 70 line'. That Meath team went on to beat London in the All Ireland JHC in Navan on 31st October 1948, after drawing earlier in the month in the English capital. When Meath drew with Wexford, the National League champions with the Rackards on their side, in the first round of the Leinster championship in 1951, the Chronicle wrote: 'It may seem an injustice to select any member of the Meath team for special mention, but his colleagues will not begrudge our giving the palm of stardom to Dick Grogan whose magnificent display between the sticks, particularly in the first half, foiled Wexford of many scores. 'That fella must be the best goalkeeper in Ireland,' we heard a Wexford supporter mutter disconsolately as, in the second half, the Kells man"s flashing stick knocked the brains out of fierce Wexford assaults. He was unbeatable with any kind of shot, high or low that came within range of his hawk like eye'. These displays did not go unnoticed and the Irish Press on Saturday January 19th 1952 flashed a headline: 'A Meath Goalie the Only Surprise!" 'Of the fifteen men to represent the province in the Railway Cup hurling, they had reached agreement on only six, and of those the only selection which could be termed 'a surprise' was that of R Grogan of Meath, who was selected as goalkeeper'. Unfortunately the result of the game played in the Athletic Grounds, Cork (now Pairc Ui Chaoimh) went to Munster on a score line of 4-8 to 3-5. The Irish Press reported: 'The Leinster backs did not have a very happy hour, and it must be said in favour of the newcomer Grogan, that in view of the poor protection of his defence, he justified his selection, and on several occasions reproduced the saves which won him his place.' Mr Grogan also won a Meath County junior hurling championship medal with Kells-based club Erin"s Own in 1952. On 1st September, 1954, he married Stella Sheridan of Carrick Street. Hurling continued to play its part even when on their honeymoon, a telegram was dispatched (9th September "54) to the Mitre Hotel, Central Promenade, Douglas, Isle of Man, and read: 'Anxious you play Sunday Navan against Dublin - Fr Tully.' It was Mr Grogan"s last game for the Royal County, as he was transferred by An Gárda Siochána to Carlingford, Co Louth, soon after. He later served in Dublin, and Templemore, where he was involved in founding the Garda Driving School, and Cork. He passed away on Thursday 30th April, at St Finbarr"s Hospital, Cork. Deceased is survived by his wife Stella, sons, Bill, Donal, Ricky and Andrew, daughters-in-law and grand-children. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Catherine Moore, London Mrs Catherine (Kitty) Moore, London, who died on 8th May last, was wife of the late James (Seamus) Moore, of Horath, Carlanstown, a member of the Meath Association of London. Mrs Moore was a member of the Cregan family of Avoca, Co Wicklow, and was aged over 90 years. She passed away at Can Misses Hospital, on the island of Ibiza, where she was on holiday with her son James and daughter, Mary, in the company of six friends. Deceased met her husband in the 'Hole in the Wall Club" in Kilburn, London, when they both went to London in the 1940s. Mr Moore was a founder member of the Meath Association, and died in 1974, aged just 50. Mrs Moore will be recalled as always being the epitome of good nature, never having a cross word for anyone and enjoying the best of health and happiness during most of her long life. She is survived by her family, James, London, Mary, London, Michael, Navan, Thomas, Oswestry, UK; grandchildren, Samantha, Kai, Aaron, and Connor; sister, Josie; nephews and nieces; brothers-and sisters-in-law; and many friends. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ David Kennedy, Drumbaragh The recent sudden death of Mr David Kennedy, Drumbaragh, Kells, at his home, caused great shock and sadness across the area. Aged 57, the builder was a native of Fyanstown, Kells, and was husband of Philomena. He is also survived by his sons, Cathal, London, Rory, Dublin; daughter, Sinead, Kells; brother, Michael, Fyanstown; sisters, Maureen and Nora, both Manchester. The funeral took place from St Colmcille"s Church, Kells, to St Colmcille"s Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Kieran McGuinness, Walterstown There was widespread shock and sadness following the death of Kieran McGuinness (39), of Fairlands, Walterstown, Navan. Deceased was a miner at Tara Mines for almost 20 years, joining in July 1989. He is remembered as a family man who was a loving husband and father to his three young daughters. Mr McGuinness is survived by his wife, Elaine; daughters, Caoimhe (8), Aisling (7) and Grainne (2); parents, Oliver and Grace; brothers, Patrick and Andrew; sisters, Linda, Olivia and Jennifer; grandmother; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews; mother-in-law, brothers- and sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Walterstown, to Mountown Cemetery on 8th May last. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Maureen Smith, Athboy The regretted death occurred on 28th April last of Mrs Maureen Smyth, Cloneymore, Athboy, at her residence. Aged 77, she was a member of the Scanlon family of Cloneymore, and was wife of the late Richard Smith, who passed away in 2001. Deceased is survived by her family, Linda Dorrington, Matthew Smith, Una Clohessy, Paul Smith, Catherine Smith, Sandra Hogan; sister, Breda Ameen; grandchildren; in-laws, friends and neighbours. The funeral took place from St Laurence"s Church, Rathmore to the adjoining cemetery.