CHARLIE HEALY; It was with great sadness that all in the Club and the wider community learned, early on last Sunday morning (16th Aug), of the death of Charlie Healy. Although not in good health in recent times it still came as a shock to all who knew and loved him. He was in the Club for the Lotto Draw just eight weeks ago – on Monday, 22nd June. And it was to the Lotto that Charlie gave most of his energies, from a Club point of view, in recent times. He individually sold, on average, 25 tickets, and sometimes up to 40 tickets, on a weekly basis.
But it was his involvement with the legendry C Team that he will be most remembered for in the Club. His record as Manager of that team, along with his good friend and colleague, current Club Chairman Aidan O’Connor, will be hard to surpass. At the helm during 9 consecutive seasons (1997 to 2005) their C Team won 5 Co. Championship titles (the Barrett Cup), including 4 in a row (1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005) and 4 Co. League titles (2000, 2001, 2002, 2005), achieving the double on 2 occasions (2002 and 2005). What an achievement that will be hard to equal or surpass.
He will be missed too on a social level – for his great humour and banter – and he was no mean performer on the dance floor or when it came to render the occasional song or two.
We extend sincere sympathy to Charlie’s family and friends – his wife Ena, sons Cathal, Richard and Paudie; daughters Jacinta, Bernadette and Lorraine;, brother Sonny; and sisters Frances, Betty and Kitty; and to all his grandchildren and extended family.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is also offered to the families of the following who died recently – Roddy Day, Phisborough and late of Tralee; Barbara O’Sullivan (nee McDonagh), Knockmoyle and late of Stevenage (UK) and Carraroe, Connemara; Sue Sweeney (nee Button), Shanakill and late of Belfast and Kent (UK).
HURLING: The 2nd Annual Trevor Barrett Memorial Tournament went ahead in glorious sunshine in Connolly Park last Saturday (15th Aug) and for the 2nd year in a row Causeway emerged Cup champions at the end of a great day’s hurling.
The ideal weather and a super pitch was an added bonus – but it was the brilliant hurling by the four participating teams – Causeway, Killeedy (West Limerick), Austin Stacks and The Exiles – that really made the day.
At the end of the six Round Robin games, where each team played one another, Killeedy and Causeway qualified for the Cup Final (which Causeway, as we have said, won by 4-4 to 2-6) and The Exiles and Stacks qualified for the Shield Final (which Stacks won by 6-7 to 2-8).
The event, as usual, was superbly organized and managed by the Hurling Squad, spearheaded by Peter O’Regan, Ronan Gilsenan, Danny Maguire, Andrew Morrissey and Mike O’Halloran. The Pitch, Dressingrooms and general surrounds, are always in tip top shape when you have people like John Breen, Kevin O’Leary, Noel O’Connell and Denis O’Connor around the place. The catering, led by our excellent Bar Manager, Des Griffin, left nothing to be desired, ably assisted by Nora O’Connor, Annette Carmody, Bernie Mannix, Michael ‘Nappies’ Healy, Terry Healy and Ger Hussey of Jackie’s Sandwiches. And the brilliant Clubhouse music (well some regarded it as brilliant as it included music by The Dubliners and The Wolfe Tones) was presented by none other than Francie Breen.
Our thanks also to our two superb referees, Patrick Corridan and Jim McCarthy, who, despite never putting a foot wrong in all the eight games they referred, were criticized, in equal measure, by all the losing teams. Most unusual and terribly unfair.
And the occasion was attended by a sizeable crowd all afternoon, including a group of Americans who were in Town for the Festival and who were enthralled by the skill of the game of Hurling which they were witnessing for the first time. One woman in the group entertained some of us on the sideline with some beautiful music on her Ukulele.
An added attraction this year was the presence of the Christy Ring Cup (the All Ireland B Trophy won by that great Kerry SH team who defeated Derry by 1-20 to 0-12 in that Croke Park Final on the 6th of June last), along with team captain, John Griffin. John, with Richard Barrett (father of Trevor) and Buff Egan (former Kerry Hurler) made the various presentations to our own Danny Maguire (Man of the Match in the Shield Final), Tim Larkin (Killeedy – Man of the Match in the Cup Final), John Cantillon (Causeway Team Captain) and to Jason Griffin (Causeway – Man of the Tournament).
A special thanks to Club Chairman, Aidan O’Connor, who reminded one and all of Trevor’s many qualities which were celebrated by the occasion. To Adrienne McLoughlin whose wonderful photography captured the day’s event on and off the field and finally to Andrew Morrissey who was the Day’s Master of Ceremonies and who orchestrated all the team events on the day. Andrew, of course, would be part of the Rock team but for that nasty hand injury he picked up in training recently. We wish Andrew a full and speedy recovery as we do to Shane Fitzgerald who is waiting to undergo a cruciate knee operation soon.
And finally many have been enquiring as to who were this team called The Exiles. With a name like that some people assumed they were a visiting team from the US or the UK, in Town for the Festival. But that wasn’t the case. And again it epitomized the whole spirit of the Club. When late on Friday Duagh, through no fault of their own, had to withdrawn, in steps The Exiles, comprised of some of our second squad and the return of a few legends of the game who had graced the hurling fields of the county down the years, including Paudge Lynch, Pat Murphy and Maurice Lenihan (Maurice, incidentally, transferred to Causeway during the course of the day’s Tournament). That must certainly be a first.
So a great day’s entertainment to celebrate the all too short life of a person who will be remembered and cherished by everyone associated with the Rock Club. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers, Trevor. Suaimhneas siorraí duit go deó.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Our next competitive outing will be a trip south to play St. Michaels/Foilmore in round 9 of the Co. League. At the moment the game is fixed for Saturday week (29th Aug) in Foilmore at 6pm.
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL: Our B team are due to travel to Rathmore on Friday week (28th Aug) to play the local side in round 1 (quarter final) of the Co. Championship (The Molyneaux Cup). Throw in at 6.45pm with extra time if required.
MINOR FOOTBALL: In the Central League we have two more rounds to play. No date has yet been fixed for the postponed round 4 game at home to Laune Rangers.
The round 5 game, away to Milltown, has now been refixed for next Monday (24th Aug) at 7pm.
U21 FOOTBALL: Round 1 of the U21 Club Championship kicks off on this Tuesday evening (18th Aug) when we travel to Spa, Killarney to play the local side with a 7pm throw in with extra time if required.
BINGO: continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.
All at the Bingo extend sincere sympathy to Chrissie O’Carroll on the recent death of her brother, Liam Hoare (see sympathy)
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. For Bookings phone Des at 066 7126942 after 8pm any evening.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday Nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last Monday week’s (17th Aug) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 6, 11, 17, and 31.
The €20 Prizes went to Teresa Ashe, c/o Brendan O’Regan; Tom Leen, c/o The Cards; Mary O’Connell, c/o John O’Riordan; and Brendan O’Donnell and Danny Carroll, both c/o Club Rockies.
All at the Draw said a silent prayer for our late colleague, Charlie Healy who was one of our top sellers down the years.