Death of Seamus Cregan.Dunderry.

Sheamin from Tullaghanstown died last night in his sleep.He got his wish in this as he told our Finn in a recent visit that he wished to go this way.
I knew that the writing was on the wall when he failed to attend the Champoinship replay last Saturday,a game he would miss only if entirely unfit to attend.
He was at the drawn game but looked awful and one just knew he had but little time.
This 80 year true blue Gael and fanatical Dunderry GAA man was  one of a diminishing number of survivors of his generation  who knew what real hardship was and whose values were impeccable.
In the game of life ,the most important  game of all ,he played a blinder and will be feted for eternity in the company of the Referee of all the ages .
His sole surviving sibling is Angela and she too is under pressure.
All here sympathize with her and all belonging to him.,especially his nephews and nieces.
Ar dheis De go raibh a hAnam Dilis.
His remains will be reposing in Fitzsimonses  Funeral Home,Navan from 2.30 p.m.to 6.30 p.m tomorrow Sunday thence to Dunderry Church to arrive at 7.00.pm.
Funeral Mass is on Monday at midday -12.00a.m and burial at Dunderry graveyard ,where as I write this a massive crowd of neighbours and friends are digging his grave in accordance with long established tradition.

The line of Life.

The tinker woman was in bad form.The country people had no money themselves never mind enough spare stuff to  to help her out.
In this frame of mind a countrywoman asked her could she tell the future."I can hardly tell the time never mind the future"said she."
"I'll give ya thruppence if ya do."
"OK so.There's the line of life and there's the line of sorrow and if you fail to shite today you'll surely shite tomorrow."

DUNDERRY 0-12.COLMCILLES 0-12

T.J will have to put his kacks on hold for another week.The replay is next Saturday.And our bad luck in training continues.Marty Garry tore his calf muscle at training last Friday.That's Finn,O Shea and Marty out of commission.Surely worth more than one point were thery playing.
This is not  a match report ,just a summary.
Reilly their County player got gate after 2 minutes,a straight red.He struck Conor Dempsey and the sideline man nailed him.
The ref.had no option,but if the Mc Entees want to put more steel into County footballers they will have to start with the referees who are all devotees of the Eugene Mc Gee school of gentility.Not a sign of dirt in the game even.
Were a genie to grant us a wish we would have looked for Graham Reilly to have an off day,not to be sent off.But off he was sent anyhow and will miss the replay.
Despite this they led by 6 ponits to 4 at half time and could have snatched it with a missed free towards the end.
We are stubborn sons of bitches and don't know how to lose.
The Gods are on our side and our ducks are lining up.DO NOT WRITE US OFF.
I was in the disabled compound.Seamin Cregan was there too in a wheelchair.He was sprung from the Mater for the day.He is well with it and had a steady string of Gaels visiit him during and after the game.
He once said of a poor Dunderry player "Take him off and put no one on "in a match where we had no subs.
He remarked today that Colmcilles had no one over them after they substituted their number 10 who was playing well.Not so slow.
Francie Tuite,surely Dunderry's oldest living player was there.The whole of Dunderry was there and every Dunderrian within driving distance.
The flags and banners and signs and bales of black and white silage are there for another day.
Come on Dundrry.

True Blues.

I don't know where this phrase originated .I understand it to mean an unflinching loyalty to whatever or whoever you are are involved with.I prefer to think it was coined for supporters of the Dubs.but doubt it.
I take loyalty seriously.
The first thirty years of my life were spent as a ultra loyal member of St.Brigids GAA Club ,Blanchardstown,the next thirty as a fanatical supporter and worker for Dunderry GAA Club.
I cannot understand how anybody suckled in the ambiance of his /her Club can be disloyal or turn their back on that Club.
Certainly some people inveigle their way into GAA Clubs from time to time who ,beneath appearances of loyalty are really nasty bits of stuff and cause the Club harm by alienating far more loyal members by subterfuge .
That is why I rage when we fail to field teams in competition or when members with a track record of good service are given the bum's rush.
Anyhow we in Dunderry still produce the truest of blues,or more accurately back and whites .
Eamonn Kane ,a man whose antestors were steeped in the Gaelic game and what it stands for ,plied his football skills with Robinstown until their sad demise because of lack of players.
He straight away transferred his loyalty to the overarching Parish team Dunderry and his son Mark has fought his way into the starting fifteen for Sunday as far as I know.Certainly he has figured in most of the matches he was available for.
It is true to say that his Ma and Da haven't missed a match and are fierce proud of him.As well they should be.His sister Ashling is in Australia this while back but follows Dunderry avidly on Social Media.
Well his wife's sister Lorraine went of to Aus. to visit her niece a few weeks ago and intended to stay for a good holiday.
When Dunderry won the semi final she decided to cut her holiday short and come home for the Final.
Eamon went to Dublin Airport to collect her during the week.
When he was waiting he met Marty Garry at the same gate.Marty is playing all year too."And what brings you here "says Eamonn."I'M collecting T.J."said Marty."I thought T.J .had just flown back to Aus.after a holiday at home just a few weks ago"said Eamo."He has indeed ,but no way was he going to miss the Final on Sunday".
Well" Holy God" said Eamo as they all head towards home together.
"Hauld up Dad "said a female voice as the walked away and looking behind he sees  His daughter Aisling catching up.She wasn't due home for yonks.
Eamo is one happy man and Dunderry is one privileged Club.
By 3.30 next Sunday the Showgrounds will be choc a block with Dunderrians.And I know that those abroad who plied a their trades with us and love the green grass of home will be there in spirit .
My heart goes out to our Finn and Conor O Shea,who busted themselves on the field of play to get this far and who are unable to play because of injury,especially Finn who has laid it on the line for the Club for over 25 dedicated years.
Conor is young enough to recover and play for decades.Time is not on Finn's side.
The experts favour Colmcilles.I favoured Walterstown against Colmcilles in the semi after watching the first half and boy was I wrong.
We are fit and it is all on the day.We need every man to play to his potential.
With T.J.home I fully expect to see a streaker run from Flanagan's to Horans and Geraghty's  at midnight Sunday with a Dunderry flag wrapped around his.............head.
Come on Dundrry.

Death of Lisa Brady,Black Road.

Just a short while ago I wrote of the untimely death of Alan Brady of the Black Road,Robinstown ,at the tender age of 66 years,I believe.He was my second cousin.
In my tribute I sympathized with his immediate family including his daughter Lisa on their loss.I also said that life had thrown many curve balls at them in their lives and that they had bravely faced up to these misfortunes and got on with it,or words to that effect.
I sympathized with Lisa ,who I didn't know well ,at that time and little imagined that the Man above would be calling her home so soon after the death of her father.
Well He has as she has recently died at the tender age of 32 years..Of pneumonia if rumour is to be believed .
Now I didn't know Lisa well but would have kept in my head any  information that came my way concerning her and her progress through life.
I understand that she had leukemia for many years but thought she had it bet.I know that she got poorly from time to time but never let it get her down and battled hard to restore her health and spirit.
I know that she qualified  as a teacher,despite her illness and taught in Kilbride of this Parish for two years approximately and I think Robinstown as well.
I know that she was and is highly thought of  by all who met her in these environments.Alan idolized her.
I know that between illnesses at one stage she joined O.Mahony's Camogie Club to stay fit and get exercise in a pleasant environment ,where she befriended my daughter MAGS ,who happens to be her cousin although I  doubt if this ever struck them.
I know that she went to school with my niece Laurie Stephens and was a friend of Louise Byrne another niece.They are all in the teaching fraternity.
I know she was a peach of a girl from the few meetings we had.
And I know full well that her mother Margaret and her brother David must be beyond grief with this turn of events.AS indeed must be all her uncles ,aunts ,cousins ,relatives and a multitude of friends.
Ar Dheis De go raibh a hAnam Dilis.
My heart goes out to them.
The funeral Mass is tomorrow at 10.00 a.m.in Saint Mary's Church in Navan with burial after wards in Dunderry Graveyard.
It is a bad week for funerals in Dunderry

Death of Seamus Smith

Seamin Smith of theYellow Walls,Dunderry died during the night on Thursday last.He wasn't well this while back and I'd say that his death was a happy release in ways.It is rumoured that he outlived his doctor's expectations.He died at home surrounded by his extended family who were in constant attendance for many days prior to the time of his death,which can't have been easy for them as he went down hill rapidly towards  the end.
He was predeceased by his brother Peter the Tank Smith of Yellow Walls who died at a young age and his sister Alice Yates of  Birmingham,England.
He is survived by his Brother Owen of the Yellow Walls,Maureen Collins ditto,Nuala Mc Govern,Athboy and Peggy Young,Mulingar.all of whom wereat his funeral and wake.
He is also survived by a huge number of nieces and nephews,grand nieces and nephews and an impressive number of in laws.
I went to visit him a fortnight ago and while he was mentally fully with it,he was clearly living on borrowed time .
His late father was a dedicated and serious Old IRA VOLUNTEER in his day and was one of the brave men whose efforts led to Ireland's freedom.
Ar Dheis De go raibh a hANAM Dilis.
He is being waked at home today Saturday from 4.00 p.m to 9.00 p.m and tomorrow from 2.00 p.m.to 6.45 p.m when his remains will be brought to Dunderry Church to arrive at 7.00 p.m.
His funeral Mass is on Monday at 11.00 a.m.with cremation afterward at Mount Jerome Cemetery .

Seamin was a great neighbour and his word was his bond.If he said he would give you a hand at 8.30 a.m.he would land at 8.15 no problem.
When he and me were able to take a decent drink we shared a few from time to time.He was good company and always stood his round.
He emigrated to England as a young man and married there and had a family there.Seemingly that marriage broke up and he returned home for good decades ago .One of his daughters of that marriage was at his funeral.
The Church was packed to overflowing at the arrival of his remains on Sunday evening and was full to capacity at his Funeral Mass on the Monday.
Amongst the Offerings were his walking stick,a copy of the Farmer' Journal and a Dinky tractor to show his affinity to the soil and a Jersey from the now defunct Dunderry Tug of War Team of which he was a dedicated supporter in his younger days.
A 52 seater bus brought the mourners to Mount Jerome for the cremation after the Funeral Mass and refreshments were provided in Geraghty's Bar and Lounge after wards.
The Smiths know well how to look after their own,that's for sure.
The man will be missed.