Tribute to Jarlat Folan.

 Such is the evolution of the membership of Dunderry GAA Club and indeed the Parish in general that newer residents and members may never have heard of Jarlat ,who lived in Shambo for a considerable time with his family.

I remember him fairly well and he made a significant contribution to the progress of Gaelic games in Dunderry.My memory is that this contribution was in the promotion of Gaelic Football and that for years both himself and I think Pat Jennings, mentored a bunch of good footballer guys who would be now around the forty mark or thereabouts from the time they were young kids until thay were at minor level.

Included in these players were his sons Keith and Richie and  David Jennings and many more players who advanced to play senior for Dunderry.

Keith, although diminutive enough in stature, was built to the ground and with exceptional ball control was as quick as greased lightening around the goal and could strike as quich as an adder and was probably the most opportunistic of  his peers in the scoring stakes.

Richie was maybe not as good but not far behind.

As the apple never falls far from the tree they must have got it from either of their parents ,more likely Jarlat ,whose knowledge of football was of the highest order.

It is an advantage to be born with inherent football skills but these skills must be nurtered and it was there that his mentoring came into play for the benefit of the GAA Club.

I don't know if he played for Pats before he came to live in Shambo but stronglty suspect he did and that he must have been useful enough.

As far as I  can remember players were produced who reached Division 1 in Minor Football undrer the additional guidance of such as Pete Conaty,Jim Harte,Gerry Doherty,Christy Fay,Bomber Farrell,Dessie Fagan ,Calfer Coogan ,Joe Martin.Billy Bligh  maybe and Me Fein.,but at a later stage.No doubt I  have left out someone and will gladly correct this if contacted.

I  have a distinct memory,in the first years that I  was a mentor at Minor level  , of the present Secretary Paddy Darcy  being disappointed that  he was to labour in the second Division of Minor Football for his last year in the grade .

The point is that Jarlat left an indelible mark hereabouts.

He was a sociable guy and I  drank with him and the sons from time to time ,but not too often as Robinstown was his haunt and I  preferred Dunderry.

He was head man in Shambo stud and had a great knowledge of horses.

I  think that Jack Loughran was a prior owner of Shambo farm before Jarlat came around the place.He too has gone to his eternal rest and like Jarlat was a huge lover of the games of the Gaels,

I' m faily sure that Jack was at at Croker on Bloody Sunday when the Black and Tans murdered players and spectators whilst Dublin played Tipperary.

Shambo has been a happy hunting ground for Gaels in Dunderry ,as in addition to Jarlat and Jack we got Tony Brennan and his sons and grandsons and Kevin Slattery into our fold from there.

I  didn't know either his wife Geraldine nor his daughter Julie but think my daughters knew Julie Anne.

We were sorry when he and his family left the Parish and are sorrier that he has departed this life.

We sympathise with all his immedaite family ,far and near ,and all his relatives and friends on his passing.

Ar dheis De go raibh a hAnam Dilis.