 It was with
sadness that all at the Club learnt of the death, on 8 October 2017, of our
former player Seamus McKenna. Seamus played for the Club during the 1950s and
1960s. He was part of a ‘Golden Generation’ of Ballymacnab footballers who made
their mark after the great 1946 side, which his brother Patrick was a member of.
Seamus played at midfield for most of his playing days forming a formidable
partnership at midfield with John Fegan (RIP). Occasionally Seamus also played
on the half forward line. He was renowned for his great athleticism in an era
when strength and stamina was a must. Seamus played in a number of Mid Division
Championship and Trodden Cup Finals for the Club but with little success. As
one of his former team mates remarked “We could always reach the final.” He did
however have some success in that he was a member of a Ballymacnab side who won
a Senior 7-a-side Tournament in Scotstown in 1955, a remarkable achievement in
that the Club was only playing in Junior competitions at that time. Around 1962
the fortunes of the Round Towers dipped due to retirements and emigration so
much so that there was no team for the next 5 years. On its reformation in 1967
the team pushed for promotions from Division IV and Seamus came out of
retirement to help secure that promotion. After his playing days Seamus
continued to support the Club and also was heavily involved with St.Brenda’s
Camogie Club of which his 3 daughters were all prominent players. Three of his
grandsons, Stephen and Simon King and Ethan McBirney are current players. Many
of Seamus’ former team mates and the current and past committee members formed
a ‘Guard of Honour’ at his funeral. During the offertory at his funeral Mass his grandson and current Senior player Stephen King
carried the Ballymacnab No.8 jersey in Seamus’ memory. We offer our deepest
sympathy to his wife Renee, son Harry, daughters Ann, Petrina and Roisin and
entire family circle. Go
raibh suaimhneas sioraí ar a anam dílis.  |
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