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Sports Personalities Won Honour And Glory For Glenn


MANY sports personalities have brought honour and glory to the Glenn/Barr area, not only by their prowess, but also dedication and commitment to the community over many decades.

Apart from the heroic exploits of the historic 60’s, tribute is also due to superb athletes like Kevin O’Hare, Mickey Jennings and Frank Monaghan, who brought a host of Ulster and All-Ireland medals to the parish of Donaghmore.

Indeed, Kevin O’Hare, not only represented Ulster in the All-Ireland Championships, setting records in various events. But the burly flooring contractor was also goalkeeper with the Down squad which, along with Glenn club-mate, Dan Kennedy, won the All-Ireland Junior Championship in 1946, - the first national title for the Mourne county.

Meanwhile, Mickey Jennings, while a student at the Abbey Secondary School in Newry, had the honour of representing the Ulster colleges with distinction in athletics. And he was selected for the Irish squad, which competed in the World Student Games at the White City in London, and in Rome the following year.

The Insurance broker was also a regular member of the Glenn John Martin GFC squad for some years. In fact, he and Kevin O’Hare were on the same side, which won the Feis Sevens in 1948 and `49. Others in the squad were Dan Kennedy, Harry Murtagh, John McDonald, Seamus Gorman and Willie Goss from Mayobridge.

A “gentle giant” was how the late Frank Monaghan, who died in 2000, has been described. He attributed a huge frame and herculean strength to spending most of his youth at farm work. One exploit was to tie two half-hundred weights together and to raise them, at arm’s length, above his head.

Employed as a bread-server in the Newry area, he joined the Glenn A.C., and along with Kevin O’Hare and Mickey Jennings, dominated field events, such as discus, weight-throwing, javelin and high-jump, at sports competitions throughout Ireland and Britain in the late 40’s and early 50’s.

Never seeking fame or glory, when “big Frank” ceased to compete he devoted the rest of his life to fostering an interest in sport among young people. Each of his five sons became All-Ireland champions at various age levels,

Incidentally, some unusual family associations have been recorded at the Glenn John Martin’s club. For example, present coach, Seamus Kennedy and his son, Kevin played on the same side. And Gerry McNally has been club chairman, a post now held by his son, Conor, Principal of Loughbrickland primary school, after being secretary for 17 years, as well as PRO and Secretary of Down Youth Board.

Aidan Conlon, captain of the Glenn side, which won the club’s first County Senior Championship title in 1959, went on to serve as chairman for 17 years, while his brother, Fr Fergus, played for the black and amber as well as the red and black. Aidan’s late father also played for Glenn and Down, as well as Armagh.

Glenn Youth Club, Scor competitions, the parish committee, concerts and pantomimes, have benefited from the drive of Francie Reavey. He was in the Quiz team, along with Aidan Conlon and Nuala Murphy, which reached the All-Ireland Finals at Galway in 1976.

A joiner by trade, Francie was foreman at the renovations to Barr School, of which he had been a pupil; and also the Derrybeg estate in Newry, the first major housing project in the city. Now he operates a flourishing candle-making industry, while his daughter, Mrs Deirdre Gallagher, supplies priests’ vestments.

At the club’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1981, chairman Gerry McNally launched a scathing attack on those former players, who failed to “give anything back,” when their footballing days were over.

He stated: “It is a pity that some of our players, when they hang up their boots, hang up their association with the club as well. They could still be of benefit to the club in so many ways. To wear the Glenn jersey with distinction is to carry on a proud tradition, handed down from one generation to the next.

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© Fabian Boyle 2001-2008