Cornafean Notes 16 May 2005

The late Phil Sheridan

There was widespread sadness in the locality last weekend on the death of Phil Sheridan, Railway Road, Killeshandra and formerly of Drumcullion who died on Friday May 13th at Cavan General Hospital after a short illness. Aged 91, Phil was one of the oldest and most esteemed members of the community in the Cornafean and Killeshandra areas. He will be remembered by one and all as a kind decent and sociable man who always had time for friendly conversation. 

In his youth, Phil was a talented footballer in the red jersey of Cornafean and he won four Senior County Championship medals as a member of the famed Cornafean side that dominated Cavan football in the club’s ‘Golden Age’ of the1930’s. Phil won his first county medal in 1936 at centre-half forward on the Cornafean team that beat Cavan Slashers in that year’s final. He was again the forward line, this time at left-half forward fifteen months later when Cornafean beat Bailieboro in the 1937 final, played in January 1938. Due to Cavan’s progress to the All Ireland Final the previous summer, the 1937 County Championship was never played and as a result the League winners that year were awarded the title of county champions. Phil was again to the fore in the left-half forward position when Cornafean defeated Killinkere in the classic 1939 final and was full-forward when the Reds retained their crown the following year in a controversial final against the same opposition. Phil was to maintain a passionate interest in football for the remainder of his long life and to the end he remained a dedicated and stout-hearted supporter of Cornafean teams at all levels. 

Having worked for Killeshandra Co-op for his entire working life, Phil was sadly predeceased by his wife Madge some fourteen years ago and some time after her death, he moved from his native Drumcullion to live in the town of Killeshandra. This brought him near to all amenities and services within the town and allowed him to live a full and active retirement. He was blessed with happiness and good health throughout his latter years and he played a full and wholehearted role in all events in the locality until shortly before his death. 

Phil will be sadly missed by his daughters Marian, Eileen and Philomena, his sons in law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other relatives to whom we extend deepest sympathy. There was a large gathering of mourners at the removal of his remains from his residence to St Brigid’s Church, Killeshandra on last Sunday morning and at his Funeral Mass later that morning. Members of the Cornafean and Killeshandra GAA clubs formed a Guard of Honour as his coffin, adorned by the red jersey of Cornafean, was carried from the Church to Phil’s final resting place in the adjoining cemetery.

Thousandaire Event

Lacken Camogie Clun are hosting “Who wants to be a Thousandaire” in the Hotel Kilmore on Thursday 16th June next. Tickets are available from committee members and club players. For further details, contact 049 4337637.

School Enrolment

Parents wishing to enroll their children as pupils of Coronea and Corlis Nationsl Schools for the 2005/06 year are asked to call to the respective schools as soon as possible to collect enrolment forms.

Happy Hour Playgroup

The Happy Hour Playgroup in Ballinagh are holding their AGM and enrolment night on Tuesday 31st May at 7.30pm. Enrolment forms for September 2005 can now be collected from the playgroup(Monday-Friday, 9.30 to 12.30 daily), and returned on the enrolment night. All parents who wish to enroll their children for 2005/06 must attend this meeting. As demand for places is high, priority will be given to those parents who attend the AGM.

Special Olympics

A meeting will be held in McSeains kitchen, Cornafean on next Tuesday night 24th May with a view to organising a branch of the Special Olympics organization in the locality. The meeting is being hosted by Cornafean Community Development Association and invitations have been extended to all community and social groups in the locality who are each encouraged to have delegates in attendance. All interested individuals are also heartily welcome to attend. The meeting starts at 9.30pm.

Mothers & Toddlers Group.

In recent weeks there has been some interest expressed in the idea of having a Mothers & Toddlers Group established in the local area, to serve as a social outlet for young children and their mothers. A meeting will be held in the new Community Centre on Thursday night of next week, 26th May at 9.00pm in order to form such a group. Anyone who is interested in taking part in this initiative but who is unable to attend this meeting can register their interest by phoning Dessie Harrington at 087 6891752 in advance of the meeting.

Featured in GAA Paper

Local readers of the new weekly Ulster GAA newspaper “The Game” had a pleasant surprise over the weekend when the publication included a full-page feature on Cornafean GAA club, including a short history of the club and an interview with club historian and County Board Chairman George Cartwright. This is the second time in as many months for “The Game” to report on Cornafean’s varied GAA activities as some weeks ago the newspaper also devoted extensive coverage to the Ulster Scor Finals in Silverbridge where the local club took home two of the eight Ulster titles on the night. 

END

Cornafean Notes 10 May 2005

Annual Drag Hunt

The 60th Annual Cornafean Drag Hunt was held on last Sunday next, and proved to be a successful and enjoyable event, attracting a large number of participants from near and far. The Drag Hunt was organised by the Shancor Hunt Club, ably led by Peadar McSeain who has had a continuous involvement with this event since it was first inaugurated by Peadar’s late father Pol McSeain in 1946. The winners of Sunday’s hunt were as follows: TH Class 1st & 2nd Mervyn Lindsay, Kilmore, 3rd Thomas Cochrane Maudabawn, Cootehill, 4th Mervyn Lindsay, Kilmore. Consolation 1st Mary Smith, Middle Chapel, Cootehill, 2nd Darina Fitzpatrick, Ballyhaise 3rd Martin Smith Middle Chapel, Cootehill 4th Kieran Smith Middle Chapel, Cootehill. Harriers Class 1st Colm Murphy 2nd Jim Comiskey Cormore 3rd Robbie West, 4th Philip Fitzpatrick, Shancor HC Cornafean.

Drumcrow School Reunion

The re-union of the past pupils of Drumcrow School will take place in MacSeain’s, Cornafean, on this Saturday, May 14th. The event will commence with Mass in the venue at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a social function which promises to rekindle many old friendships and evoke countless happy memories. Anyone who has not yet replied to their invitation to the event are asked to please call Dominic King on 087-2936757 or Bernie Gormley on (049) 4335025. Any past pupil of Drumcrow School who has not received an invitation is asked to please call (049) 4335025 or 087-2936757 and all are very welcome to attend this special occasion.

Active Age Club

The Drumcor Active Retirement Association are going on a Day Trip to Athlone on 18th May. The trip takes in a cruise on Lough Ree and a visit to Derryglad Folk Museum. There are a number of seats available. For details contact Edith at 43 67919 Michael at 43 67849 or Wendy at 43 37168

Football Defeat

The Cornafean senior footballers travelled to Tullyvin to play Kill last Saturday evening in the Division 3 league. Playing against the wind in the first half, the locals performed well and trailed only narrowly at the interval. However, Kill were much too strong for the Reds in the second half and helped by a strong performance by county star Pierce McKenna they were full value for their 1-11 to 0-8 victory.

Sympathy

Sympathy is extended to Fr Eugene Clarke, Drumcor on the death of his brother Philip, Tullynaskeagh, Bailieboro whose funeral took place in St Patrick’s Church Tierworker last week.