Kevin Foley R.I.P. Remembered

Even though he was in failing health and in hospital for a few weeks, it still came as a terrible shock to all the people of the parish of Cloughbawn on Tuesday morning 10th Aug 2010 to learn of the passing of the gentle giant Kevin Foley of Coolaught, Clonroche. A huge loss was felt by all his family and friends as was evidenced by the large number of persons at his wake in his home at Coolaught on Tuesday evening and all day Wednesday and at the removals on Wednesday evening and the Funeral Mass on Thursday. The local GAA Club formed a huge guard of honour on Wednesday and Thursday.

Fr Hayes and Fr Maguire concelebrated the Mass, celebrating Kevin's life and in his homily Fr Hayes spoke of the love that Kevin had for his wife Nancy and his children and grandchildren and that it was this mutual love and respect that allowed him to freely spread his talents and efforts among the wider community.

Gifts brought up to the altar by grandchildren included a hurley, sliotar, football and a horse depicting some of his interests in life, such as GAA and horse racing. Family members and relations performed the readings and Prayers of the Faithful. The full Cloughbawn Choir, conducted and led by Bernie Murray, provided a special and fitting tribute in music and verse during the ceremony, also Sharon Holohan with 'The Cloud's Veil', Eanna Harrington on Tin Whistle and Tom Furlong sang 'Cuchullain's Son' at the end. At the graveside the Poem 'Tucker Foley' was delivered by his best friend, Tim Flood. This poem had been specially written by Norma Doyle (Tim's daughter) for Kevin's 80th birthday. A large crowd attended Community Centre in Clonroche for refreshments after the burial service.

Kevin was loved dearly by his wife Nancy, his eight children, Kathleen, Pat, Jim, Marie, Breda, Kevin, John and Anne, his 19 grandchildren and by all who knew him from far and near.

Kevin was born in Swansea in Wales on 2nd December 1927 but moved to Clonroche at age of three. After leaving school he worked at Floods farm in Castleboro with the likes of the Harris brothers, Lar Walsh, Bill Simpson, Tom Dunne and many more where his hurling and football skills were nourished and hurling and football was always on the menu. Across the road was the Harrington household with Larry and Pat being major influences on a fledgling young sportsman. He had a wonderful passion for the GAA club in Cloughbawn with whom he played hurling and football in his youth, playing with the greats of Wexford hurling, such as Tim and Martin Flood, Pat and Larry Harrington, the Wickhams, Harris's and the like. He held no fear for the opposition on match days having played on the likes of Tim Flood or Pat Harrington during training at home, both for whom he had the highest respect. He won a Co. Wexford Junior Hurling medal as a goalkeeper in 1946 and 2 Senior Hurling medals in 1949 and '51 as a serious defender. He was known the length and breath of the county by young and old alike, not alone because of his distinct features, being well over 6 feet tall with his head of jet black hair and warrior like appearance but also by his ability to communicate with everyone he met and by his wonderful stories he told so well.

When his playing days were over he took a major role in running the club in Cloughbawn as selector on various teams and especially in looking after the young players - his car was always full of youngsters heading to away matches. His son, John, says he thought he was trying to find out how many kids could fit into a Renault 4L. He was a great judge of a young person's ability and prospects, knowing their seed, breed and generation, not alone of lads from our parish but from other parishes as well. Indeed the underage section of the club had their very own little guard of honour on Thursday, paying respect to their hero who recently had been Chairman of that underage section.

He was involved in the running of the club, being Chairman of Adult club in early nineties and, as stated, recently Chairman of Coiste na nÓg. He acted as selector on many teams and many age groups. His delight at the club winning a Junior 'A' football title in 2004 was evident, he always regretted never having won a junior football championship, being beaten in three finals when he played. He regularly attended monthly meetings, represented the club at district level for many years, sold club lotto and model county tickets, acted as caretaker for years and years, marked the pitches, trimmed the ditches, mended nets, repaired the goalmouths. In fact he ran Cloughbawn GAA Club with a passion. He looked after the club's jerseys with his wife Nancy, providing an excellent laundry service, together they were the catering facility in our club too, all done with the minimum of fuss. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann!

Apart from his GAA activities his other interests included Tops of the Parish with the townsland of Castleboro with whom he achieved much success in the early to late sixties, when Tops was all the rage in the parish and county. His great friend, Tim Flood, was producer of that group and they played on many stages throughout the country, with Kevin playing such characters as Jack Tar, The Three Card Trick Man and lots of other funny parts, a mere look down into the audience from Kevin resulting in roars of laughter and appraisal. In latter years he played the Dame in local pantomimes and was always the star of the shows.

Kevin always called spade a spade and had the courage of his convictions to speak out and call it as he saw it, but rarely caused offence to anyone, such was his unique ability in portraying his unbridled passion for success. Nothing but a 100% effort from everyone was acceptable to Kevin.

Cloughbawn GAA club offer our sincere sympathy to Nancy and family and their grandchildren and relations. He leaves behind many lovely memories of his life with his family and with us in the parish of Cloughbawn, our GAA club will struggle to carry on his ambitions and expectations, he will be sorely missed for many years to come. He was our shining star and will always remain so, his stories will continue to be told and retold as long as GAA people talk about the game. He made lots of people laugh with his wonderful wit and will provide inspiration and motivation for Cloughbawn people for many years to come.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Beidh sé ar an taoblíne go deo. May he rest in Peace!


Below is the Poem 'Tucker Foley' which Tim read out at the graveside.

Tucker Foley
Written by Norma Flood

Goodbye my good friend Kevin
We celebrate your life today
And judging by your jet black hair
You wore it well I'd say

You made your name when on the stage
In Panto, you played the Dame
And as soon as your face hit the light
The spontaneous laughter came

I think the trick was in your face
And the way it used to pucker
I remember well the " Card Game" Sketch
and the infamous, hard man " Tucker"

The Tops were something special
And you really were the star
The "Dead Man" Sketch brought down the house
As did the memorable " Jack Tar"

When playing a hurler from 1910
You should have been on telly
With a raggy togs held up with twine
You were the classic Yella Belly !!!

When the Pioneers went to Co. Meath
We were met with an awful sight
But your " Bloody Regatta" story ensured
That we never forgot that night

Here's to Kevin from Cloughbawn
The Corner Back and Goalie
And we'll travel far and wide to find
Another character like Foley !