Passing of Castlebar Celtic legend, Josie Feeney

THE death of Josie Feeney, McHale Road, Castlebar, has evoked an immense sense of loss in the community.

In his early 80s, he is widely considered the greater player ever to don the green and white hooped jersey of Castlebar Celtic FC.

A central defender of immense intelligence and skill, he won two caps for the Republic of Ireland junior international team and made countless appearances at interprovincial level.

He was a member of the all-conquering Celtic side of the late 1950s and early 1960s, a squad he captained to three Connaught Cup triumphs and five consecutive Mayo League titles from 1957 to 1962.

He won his last Connaught Cup medal in 1964 as his distinguished career was reaching an end. It was the medal of which he was most proud. He had four Connaught Cup winning medals in total.

Josie was also very proud of the fact he played in the first ever game staged at Celtic Park on May 4, 1958, between Celtic A and Celtic B and he played in the first competitive match at the venue a week later when Celtic defeated Westport United 1-0 in the area final of the Connaught Cup.

Josie was an inspirational figure in the Celtic side that reached the semi-final of the FAI Junior Cup during the 1959/60 season, losing 2-1 to eventual champions Pearse Rangers of Dublin at the Sports Park, Westport, a game that holds a special place in Castlebar football folklore.

The previous season, interestingly, he had turned out for the Westport United side that was defeated by St. Saviour's (Dublin) in the quarterfinal of the competition. Alongside him was another Celtic great, Peter Duke.

Josie had a deep love for his county and was a member Mayo's first ever representative side which lost 2-0 to Sligo in May 8, 1951, a match in which his cousin, Patsy, also played.

He also held the distinction of playing in Mayo's first Oscar Traynor Cup fixture during the 1963/64 season in which Mayo defeated Sligo 2-1 with goals by Austin Foley and Frank Roach.

Such was his high esteem within the game, he received the Mayo Football League's Hall of Fame Award in 1994.

He retained a huge interest in sport throughout his life and the first results he looked out for every weekend were those involving Castlebar Celtic.

He was the club's vice-president and served for a number of years as chairman of the club's underage structure.

In a tribute to him, another Castlebar Celtic Connaught Cup-winning captain, Fergus McEllin, said: "On the field of play Josie had no equal. He read the play so well, was so graceful with the ball at his feet, never lost a header no matter how tall his opponent was and when he tackled you stayed tackled.

"Josie won many honours in his career but I would think his proudest moments were when he captained his beloved Castlebar Celtic to three Connaught Cup titles in the sixtes (I would say he would be the only player in history to achieve that feat) and of course the great honour of representing the Republic of Ireland in the 1950s when it would be very difficult for a player in the west of Ireland to get recognised.

"I personally did not see Josie playing until he was in his 30s and my greatest memory of him was in an FAI Cup game in Clonmel in 1970 when he gave a performance that had all the Clonmel supporters asking who was that brilliant centre back we had playing for us.

"Josie as a friend had no equal either as he was loved, admired and respected by all who knew him. Josie was lovely company to be with, sometimes he did not say much but he would give a look or a nod and that would let you know his thoughts on whatever was being discussed.

"Josie Feeney will be missed by all at Castlebar Celtic and indeed by all his family and friends.  But let us be consoled that God could not invite a more beautiful person into Heaven."

During his working career, he gave long and loyal service to CIE or Iarnrod Éireann, as it is known today, based at Castlebar and Manulla Junction Railway Stations.

He was a dedicated family man and his neighbours in McHale Road held him in very high esteem. He enjoyed gardening in his spare time and his vegetable plot was always immaculate. The deceased was also a keen angler.

He is survived by his wife Violet, son Joe, daughter Theresa, brothers Vincent, Martin and Michael, sisters Anne and Betty, granddaughter Aoibhinn, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, neighbours, relatives and friends, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.

His remains will be reposing at Coady's Funeral Home, Castlebar, tomorrow (Monday) evening from 5.30 p.m. with removal at 7.30 p.m. to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar.

Requiem Mass takes place on Tuesday at 11 a.m. with burial afterwards in the New Cemetery.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.