Mayo mourns passing of illustrious sportsman Owen Brennan

The death has taken place of Owen Martin Brennan, Drimineen, Kiltimagh Road, Claremorris, and formerly of Station Road, Balla.

He died peacefully at his home yesterday surrounding by his family.

Owen is sadly missed by his wife Bernadette (née Carney, formerly of Beltra, Co. Sligo), daughters Aishling Hallinan (Clogher, Claremorris), Samantha Cummins (Cross, Claremorris) and Amanda Heneghan (Annies, Hollymount), sons-in-law Martin, Justin and Brendan, his grandchildren Shauna, Ciara, Ruth, Niamh, Rachel, Rebecca, Owen and Melissa, brother John, sisters Margaret Coyne, Ann Mallee, Pauline Flynn and Sally Cunnane, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.

Owen was predeceased by his parents Tom and Sal and his brother Jim (Dungloe).

Aged 73, Owen had a keen interest in all sport and was a lifelong supporter of all Mayo teams, having played Gaelic football, soccer and handball as a young man and, in more recent years, golf.

Owen was an outstanding goalkeeper and won numerous titles throughout the sixties, seventies and early eighties.

He played soccer with distinction for Castlebar Celtic and Balla and also starred with Mayo in the Oscar Traynor Cup for many seasons.

He was an influential figure in the Balla side that won consecutive Mayo League titles in 1977 and 1978.

It was a major achievement considering the fact the sport had been dominated by Castlebar Celtic, Westport United and other Westport clubs since the foundation of the league in 1954.

One of his proudest moments was being honoured as 'Footballer of the Year' by the Mayo Football League following the 1983/84 season as his playing career neared an end.

He received a merited standing ovation at the presentation ceremony.

Owen was an officer of the Mayo Football League for over a decade and played a key role in organisation's development.

He loved taking part in quizzes. In his free time he enjoyed gardening.

Owen was a carpet fitter by trade and he was one of the chief organisers of the Claremorris Agricultural Show.

An affable and good-natured personality, he was known and respected throughout the county and further afield through his work and involvement in sport.

His remains will repose in Balla Community Centre Funeral Home on Thursday from 4 until 6 p.m. with removal to St. Cronan’s Church, Balla, for Funeral Mass at 6.30 p.m.

Private cremation will take place later.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.