A great sense of shock greeted the news of the sudden death of Kieran Brennan on Saturday morning June 17th. Kieran has been an integral part of Cloone Gaa for a large part of his life.
Having honed the skills of Gaelic football in the School yard of Drumnamore National School it wasn’t long till Kieran was an integral part of the Cloone GAA underage teams. At that time, inter club competition started with under fourteen competitions and Kieran with his noted Gaelic football skills soon progressed through the various age groups up to adult football.
Kieran was introduced to adult football at a young age and by 1971 he a first choice player on the Cloone no one adult team. While 1971 wasn’t a year to write home about, things were on the up in 72. Kieran Played throughout the club league and retained his place for the infamous 1972 Championship. Kieran had the unique distinction of Playing in the intermediate championship semi-final, travelling to America, returning and playing in the Co final the following Sunday.
When Cloone defeated Eslin in the semi- final of the intermediate championship on a beautiful July afternoon in Ballinamore, the Clubs thoughts turned towards the Co Intermediate Final with opponents Aughavas waiting in the wings. Kieran had other business to attend to, and on the following Monday morning he headed for America. No sooner had Kieran arrived in New York till a notification arrived on the desk of the Cloone Club secretary informing the Club of the intermediate Championship final Cloone V Aughavas in Ballinamore the following Sunday. Cloone felt they couldn’t play this fixture without the services of Kieran, and indeed his brother Damian, who was resident in New York for a few weeks previous. With the assistance of some of the Dublin based players two tickets were winging their way across the Atlantic which were to be used to fly Kieran and Damian back to Cloone for the Leitrim Intermediate Championship final ,and while Kieran had barely time to get acclimatised to the new environments of New York, he was now on his way back to play in the Intermediate Championship Final of 1972. News of their eminent arrival was a closely guarded secret, and when they both entered the pitch to take their places at right and left half forward respectfully, just as the referee Tommy Moran was about to throw in the ball, the cheer that greeted them will never be forgotten.
Kieran continued to play a vital role in the fortunes of Cloone GAA, contributing in a big way to the 1974 Intermediate Championship final, the senior league Div. 2 final in 75 and further league success in 1978.
It was to get better and Kieran biggest day came when Cloone captured the 1980 Leitrim Senior football Championship .Kieran Brennan was one of the team’s most influential players and turned in a blinder on the day.
Kieran’s talent wasn’t confined to playing and soon his talents were recognised and he was invited to be part of the Leitrim Senior football Backroom team , as a selector under his former Club playing colleague Declan McCabe Kieran continued to assist the Cloone Club playing with the clubs Over thirties and junior teams or whatever team needed a an additional player. Kieran was part of a small group of Cloone Players who have won Leitrim Junior, Intermediate, and senior championship medals. He was a multi-talented all-round sportsman playing hurling also with the successful Hurling Club amalgamation St Finbars.
Kieran was also a very keen and competitive golfer and while a member of Ballinamore golf club he contributed handsomely to the development of the club both as a player and as a club official.Kieran’ talents extended to many other sports and was a very competitive contestant in Pool and Darts. He was also involved in Club administration serving as Club secretary, and also served as part of the Cloone clubs management teams in the eighties.
Kieran also contributed to Community life and was involved in many community organisations in the Parish and through his company business, he provided useful employment in the Community.
Cloone GAA extends its sincere sympathy to his wife Mena, Daughters Orla, and Kiera, sons Paul and Michael and the extended Brennan family.
Ar dheis Dea go Raibh a anam dilis
