Cooney praises founding fathers

GAA PRESIDENT Christy Cooney yesterday spoke of the “deep appreciation for the early work, graft and passion of the founding members of the association” at one of the final commemoration events of the 125 anniversary celebrations.

This began with a new headstone being unveiled at Deansgrange cemetery at the final resting place of Thomas St George McCarthy. Then a similar headstone was unveiled for John Wyse Power at Glasnevin cemetery, where a fresh wreath was also placed at the grave of Michael Cusack.

The first ceremony was attended by representatives of An Garda Síochána and the PSNI as an acknowledgement of McCarthy’s membership of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC).

And these events now mean that the resting places of all seven founding fathers of the association are marked, completing a project established as part of the 125 celebrations.

“It is fitting that we should pay homage to those men who led the way 125 years ago, and these events were arranged as a token of our deep appreciation for the early work, graft and passion of the founding members of the association all of those years ago,” said Cooney.

“Without their invaluable input we would not have the wonderful, voluntary, vibrant association that we are so proud of today and that illuminates so many lives across the island and around the globe.

“I would also like to acknowledge and pay special tribute to the members of the PSNI who travelled to Dublin to join us for these events. Their presence was welcome and offers up another indication of the changed times that we live in.

“I thank them for the work that they do in promoting our games within their ranks.”

Yesterday’s events follow the rededication of the grave of John McKay and the unveiling of a new headstone at St Mary’s Cemetery in London two weeks ago.

McCarthy, born in Bansha, Tipperary, attended the first meeting in 1884 while he was stationed in Templemore as a member of the RIC.

When Rule 21 of the GAA code was removed earlier this decade, a trophy named in honour of him was put up for inter Garda/PSNI competition.

For 66 years the grave of this Tipperary man has remained unmarked.

Power was born at Knockhouse near Waterford City in 1859. He was a journalist working with the Leinster Leader at the time of the 1884 Thurles meeting.

He lived in Dublin for many years where he was chairman of the Dublin County Board. A Fenian and a great lover of Irish, he died in 1926.

Tyrone goalkeeper John Devine has been ruled out for the start of the new season after undergoing shoulder surgery in Belfast yesterday.

Devine dislocated his left shoulder prior to Tyrone’s All-Ireland quarter-final with Kildare.