Seanie Coleman
We lost one of our finest clubmen last Saturday with the death
of Seanie Coleman. At 91 years-of-age, the former footballer,
committeeman, selector and lifelong supporter was just two
years younger than the club itself. He was born in 1930 soon
after a group of men, his uncles Paddy Coleman and Willie
Lawless among them, brought the club into existence at a
meeting in Conradh na Gaelige.
Serving the club first of all as a footballer, Seanie – originally
from Mulholland Avenue, but living for almost 60 years in
McDermott’s Terrace – graduated from underage to play senior
among some of the best players the club has produced.
Disappointed to miss out in the 1951 senior final, the team led
by Jack Regan bounced back the following year to take the title,
beating Dowdallshill in the final played at the old Athletic
Grounds. Seanie was at right wing, one of the youngest on the
team, and among his other colleagues were Louth All-Ireland
footballers, Hubert Reynolds and Frank Reid.
When his playing days were over, Seanie took charge of
underage teams, and in 1962 he derived huge satisfaction from
guiding the under-18s to a championship win, the Jimmy
Kelleher-captained side getting the better of O’Rahilly’s in the
final at The Grove. In the years since then he had a number of
stints on the committee, and in the company of his brother,
committee
man, selector and lifelong supporter was just twoal role
in the establishment of the club lotto. At all times he remained
a staunch supporter of our teams, rarely missing a game when
nearly always in the company of his longtime pal, Bertie
Dullaghan, who along with Niall O’Neill, survives from the 1952
team.
Possessed with a wonderful singing voice, Seanie formed the
perfect partnership with his wife, Laura, who predeceased him
by three years. Together they regaled us with wonderful
selection of songs, the first to be called upon whenever there
was a get-together or something to celebrate. A highlight of
their career was their win in a RTE Television contest.
Our club flag flew at half-mast over the weekend, and a
minute’s silence was observed before Saturday night’s game at
Pairc na nGael. Club members were out in strength for the
removal of remains to the Church of the Redeemer and at the
burial in St Patrick’s Cemetery. The coffin was draped in the
club’s colours.
Sympathy is extended to Seanie’s son, Gerard, and his brothers
and sisters.