Peter gave a lifetime to GAA
HE was one of the central and most influential figures in Louth GAA over more than seven decades as a trainer, manager, administrator and referee after a short enough but successful playing career. He also made a major impact in his own local community in helping and improving the lot of neighbours and friends and as a union activist in helping secure a shortened five day week for local shop workers, while also playing a long and active role in politics that he only bowed out of earlier this year.
This was the remarkable Peter Hoey who died peacefully aged 94 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on July 21 last, but he was first and foremost a very hard working and caring father, grandfather and great grandfather who provided exceedingly well for his family continuing to work until he was 80.
He was born in the year the Free State was established in 1922 and was reared and lived all his very active and mostly healthy life at Kilcroney, Stonetrough, Knockbridge.
His son, Anthony and grandson, Aaron extended the proud family legacy that he left in Gaelic games with both playing with distinction for Louth.
His standing and the esteem in which he and his family are held was borne out in the extremely large and widely representative attendance at his obsequies and constant steam of sympathisers to his home beforehand from far and wide, all with individual stories to tell of Peter.
He earned the sobriquet of “Mr Camogie” in his native county, with the sport his first love among GAA games, with an unparalleled list of achievement that it’s difficult to see ever being repeated. He led the Kilkerley club to 24 senior championships and to the Leinster Junior title in 1977.
It also stretched outside the county, steering Inniskeen to senior championship success in Monaghan.
At county level he guided Louth to three junior National League successes. He was at the helm when the Wee County fell at the penultimate hurdle in the junior championship semi-final in 1981, only the year after to bounce back to win the title, narrowly beating Cork 1-7 to 1-6 in the final. That feat was honoured with a Civic Reception laid on for the winners by the Urban District Council.
He made his entry into administration at the unusually young age of 18 and attended his last county board meeting in March. He finished playing at the age of 27 by which time he had accumulated three county junior championship medals, enjoying success with first Saint Bride’s in 1940 when he attended his first county board meeting, Kilkerley and Young Irelands.
He served as chairman of the Louth Camogie Board for over 30 years, and held the same position for two years with the Leinster Camogie Council and was a co-chairman of the Louth Poc Fada Committee and vice chairman of the Louth Supporters club for nearly 20 years.
Over his long unbroken link on the Louth County Board from 1940, he served as representative for Kilkerley and Naomh Malachi and filled the role of assistant treasurer. He played an important role when the GAA Congress was staged in the Marist College, and for his unstinting service was elected an honorary president of the county board.
He was one of the co-founders of the reformed Naomh Malachi, the 50th anniversary celebration of which was staged recently. Peter was also chairman of Kilkerley Emmets.
His influence didn’t stop there in the GAA. He was a respected referee who officiated at club and inter-county level. He took charge of club games in his native Louth and neighbouring counties of Monaghan and Armagh, and officiated at a National League game between Monaghan and Donegal in Ballybay.
He also was handed the dubious honour of handling an infamous match in Monaghan that was abandoned three times which he managed to finish despite dire warnings to the contrary.
He was one of two sons of Pat and Brigid Hoey. His brother Kevin was a renowned mechanic, but Peter entered the drapery trade, starting work in the 1940s with Connell & Co, in Church Street in Dundalk. He worked in the shop for 20 years. He met his future and beloved wife Peggy McGrane from Mullatee, Carlingford, who worked as an assistant in the shop.
He moved to Earl Street to take up employment with Sean Burke, which is incorporated into Tony McDonnell’s Mans Shop. He remained there until the mid 80s, and for a time was a part-time assurance agent with Royal Liver when he retired.
He then took on a full-time role with the company and carried on working until he was 80. He was presented with a badge for his service to the company. It was the only time he travelled out of Ireland.
He had health setbacks over the course of his lengthy life, but in game parlance weathered the knocks and injuries and was still out and about until very recently and drove until last year. He was one of the first in Knockbridge to have a car - a Ford Prefect. He was the courier for local ladies entering and returning home from hospital, and was the means of neighbours getting daily to work.
He ensured Christmas was special for his family with chocolates and an assortment of minerals when they were a real treat for most.
Politics was another all-consuming activity and interest for Peter. He held the post of secretary of his local Fine Gael branch, which incorporated Knockbridge, Stonetown and Louth for nearly 50 years. He only retired at the agm this year.
He was active also in union affairs, being the Dundalk representative of the shop assistants at the annual conference in Killarney. He was also the instigator in local shop workers securing a reduced five day working week.
He was predeceased by wife Peggy in 2007 and brother, Kevin in 1973, along with his parents. He is survived by son, Anthony, Stonetrough, daughters, Maureen Corcoran, Newtown, Bernie Kirk, Channonrock, his nine grandchildren, Gavin and Aaron Hoey, Stephen and Shane Kirk, Gareth and Barry Corcoran, Michelle Mackin and Karen and Niamh Kirk, ten great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, Tommy Kirk and Val Corcoran, daughter-in-law, Pauline, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
After reposing at his home from Friday afternoon, the removal of the remains took place on Sunday morning to St. Mary’s Church, Knockbridge. Guards of Honour were provided by GAA and Camogie clubs in Louth, and the political party. Representatives from the Leinster Council of the GAA and from Croke Park were present along with local, national and European politicians.
Father Paddy Rushe celebrated Mass assisted by family friend and mentor Father Paddy Coyle.
Gifts symbolizing Peter’s life were brought to the altar by grandsons, Aaron and Gareth and Barry, and included an award from the Louth GAA Supporters for the deceased’s services to the club, a hurley and sliotar and a family photo album from Peter’s 90th birthday.
The Readings were given by son-in-law, Tommy Kirk and grandson, Stephen Kirk, while the Prayers of the Faithful were led by grandchildren, Shane, Karen and Niamh Kirk, along with Michelle Mackin.
The Offertory gifts were presented by great-granddaughters, Keelin Mackin and Hannah Kirk.
Son Anthony provided a reflection on Peter’s life, choosing the “game” as an analogy of his father’s time on this earth.
The music was provided by singer Peter Kirk and Fidelma Bellew on the organ.
The pall bearers were son, Anthony, sons-inlaw, Tommy and Val, nephew, Thomas McGrane and grandsons, Gareth, Barry, Stephen, Shane, Aaron, Gavin, Paul Mackin and Ciaran McHugh.
Burial took place in the adjoining cemetery.