Micheal O Broin gave adopted town so much

IT’S not too many people who leave such a mark on the lives of so many.

But when a hurl is lifted by a player of a certain age in Drogheda and a sliothar curls majestically over the bar, then perhaps the guiding hand to perfecting that craft came from a man from Castletobin near Callan in Kilkenny - the one and only Micheal O Broin.

His death last weekend, saddened many and sparked great memories in others. Here was a true Irishman in every sense of the word. The culture, the sports, the language, his love of this land was etched in everything he did, everything he stood for.

Last year, we reprinted a piece from the Drogheda Comhaltas about their fond member to celebrate Bliain na mBall 2019, the year of Comhaltas Membership, and the 50th Anniversary of Drogheda Comhaltas.

Michael’s script read ‘ On 21st February 1929 in Castletobin Co Kilkenny, Micheal O’ Broin was born. Married to Maura who was a primary school teacher in St. Mary’s Congress Avenue they both shared a love of all things Irish, gardening and a strong faith. Although neither of them drove, they still managed to travel the length and breath of Ireland attending GAA matches and indeed just for fun. I’m sure Michael sang plenty a verse of “The Rose of Mooncoin” along the way.

‘ They had five children, Micheal jnr., Brian(RIP), Mary, Noreen and Siobhán. They have seven grandchildren, Sinead, Tara,

Ciara, Niamh, Aisling, Orla and Eimear.

‘A record All Ireland hurling attendance, writing two books, one about hurling in Louth and one about his life from Noreside to Boyneside is a testament to his love of sport with a particular grá for GAA and travelling countrywide to matches (with the love of his life by his side) gardening, Irish music, card playing , his faith ,his camera, going to the circus .

‘Micheal is also a member of Drogheda Comhaltas, and over the years has never missed a Committee meeting, a Tuesday night session, a Céilí or any other event that has happened. He was with us on our Bid to host Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann and very proud when that dream came to fruition last year.

‘He took on the role of Treoirí na Gaeilge many moons ago to promote the Irish language within the Comhaltas Branch and further afield and continues to promote the language on a daily basis. He hasn’t lost his enthusiasm for any of those things but unfortunately his ability to continue an active role in his passions has faded.

This year he celebrated his 90th birthday. How lucky we were to get the opportunity to celebrate this very special day with him.’

It was probably in the very late 1950s that Micheal arrived by the Boyneside from the Noreside.

He worked in many places prior to that, from Kildare to Roscommon, Bawnboy to Oldcastle.

He held a record for the most All Ireland’s attended, his first, a hurling classic in 1945, Kilkenny v Tipp.

In his book, released in 2001, he outlined many of the classics, including the Waterford and Kilkenny ties of the late 50s and 1963, while the win over Offaly in 2000 was also special.

On the football side, he saw Louth win in 1957 and had fond recollection of the Galway and Down teams of the 1960s.

For years he worked with the likes of Gerry Giblin, Mick Gormally and Ollie Kelly, encouraging young Wolfe Tones hurlers and in 1991, introduced indoor winter hurling at St Paul’s. It was the first school to bring in the game at that time.

“The kids have really taken to it and it is a great winter game when the pitches are not in good condition”, he told the DI at the time. St. Olivers Community College also started up a similar project.

He was a long time member of the Pioneers Total Abstinence Society, accepting the coveted Gradam award on a number of occasions for the local group.

I could go on for the next few pages about Michael and the Monday mornings when his hand written match reports would arrive at the front office for inclusion in that week’s DI.

He was passionate about everything he did and that was infectious.

Goodbye to a true Gael.