Sheamus was one of a kind
A PALPABLE air of sadness pervaded the sporting family of Piercestown and beyond on Tuesday morning last as crowds gathered to say a final farewell to Sheamus Howlin.
The passing of the St. Martin’s clubman who had served his beloved club with such distinction and honour over so many years brought an outpouring of support to St. Martin’s church in Piercestown both for the removal on Monday evening and the burial on Tuesday last.
Sheamus had been synonymous with the club throughout his life, he had served the club in so many capacities from player, mentor, and officer, and was a member of the club’s winning Intermediate hurling team which brought them back to Senior status, a position they have held with such distinction during the intervening years.
Sheamus also represented with distinction at county level where he served as County Chairman before moving on to Leinster Council where he represented Wexford. When a member of Leinster Council he also had the distinction on becoming the first St. Martin’s clubman to be elected as provincial chairman.
Being heavily involved in the Association at provincial level it was no surprise to see him go on to hold down positions on many high powered Croke Park committees, while he also stood for Presidency where he came in second a high-profile race.
The word legend is at time overused but Sheamus was a legend not alone in his own club, but also his province and at Croke Park level. So his passing will leave a huge void not just for the Association but also his family.
Sheamus’ impact on the Association along with his contribution to all levels of the G.A.A. was proudly outlined by his son Donal. Despite the sadness of the occasion it was compulsive listening of his father’s contribution not just to the G.A.A. but also his family and business commitments.
We will probably never see the likes of Sheamus again. I started working in journalism at the young age of 17 years, became acquainted with Sheamus through my work and also playing days, despite been in opposite camps. It was an honour to have been a friend of Sheamus over so many years, for we dissected the G.A.A. along with our many friends during gatherings in his home in Piercestown in the company of his parents, Jim and Babs, while his sister Eileen was an avid St. Fintan’s supporter to add to the many controversial debates that took place.
During his term as County Chairman and also in later positions, Sheamus always had a way of making you feel at ease. He would never point out anything that I did wrong in my reports, and no doubt he could have found many, but he had that way of making you feel at ease.
It was always a relaxed affair between us. We just bounced questions off each other. We travelled together over so many years and no matter where ones destiny was there was never a person that Sheamus did not know. Everyone knew him, and he knew everyone.
The odd time he would have a great chat with some fella, and after I’d be asking him who was that, and he’d say he hadn’t a clue. But he had great time for everyone. He never let on he didn’t know you.
He was an influential voice not alone in Wexford G.A.A. and also at provincial and national level. But one line I took out of Donal’s homily on the contribution of his father to St. Martin’s really shone out.
It was a time when St. Martin’s were seeking to secure a grounds of their own. They had their sights set on a parcel of land in the heart of Piercestown. Sheamus took on the task of meeting then Taoiseach, Charles J. Haughey, convinced him to sell on the land from the Agricultural Institute. Within the small period of a few months a bill was passed through the Dail allowing the sale of the land to St. Martin’s.
His influential voice even impacted on Charles J. Haughey, then Taoiseach.
To me that just about summed up Sheamus’ ability to impact on people. His influential voice even carried through the Taoiseach’s office to the benefit of his beloeved St. Martin’s, who have transformed the site into one of the finest community centres with excellent playing facilities for the youth of the parish.
Sheamus was so natural. Whether sitting up on a bar stool having a pint with him, or having a cup of tea and sandwich, he always made one feel at ease.
His like will not be seen again.
My deepest sympathy to his wife, Vera, sons Gavin, Donal and Derek, and his sister, Eileen.