Michael played GAA for club over five decades
The death occurred recently of Michael Culleton, one of Gusserane O’Rahilly GAA Club’s great footballers who lined out for his club over five decades.
Late of Ballycullane, Michael passed away peacefully on January 26th. He was born in 1932 to Jackie and Margaret Culleton and grew up in Burkestown, where his parents operated the railway crossing. He went to school in Ballycullane before following his father into CIE, working in Wexford Railway Station for a number of years, then relocating to Wellingtonbridge Station as station manager, then moving to Waterford Railway Station from where he served as area inspector up until his retirement.
Upon his retirement he pursued his love of horses and ponies, buying and selling them throughout Co Wexford and neighbouring counties.
A man who loved a tall tale, Michael had the gift of the gab and was popular with young and old alike. He loved telling stories and had a vast reservoir to draw upon from his football and hurling days.
Michael lined out for Gusserane O’Rahillys senior team from 1949 to 1980. He played minor hurling and football for Wexford for three years and was a member of the Wexford minor football team that won Leinster in 1950. He also played in the All Ireland Minor Football Final against Kerry that year.
Michael played senior football for Wexford from 1951 up until his final game in 1963, which was against Meath in the Leinster Championship at Croke Park.
He won a county senior medal with Gusserane in 1954 and was a substitute on the same team when they won it again in 1975 having recovered from meningitis, which saw him bed bound for a year, six years previously. His son John lined out with him on that memorable occasion.
Michael won his last medal at the age of 47, when he was on the team which won the county junior b hurling final in 1979, alongside John once more.
A man who always kept himself fit and in good shape, Michael lived for GAA. He travelled to Dublin many times to see his beloved Wexford team line out. Michael made great friends through his involvement in the GAA and was never shy of a word in Powers pub when it came to a match he’d seen or heard about.
He lived in Ballycullane for most of his life where he managed several Gusserane teams over the years. He was also one of the founders of St Leonards soccer club, along with his brother Willie.
In his later years, he took up the hobby of card playing and played five nights per week in Dunmain, Campile, Gusserane, St Leonards and his local hall in Ballycullane. This was a pastime from which he took great enjoyment and played with great enthusiasm each week until the games were suspended upon the introduction of covid restrictions during March of last year.
Michael was married to Josephine Molloy for 65 years and was a devoted husband and father. He passed away peacefully aged 88, in St John’s Community Hospital Enniscorthy, on January 26th after a short illness.
He is deeply missed by his wife Josephine, his children John, Angela (Australia), Emma, Sandra and MJ, his sister Bridget, daughters in law, sons in law, 17 grandchildren, five great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Michael was predeceased by his beloved daughter Bernadette (Ber) and siblings Paddy, John-Joe, Richie, Mary, Hannah, Nanny, Stacia, and Peggy. Michael’s brother Willie passed away on January 28th, 2021.
May he rest in peace.