Sad passing of Johnny
ONE of Blessington’s most popular residents, Johnny Reynolds, passed away at home in Blessington last week. Johnny was one of the area’s most popular local gents. He was born and raised in the West Wicklow town where his father arrived as the local garda sergeant in the 1950s.
Johnny, together with his brothers, Michael and Peter, who predeceased him, played for Blessington, winning the inaugural local Father Lucey
Cup tournament in 1955 and taking the scalp of Kildare Junior champions Athgarvan in the same tournament in 1957.
Johnny transferred to neighbours Kilbride in the sixties, winning a Senior county championship medal in 1968. Johnny returned to the Blues and played his last game versus Dunlavin in the Junior championship of 1970.
As the local builder, Johnny completed many houses and extensions and also trained up several who today owe their trades to him. Like many retired footballers Johnny became a regular golfer joining Baltinglass Golf Club where he was captain in 2005 and elected club President in 2018.
Horse racing was a big interest and family holidays had to be arranged around Punchestown, Galway and Cheltenham. Johnny retained his interest in club and county and it is sad that present restrictions limited attendance on Saturday last although golfer friends provided a wonderful guard of honour on the day.
Sympathies are extended to Johnny’s wife, Ann, and daughters, Aislinn, Aine and Clare and extended family.