Fr Bennie Maguire, retired, Virginia

News of the death of Fr Bennie Maguire at the Mater Hospital, Dublin on Sunday was received with genuine sorrow. A native of Drumscridian, Crosserlough, he was 78 last Friday. Aside from his pastoral duties he will be best remembered for his sporting prowess as a player and county and club team manager. He was born on April 8, 1933 to Thomas and Rose A Maguire and received his early education at Crosserlough NS and St Patrick's College, Cavan. He was appointed Cavan football team manager in February 1973, when he was curate in Drung, and had control of the senior and U21 teams. He had come to prominence when he guided St Patrick's College to the all-Ireland senior colleges football title and Hogan Cup triumph in 1972, the first time the title had come to the Cavan college. His nomination for the position of Cavan senior team manager had been unanimous. He succeeded Gabriel Kelly, who had held the post for two years but who had resigned in 1971. There was no manager in situ the following year. Fr Bennie applied his skills before resigning in September 1978 and was succeeded by PJ Carroll. Fr Maguire studied for the priesthood and was ordained in Maynooth on June 22, 1958. He was emigrant chaplain in London for two years before being appointed to the teaching staff of St Patrick's College in 1959. He spent 16 years on the staff and taught maths and science. He took on the task of training the St Patrick's College football team and won an Ulster title in 1972. This was followed by victory over St Jarlath's College, Tuam in the all-Ireland semi-final. There was a greater challenge to come when they sought all-Ireland honours. Their opponents, St Brendan's College, Killarney, had come with a proud record, and a team that included Pat Spillane. Fr Bennie had seen the potential as he set about building a successful team, beginning in September 1971. Success was achieved through a well-worked plan. Most of the panel were day students, and with the co-operation of the teaching staff, the players trained after school and were then taken home. It was this kind of preparation that enabled the players to gain valuable training, and together with a number of challenge games they were ready. They destroyed the St Brendan's hopes 2-11 to 1-5 and achieved the supreme accolade in colleges competitions. To win the Ulster title and MacRory Cup was the first goal. A quarter-final place beckoned against St Michael's, Enniskillen in Lisnaskea. Peter McGinnity was in the Enniskillen side, but St Pat's won 5-17 to 0-9, the first time the college had achieved victory over St Michael's since 1957, the year the Enniskillen school entered college football competitions. The final was reached for the first time since 1965 at the expense of St Columb's College, Derry by 3-9 to 0-7 at Lisnaskea. This marked their 13th game in the series, which proved a lucky omen. The title was won against Abbey CBS in Dowdallshill, Dundalk by 1-9 to 2-4, and a 10-year gap was bridged. The Cavan college took their 11th Ulster title, which was at that time one less than the record held by St Pat's, Armagh. All-Ireland semi-finals can be nerve-wracking but against St Jarlath's, Tuam in Pearse Park, Longford, the Cavan side came out comfortable winners, and Fr Bennie, along with Patsy Lee, also a member of the teaching staff, had the players ready for the challenge of the final at Croke Park, and they overcame St Brendan's College, Killarney on April 18, 1972 by 2-11 to 1-5. That team that won All-Ireland honours was (13-a-side); Aiden Elliott; Pat McGill, Eamonn Gillick; John Sweeney, Ollie Brady, Gerry Smith; Ciaran O'Keeffe, Sean Leddy; Pat Brady, Niall Brennan (Capt.), Brian Brady; Michael English, Hugh Reynolds. Sub, Charlie Donohoe. Fr Benny came from a strong footballing family. He and his late brother Canon John, who died in 1973, lined out for Crosserlough in the 1950s and 60s, helping them to championship success. In their first, in 1958, he lined out with Sean Byers at midfield when they defeated Cavan Gaels in the final. He was on the junior team that overcame Belturbet in the championship final in 1967, the first time the title went to the parish. He was at m idfield and was partnered by Pete Leddy. He saw Crosserlough achieve a record-breaking seven in a row senior titles from 1966 to 1972. Following an unsuccessful spell as Cavan team manager Fr Bennie enjoyed success at club level. During his period as curate in Bunnoe in 1975 he was team manager of the Drung team that won the Junior championship title in 1980. Fr Bennie moved as curate to Castlerahan in 1982, where he continued to enjoy success and was manager of the junior team that won the championship in 1987. He was appointed PP of Glenfarne in 1988, and went to Lavey in 1991. He retired to Kill in 2001 and was appointed curate in Cross in 2004 before moving to Virginia in 2010 to spend his remaining time in retirement. He enjoyed fishing and spent many evenings on his boat in quiet reflection. He is survived by his brothers, Seamus, Bray and Philip, Drumscridian and his sister, Mrs Mary Matthews, Virginia. The funeral is today (Wednesday) after noon Mass in St Mary's Church, Cross to Crosserlough cemetery.