Family man steeped in GAA, community and farming
OBITUARY
Our community woke up on Sunday morning, March 3 to the shocking and sad news that Phil Moynagh, Corduff had passed away, and it took some time for us to take it all in, this one especially. A man seemingly in good health just a short time ago, going about his daily routine which was always a busy one and now gone to his eternal reward. It makes you stop and wonder. Phil, as he was affectionately known, was born and grew up in the townland of Legwee with his late parents Ned and Kitty. He shared that upbringing alongside his brothers Paddy and James and sisters Maggie and Mary. He was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1954 and as a young boy with his parents and family he would have made the Sunday trip to Mass in St Mary’s Church Bruskey, a journey taken on foot - that’s the way it was back then.
Phil lived a hugely busy life and had so many interests. Let’s start with football. He devoted his early life to his club Mullahoran and gave sterling service to them on and off the field. I can recall coming up against him in the old field, right beside his home known as Sanctus’s, and he let me know he was there! Tough as teak, he gave his all during those playing days. In the years that followed Phil held many positions at club level such as chairman, secretary and selector.
Later his football interest became very much involved with Lacken Celtics where his whole family pulled on the sky blue jersey. His sons James, Philip and Shane have been standard bearers for many years while his daughters Cathriona, Ann Marie, Mairead and Roisin have all been huge contributors to Lacken Ladies and Camógs. All of that was made possible when Philip married the love of his life Ann Cullen from Cormeen and set up home in Corduff where they raised a family that anyone would be proud of. While the boys and girls were doing their bit, Phil himself took up many roles at underage coaching and loads of success with championship wins at U14, U16, minor, while there are many happy memories recalled by those he coached.
Scór, which is a big part of the GAA, owes gratitude to him as he played a major role in its early development and of course we all remember the Wrenboys. As a family man there was none better - devoted to the cause and making sure through lots of hard work and long hours that all had their needs filled. At farming he knew all there was to know about the skill having attended agricultural college in Athenry, County Galway. We all know his work in the organic system, the tunnels at his homestead where he spent many happy days producing the very best of top quality vegetables. If you just called in to see his work you wouldn’t leave empty handed - he would throw you something saying, ‘Try that when you go home’.
Though he never took alcohol, he always enjoyed a social occasion and he joined in the fun. He was proud holder of his gold pin for 50 years true to the cause.
Country music was one of his favourites and many a time himself and his beloved wife Ann took to the floor when good old country sounds rang out and there was line dancing as well. A man with deep faith, he and his family were always very much involved with the local church here in Bruskey and he was a regular reader at Masses as well as being a Eucharistic minister. If someone couldn’t carry out their duty a phonecall to Phil and he would always oblige. Another of his loves was climbing Croagh Patrick, and he was even known to have climbed it in his bare feet.
He realised his dream of owning a campervan, and he and Ann made many trips to several parts of Ireland. Phil and Ann hosted people from many parts of the world - WWOOFers (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) who came to stay, work and learn on their farm. Many stayed in touch over the years and made return visits.
He was a man who followed old traditions and one of those was returning to the family home on Christmas night where tales and stories of days gone past were recalled. Sadly it will be no more.
Despite his busy life he returned to college in later years where he qualified as an electrician and worked in the ESB.
Phil was a great man for conversation, always on top of the topics of the day and he spoke his mind. He was not one for changing his mind as his views were strong. Nor was he afraid of a hard day’s work, it was something he took in his stride.
As already written, he was steeped in the GAA and the year of his birth he shared with the likes of Michael Lyster, RTÉ and legends like Tim Kennelly and Mickey Sheehy and Jimmy Barry Murphy. Not bad company. We will all miss Phil in the time ahead and the spot in or around the midfield area along the railing in Crowe Park will not be the same anymore. It was the place you would find him as Lacken Celtics strove for victory in whatever the game. And when it was all over his analysis was always very fair and to the point, win lose or draw. Long may his spirit live around the famous old club. God rest you Phil and you look down on us all.
His remains reposed at Reilly’s Funeral Home on Monday evening and Kilcogy village has never seen such crowds as mourners came from far and near to pay their respects to the highly regarded Phil and his family. Then on Wednesday morning it was one last journey up the Bog Line Road for his funeral celebration Mass in St Mary’s and along the way a huge turnout from Lacken Club provided a fitting guard of honour, flanking the cortege, a final farewell from his many clubmates. His funeral Mass was celebrated by Rev Sean McDermott PPP with concelebrants Rev Jim Brady, PJ Hughes, the beautiful singing voice of Aisling Crowe adding to the occasion, where once again there was a huge crowd present. Afterwards his remains were brought to Loughduff Cemetery for burial and on that journey he passed by is old home in Legwee where his life began and now sadly ended all too soon. We extend the entire community’s sympathies to Phil Moynagh’s extended family.
Obituary by Danny Brady