County final and All-Ireland wins lit up latter years of a true Limerick GAA man

THE LATE Denis Kennedy of Cooga, Doon got his keen interest in local history, tracing people, newspapers, the radio, and hurling from his mother Kitty.

The son of Kitty and dairy farmer Tony is sadly missed since his death last month. Denis, born in 1947, attended school at Doon CBS. As an only son Denis fell into farming. He didn’t really like farming or attending marts all that much but didn’t complain. His farm was a bit scattered and he had to travel several miles on his Massey Ferguson to  land in Carrigbeg.

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He liked to visit his uncle George Lonergan and his wife Kate on the way. He also often called to Dan Ryan Con and his wife Josie, a tremendous host. Denis also enjoyed stopping at Carroll’s for tea and chats. Denis also had land on The Bog Road to Cappamore. Pat Byrnes often helped Denis and his father save hay. 

When it wasn’t that busy at home Denis would work for Madden’s Builders of Cappamore. Denis enjoyed working there. He often spoke fondly of his time tending the bricklayer Willie Cunningham of Murroe. Denis also worked for Connie O’ Connell who did a lot of agricultural building. 

Denis was 17 when he went to see The Royal Showband play in Dromkeen. He always enjoyed music, especially sentimental songs.

 Denis met Sheila Heffernan of Solohead parish at a dance in Dundrum. Sheila went to America for a while but luckily for Denis, she returned and they were married in 1974. Denis and Sheila lived in Doon South and in more recent times Cooga. They had five children.

He always loved hurling and looked up to his uncle Red Bill Lonergan who captained Doon to win their only County Junior Finals in 1939 and 1941. Denis’ favourite Doon player was Jim O’Donnell who played centre back for Limerick and won an All-Ireland in 1973. Denis was always delighted to meet Jim. Denis said he liked to play corner back behind Rodgie Ryan as the ball didn’t come into him too much. Denis captained Doon to win the Minor County title of 1965 and played corner back for the Limerick U-21 team in 1968.

Denis did all kinds of jobs to support Doon's hurlers. He was club secretary during the 1970s, a selector on many teams for nearly forty years, groundsman for several years and was very proud of the fine facility developed in the village. He also had an active role in fundraising, especially with the Doon GAA Lotto.

Denis also represented the club at East Board and County Board meetings. He often drove young players to matches and trials. He always had a big crowd in his car and was often so distracted talking that the car would almost come to a halt and he would have to be reminded to get moving again. He was proud when his son Pearse captained Doon in the 2000 County Final.

He was active in parish life - a member of the Community Council, Doon Housing Committee and  attended Doon Historical Society talks. He enjoyed taking part in quizzes. and appeared on RTE’s Know Your Sport. 

Denis came from a Fianna Fail house but wasn’t very politically inclined  beyond a bit of canvassing for Eddie Wade. Denis did have a great interest in current affairs. He had a lot of empathy for the hunger strikers and the Irish who were victims of miscarriages of justice in the UK.  He enjoyed compiling the Register of Electors in Doon.

Denis suffered a heart attack in his late 40s and had a lot of health problems and trips to the hospital over the years but never seemed to dwell on them too much. 

He had a lot of great friends. There were always visitors to the house and loud conversations would take place. Sometimes it was hard for the visitor to get a word in. Tom O’ Brien was a good friend. Denis helped Tom put a History of Doon GAA book together. Richard Martin also visited most days. Denis’ old school friend Michael Ryan also visited regularly. John-Joe Fahy was also a good friend. Denis and Sheila liked to meet Pat Lonergan and his wife Nora in Whelan’s Bar after funerals.

As the years went by many of the visitors passed away. Each passing was a blow as the house got a bit quieter, although the arrival of grandchildren livened it up. Denis attended matches up until this year.  He was able to watch streamed games, often with  friends Donal Anderson, Con McGrath and Johnny Butler. 

Denis lived to see Limerick’s great recent successes and Doon’s victory in the 2024 County Final. Great supports from Milford Care Centre allowed Denis to spend his last days in comfort at home. He enjoyed his life, loved his family, meeting people, his parish and the GAA. He made a good impression on those he met and will be sadly missed by family and friends.