Tribute
to Packie McCully
Clontibret
Secretary/Treasurer 1945-1962
There are those who claim
that had Packie McCully not been in Clontibret in the 1940's, Clontibret
O'Neills might never have existed. It was during the Second World
War when the youth of Ireland were called to loin the L.D.F. to defend
their country. It was in that era that a new spirit was born in
the life of many young men in the Clontibret area. The birth of a
new football team was about to take place. There had been various
teams in the parish down through the years but a 'united front' was
called for. Packie McCully and his friends in the new Defense
Force saw the need and acted upon it.
Money was collected to buy a
football and the boys turned out in the evenings to play in Sonny
Geoghegan's field beside the chapel. Thus began the emergence of
the famous Clontibret O'Neills.
Packie McCully was gifted
with an organisational ability given to few and he fully utilised that
gift in his personal, family and sporting life. It was he, who was
mainly responsible for the re-birth of post-war Gaelic football in
Clontibret. It was he who chose the saffron colours for the club
in 1945. He was the man, ably assisted by his new committee, who
got the fledgling club off the ground, supervised its growth and by his
meticulous attention to detail, ensured its continuous development and
ultimate success.
As a player, Packie was in
the company of greats, always prepared to assist the team in any
position on the field of play, and as in all other facets of life,
always giving his best. He will, of course, be best remembered as
an organiser and administrator. He was an excellent Secretary and
Treasurer and kept meticulous notes on meetings and games which can
still be read today.
Packie was the man upon whom
everyone depended to get things done and he never disappointed. He
looked after everything from footballs to socks, boots, gloves and all
playing gear and equipment. He was not, of course, a one man
operation because he had plenty of help from an enthusiastic bunch of
young fellows who were intent on leaving their mark on the football
fields of Monaghan and Ulster in the 1950's and 60's. He was the
proud Secretary of the famous team who carried off the first
four-in-a-row Senior Club Championships in County Monaghan.
Packie was the most courteous
of gentlemen, a friend to everyone, never losing his temper or using bad
language, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Despite the many demands by
his club, he still found time to help other budding secretaries on how
to organise their affairs. He also served for many years as
Registrar for Monaghan County Board and probably never missed a Board
meeting during his term. The sudden death of Packie in 1974, just
one year after the opening of Clontibret O'Neill's new ground, was a
huge blow to all who knew him personally and to many who know him only
for his ability as a G.A.A. administrator.
Clontibret O'Neills decided
to dedicate a suitable memorial to Packie after his death and a
perpetual Cup was presented for a juvenile competition within the parish
to promote under-age football. This was something Packie held
close to his heart. The three clubs in the parish, Clontibret
O'Neills, Cremartin Shamrocks and Doohamlet played each other in this
competition for the following five years.
Today the Packie McCully Cup
marks the prize for the winners of the Ulster Intermediate Club
Championship. The successful club should be quite proud to raise
aloft a piece of silverware which commemorates the work of a true
stalwart of the club.
Pat Murphy
& Kieran Lavelle
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