Caretakers

Native of Clones.Sacristan in the old Cathedral from 1933-1936.He was a Postman and lived in Saint Brigid's Terrace .Popular Caretaker from 1933-1936 with Cavan CYMS.Married to Kathleen (Flanagan) from Crosserlough. Very able and popular Secretary of the Foresters,which had a very large and influential membership.Transferred to his home town of Clones on promotion in 1949. Formed a very successful Boy Scout Troop in Clones in 1950.Always kept in touch with Cavan and the CYMS.He is buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Clones.

Joe Murray was born in Cavan on the 17th of July 1910.Worked all his life with Cavan Urban Council.He was a member of the FCA during the Emergency (1939-1946) and served on the Urban Fire Brigade until its amalgamation with the County Brigade in 1950.Married Mary Ellen Callaghan from Belturbet ,they had a family of five children (Philip,Tommy,Rose,Bridie and Pauline) .Outstanding footballer with Cavan Harp.He was a lifelong loyal supporter of the Senior County team and his opinions and verdicts on the latest GAA news were eagerly sought by his friends and colleagues.Was recruited as Caretaker of Cavan CYMS by H L Smith and took up duty on the 15th October 1953 at an agreed wage of £1-5s-00d per week.Strict discipllinarian,he oversaw a very neat comfortable and well organised Club.He was popular with both members and Committee and retired on the 3rd of March 1958.Joe Murray is buried in Cullies beside his wife Ellen and eldest son Phillip..

Son of a Baker,Joe was born In Edgeworthstown County Longford in 1891 and followed his father into the trade.He married Rose Kelly in 1921 after he returned from a sojourn in America.They had a family of 10 children -6 girls and 4 boys.He first came to Cavan in 1933 as the Foreman of the new Bakery 'Pat McDonnells'.He was a very talented singer and musician and in the early years presented plays and sketches with his brother Johnny.He also painted all the sets for the shows.He was an accomplished hairdresser, shoemaker, carpenter, gardener and reared canaries and gold finches making the cages himself.Worked hard all of his life,his day started at 4:30 am and could last far into the evening.Captivating,humourous Company,he was a most popular Caretaker of Cavan CYMS and brought all his talents to a job he loved.He died in March 1965 at the age of 75.His son Mel and Bridie (Brady) are still hale and hearty and reside in Cavam.

Native of Military Row,Frank was a member of the old Catholic Club later a founder member of Cavan CYMS.Gifted card player Frank was the leading 'Solo' player of his day and was the yardstick by which skill and adroitness at this most demanding of card games was measured.Signal man with GNR Railways until the closure of the Cavan line in 1960.With the abrupt move to the Hut,Frank 'rallied the troups' taking the position of Caretaker which he carried out with great style,punctuality and firmness.He handed over the 'ropes' to his great Railway friend and colleague Ned Kinsella.His brother Bill was also a prominent member and a an employee of the Anglo Celt.Frank retired to Saint Phelim's Hospital in the latter days of his life but on his weekly visit to town looked up all of his CYMS friends to recall the great memories and 'battles'shared together in the comfortable surrounds of the Club's Card Room.

Born in Keadue County Armagh to Elizabeth and Thomas Kinsella in 1901.He was the eldest of a family of six.Grew up in Clones where he was a leading billiards player with the Catholic Club before following in his Father's footsteps as first a cleaner with GNR later becoming a fireman and driver.Married to Josephine Reillyy they had a family of 14.The two youngest were born in Cavan town after Ned was transfered from Clones in 1940.After the closure of the Cavan Station Ned worked in Belturbet,Clones,Oldcastle,Drogheda and Dublin where he drove on the Dublin-Belfast line before retiring at the age of 65.His was a huge contribution as Caretaker as he truely loved the job and created a reinvigorated Christain atmosphere in strange and run down conditions within the Hut.Everything he did he did well with a smile and a bit of humour.His premature death at the age of 73 occured on the 3rd October 1974 and he is buried in Killygarry.

Born on the 28th of September 1918.Married to Kathleen Donohoe on the 17th of November 1941.They had a family of six children Patsy,Michael,Monica,Kay,Peter and Tom.Worked along with his old friend Jim Fay in McCormack's Egg Store (opposite 'Top of the Town') Later worked in Providers on the Main Street and McCarren's Bacon Factory.He succeeded Ned Kinsella as Caretaker of the CYMS.Cycled on a tandem bicycle during the War years with Ned McKiernan and Tommy McCormack to bring the latest on the 'Silver Screen' to such far flung outposts as Arva and Bailieborough-the film encased in heavy steel containers strapped to Michael's back.Known as the 'Smiler',he created a very welcoming atmosphere in the Club and allied to the advent of colour tv and renewed interes in Snooker,Cavan CYMS at last began to prosper.Michael's untimely death occured at the age of 60 on the 8th of February 1978 and he is buried in Saint Brigids Cemetery Killygarry.

Born on the 9th of November 1909 in Glancurran in the Parish of Denn.He married Elizabeth Cassells a native of Behey Lavey in the old Cavan Cathedral in November 1930.They had a family of three sons and one daughter.He was a member of the old Catholic Club and later on the first Committee of Cavan CYMS in 1936.Mechanically gifted,drove the first steam roller in Cavan at the age of 16.He worked first with Dermot Morgan's Garage in Pudden Lane later moving to Farnham Street. After Dermot's retirement Jimmy lent his considerable skill and experience of the motor trade to Jacksons Garage.Worked as a projectionist in both the Town Hall and Magnet Cinema.Used a tandem bike with Ned McKiernan (proprietor) to cycle to Arva,Belturbet and Bailieborough.The Cinema came at the back of the tandem on a trailer! Member of both the LDF (25 years) and the Fire Brigade at the time of the Convent Fire.He followed Michael Donohoe as Caretaker of the CYMS in 1974.Jimmy died on the 22nd of May1991 and is buried in Upper Lavey.

Born in Castlerea in 1915.His father was a Sergeant in the British Army.Later moved to Athlone where Danny was educated in the local National School.Joined the British Army on the outbreak of World War 2 and was seriously wounded in the futile Allied Invasion of Dunkirk on June 5th 1940.Hospitalised in Belfast for a number of months,he later joined the Irish Army and was posted to Cavan.Married Annie (Weir) and located to Owen Roe where they had a family of three girls and two boys.Danny later worked with Onslow Bredin on the construction of Drumnavanagh before taking up the post of Boilerman in Lisdarn Hospital.In his youth he was an outstanding swimmer and boxer.Along with his good friend Jim Brady acted as Trainer and Second with both the Scouts and the John Bosco Club.Danny has the unique distinction of acting as Caretaker of Cavan CYMS in the early 1950s and again for a period of six years in the 1980s.Died on the 24th of October 1989 and is buried along with his wife Annie in Killygarry Cemetery.

Born in Connolly Street in 1925.Educated at 'Reilly's School' and Cavan Technical School .Joined his Father's Gents Hairdressing business at 58 A Main Street in 1941 and worked there with admirable skill and courtesy until 1970 when he emigrated to England for 15 years.Succeeded Jack Dunne as Caretaker of Cavan CYMS and was dservedly popular with both the Committee and members.Great sense of humour and very well informed.His hobbies were classical music (frequent visitor to Covent Garden),snooker and films.He was grandson of the famous Mrs Sutherland who never missed a 'change of film' in either the Magnet or Town Hall.He died in 2004 after a long illness, much of which he spent in the loving care of the Nurses and Staff of Esker Lodge Nursing Home and is buried in the Family Plot in Cullies.

Youngest son of Michael and Betty Breslin 23 Coleman Road.Brendan was educated at the Poor Clares,Saint Felim's and the Technical school.Member of Cavan CYMS for almost forty years.He won his first snooker tournament (The Patsy McConnell trophy) in 1968.Worked as a painter for all the local contractors before joining the Irish Army.Supervisor for an eighteen month period from1988-1990.Brendan was also a member of the Centenary Committee (1990).Brother of Mickey,Norman and Laura (Loughman).

Born in Maghera Cootehill on the 14th of December 1951 .Educted at Lisboduff School and Cootehill Comprehensive.Owen first trained as a Mechanic in Tractamotors.Gifted musician,playing the Pub and Club Circuit .Relief Band for Big Tom,Mighty Avons,Philomena Begleyetc..Emigrated to the USA in 1972 but continued to play the Irish American Music Circuit.While working in New York met his wife Ann Mulligan from Castlerea in County Roscommon.Returned to live at Blenacup (on the road to Killykeen) in 1998.Later joined the CYMS as Supervisor and was outstandingly popular with both members and Committee.He was brother in law of Paddy O Reilly Treasurer of Cavan CYMS His untimely death at the age of 52 occured on the 3rd of November 2004 and he is buried in Drumcor Cemetery.

A native of Butlersbridge.Paddy has a long association with Cavan CYMS.Served as Caretaker for ten years from 1992 until 2002.Extremely popular with both the Committee and membership.He still serves as Supervisor on Larry's night off .

Son of Tommy and Elizabeth McGuigan Breffni Terrace.Larry was educted in the Poor Clares,Saint Felim's Boys School and Cavan Vocational School..He follows in a long tradition of trusted and outstanding Supervisors.Popular with the patrons he is a major reason for the record number of members and continued appeal of Cavan CYMS.Extra responsibility in administering the bookings for the 6 new computers and accomodating the VEC Classes commencing at the end of November 2005.Brother of Jimmy who was a member of the Cavan CYMS All Ireland Winning Team of 1993.Larry lives at 1 O Raghallaigh Park Tierquin and is married to Catriona,they have one daughter Michaela.

Michael Strong