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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
 

Copyright ©2002 Cumann Uí Néill Cluain Tiobraid