A pall of sadness rests over Longford and Ballymahon GAA this weekend following news of the death of county 1960s goalkeeping star John Heneghan. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO RIP: ‘A Louth and proud man’ who left an enduring legacy in Longford: Owen Johnston lived his life very simply and honestly John, of The Clover, Creevaghmore, Ballymahon, passed to his eternal reward peacefully, surrounded by his heartbroken family, in Mullingar Regional Hospital on Friday, January 30, 2026. His death is particularly poignant since it occurred just twenty-five days after his wife Mary (née Rhatigan) passed away. A lovely couple, they were well known and highly respected by everyone in Ballymahon and beyond. A goalkeeper of renown, John won a National Football League medal in 1966 and he also guarding the net in 1968 when Longford won their only ever Leinster Senior Football Championship title. Longford defeated Laois by 3-9 to 1-4 in the Leinster Final on Sunday, July 21, 1968 at Croke Park and in the earlier rounds they dispatched with the challenge of Dublin (1-12 to 0-12, June 2 in O’Connor Park, Tullamore) and reigning All-Ireland champions Meath (0-12 to 0-7, July 7 in Cusack Park, Mullingar). Longford won the NFL title in 1966 and testament to their standing as one of the greatest teams of that era, five of the side represented Leinster on Railway Cup duty in ’68 – Larry Gillen, John Donlon, Jimmy Hannify, Sean Donnelly & Brendan Barden. While in ‘69, the late John was one of six Longford men on the Leinster squad - Seamus Flynn (who’d the honour of captaining the team), along with Brendan Barden, Jimmy Hannify, Seán Donnelly and Jackie Devine. Unfortunately, Longford’s heroic bid to reach the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final in ‘68 was shattered by Kerry on Sunday, August 4 before an attendance of 34,063 in Croke Park as they lost out by 2-11 to 2-13. The winner of an O’Byrne Cup medal in 1965, John’s place among the pantheon of Longford legends was cemented in 2000 when
RIP: Longford and Ballymahon GAA mourns sad passing of 1960s goalkeeping star John Heneghan
Late John Heneghan, The Clover, Creevaghmore, Ballymahon, Longford will be laid to rest on Tuesday, February 3
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Caption: An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Mick Cahill and the Members of Longford County Council held a Civic Reception on Friday, November 18, 2016 in the Council Chamber, Aras an Chontae in honour of the Longford County Football Team of 1966-1968, who won the 1966 National Football League and the 1968 Leinster Senior Football Championship.(front row) Terry McGovern, Jimmy Hanniffy, Brendan Gilmore, Paddy Mahon, Chief Executive, Longford County Council, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Mick Cahill, Marian Donlon, Carmel Kelly, (back row) Niall Nally, Mick Hopkins, Andy Tynan, Larry Gillen, Sean Donnelly, Frank McGann, Tom Mulvhill, Jackie Devine, Seamus Flynn, Pat Barden, Brendan Burke, Mary McGrath, John Heneghan, J.P. Reilly and Maura Sheridan. Picture by Willie Farrell.
