Popular Sean’s 70th birthday benefits charities
A POPULAR Knockshegowna man used a recent milestone birthday for the benefit of a number of charities close to his heart.
Sean Carroll turned 70 last January and, in his nature, to help out in his locality, he decided to have a party in Racket Hall Roscrea on Sunday afternoon January 15th and invited family, GAA friends and workmates in Eircom, and most of all his social dancing friends from around Tipperary, Offaly, Laois and many more places.
He didn’t wish for money or presents, instead asking those invited to donate to a collection which raised a superb €2,500. From that, €1,500 was donated to North Tipperary Hospice.
Another €500 was given to a good dancing friend, John McCawley from Mullingar, who is involved with the Tanzanian Heavenly Homes charity where John, along with a group of his friends, raise funds in the midland area they pay their own way to the African country to do their work. They have recently purchased five acres of land out there and this donation will sow a crop for them for this year. An area of this patch will be called “Knockshe” for the immediate future.
As an avid GAA person, regularly at Tipperary hurling games, Sean was also delighted to donate €500 to the Dillon Quirke Foundation.
Born on January 15th 1953 to parents Johnnie Carroll and Mollie Minogue (brother of Mick from Roscrea), Sean went to school at The Pike Ballingarry, and later to Borrisokane Vocational School. He is the youngest of a family of four with his older sisters Mary Long and Ann McGrath. Sadly, his brother Michael passed away on March 16th last, since the party. Michael was well known in horse racing circles. Strangely Michael passed away on the same day as his son John 23 years ago. Sean and his immediate family are very saddened with Michael's passing
Sean Carroll is more recognised with his involvement with Knockshegowna GAA club, where he became secretary at the club at 19 years of age he also held various positions, including being chairperson in 1996 at the time of the official opening of their GAA field in Ballingarry, attended by the late GAA President Joe MacDonagh.
On the playing fields, Sean won four North Junior Hurling Championship medals in 1972, '74, '88 & '89, and also coached the club to County Junior success in 1993.
Off the field, Sean worked in Eircom in Nenagh for 38 years as cable-jointer and the last ten years in the planning section, before taking early retirement 2012.
Sean is married to Mary Leogue from Geashill, Co. Offaly, so there is always great sport with Tipp and Offaly are playing in the household, which they’ll have again when the sides meet in Tullamore in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship later this month.
They have three children, son Raymond, daughter, Debbie King, and stepson Michael, along with seven grandchildren whom he enjoys going to see hurl with Carrig/Riverstown and Kilruane MacDonaghs at underage level, but whom he stresses will play for his beloved Knockshe at adult level.
Along with his passion for hurling, Sean likes a game of golf with a 19 handicap, as well as a game of cards. Social dancing is also a great passion, and along with a great group of people, they run the social dance in Ballingarry Community Hall on the second Saturday of each month and invites all to come along, particularly more males, as it is a brilliant night entertainment, great craic with lovely people.
Sean would like to thank all those who attended his recent birthday party and contributed so generously to the collection which will benefit three worthy causes.