Sadness at passing of Michael Jim Kenny, Letterbarrow

There was much sadness in the Drimarone and Letterbarrow area on Sunday with news of the passing of Michael Jim Kenny, Letterbarrow.

A much respected member of the local community, Michael Jim's name was synonymous with Letterbarrow Celtic FC as a founding member and manager for many years.

His attachment to the club continued through his son, John, and he was a permanent fixture at their games up until his recent illness. He was manager when Letterbarrow secured their first promotion in 1982.

His love of sport extended much further than Letterbarrow as he was also a supporter of St Naul's and Donegal and he travelled extensively supporting both. And he was always of a positive nature about all the teams he supported.

Michael Jim spent all of his life in the Letterbarrow area, and worked in Magees of Donegal Town. He just loved meeting people and having conversations on every subject. One of his great loves was card playing.

During the 1970s and 1980s he was heavily involved in the local Drimarone Dramatic Society and performed on stage in many of the local plays of the time.

He just loved contributing to the local community and did so in an unassuming way. When Letterbarrow FC was founded in 1976, Michael  Jim immediately threw his weight behind the venture, giving up his time to manage the team and he stuck with them through thick and thin.

The club's final league game of the season on Sunday last against Convoy Arsenal was called off as a mark of respect.

“He has been an ever present,” said chairman, James McGroary. “He was our manager at the start, a very relaxed manager. I remember his saying on the morning of a match, ‘how many have we got today’. Those were different times and great fun.

“He was there no matter how good or how bad things were and he was so proud that the club kept going. He never missed a match, even away matches, a great character, always 110 percent behind the club.”

There was a large turnout of club members for a guard of honour at O’Neill’s Crossroads on Sunday evening when Michael Jim’s remains were brought him to his house.

His wake takes place today and tomorrow Tuesday from 12-10 pm with funeral after Requiem Mass in the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Drimarone on Wednesday at 12 noon.

In his 80th year, Michael Jim was predeceased by his brother William, sister Anna (Moohan) and brother-in-law Charlie Moohan and is sadly missed by his beloved wife Brigid, son Martin (Fiona, Letterkenny), Bernard (Colette, Letterbarrow), John (Laura, Letterbarrow) and his grandchildren Kayleigh, Milly, Arianna & Joel, Keira, Eimear & Tom, Grace & Séaghan.