PICTURES | Longford GAA stalwarts commemorated at unveiling of plaques in Dromard

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A special event took place on Easter Monday, April 10 at Páirc na nGael, Dromard, where memorial plaques were unveiled in honour of two of Dromard GAA Club’s most distinguished former members, the late Johnny Creegan (Crott) and Peter Crossan (Fyhora).

Johnny was Vice President of Longford GAA and Dromard GAA Club and an iconic figure in Dromard and Longford GAA circles since the 1950s. Along with his three brothers Seamus, Oliver and PJ, Johnny played for Dromard in the 1950s and 1960s and was on the Dromard junior team that reached the Junior Championship final in 1955. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

As well as his contribution to the Club on the field of play, from his early years – and while still playing – Johnny served on the Club’s executive in almost every position. He has the astonishing record of having held the positions of Club Secretary, Treasurer, PRO and County Board Delegate.

In 1972 he was elected Chairman of the Longford County Minor Board. Johnny played an instrumental role in the development of Dromard’s old grounds at JJ Donohoe Memorial Park in Kiltycon.

Johnny’s longest contribution in a single role was as Club PRO, a position he held for 40 years. During this time, Johnny used his unique skills as a writer, historian, social commentator – as well as his encyclopedic knowledge of the GAA – to keep the Dromard community at home and abroad abreast of developments in the GAA and in the wider community. He remained a loyal supporter of Dromard GAA and until his passing regularly attended fixtures at all levels at Páirc na nGael, where his absence is still missed on match days.

Peter Crossan made an enormous contribution at all levels of the club over many years from his involvement with senior, U21, minor and schools teams in Dromard and he served in various capacities on our minor and senior executives. Peter also trained the Dromard ladies team for a period and he was a trainer of Longford county teams at U21 level for a number of years.

Many of our current and former players as well as players from neighbouring clubs will have fond memories of Peter from their time in Moyne Community School where he was a respected teacher and where he coached and mentored a large number of our young players. The success these players later went on to enjoy at club and county level owes much to Peter’s dedication as a trainer and his encouragement of our young players.

Dromard’s success at senior and U21 level from 1999 and through the 2000s would not have been possible without his contribution to the coaching of our players. Peter was a popular and highly respected member of our Club and he is fondly remembered.

In memory of Johnny and Peter and to mark their life-long contributions to Dromard GAA Club, two special memorial plaques were unveiled at Easter Monday’s ceremony by the Chairperson of Dromard GAA, John Duffy. The plaques were blessed by the President of Dromard GAA and our Parish Priest Fr Pat Lennon.

In attendance were representatives of the Creegan and Crossan Families, members of Dromard GAA club and the local community as well as current and former Dromard players. The plaques and accompanying inscriptions are installed on two seats along the public walking track at Páirc na nGael.

The Plaque in memory of Johnny reads , ''In memory of Johnny Cregan , a man who loved life almost as much as he loved football''.

While Peter's Plaque reads '''This seat is dedicated to the memory of Peter Crossan, a man who mentored excellence on and off the pitch''.

After the unveiling and blessing those in attendance took shelter from the elements in the clubhouse for a cup of tea and some memories of both men were shared by a number of speakers.

Current President of Longford GAA Jimmy Fox regaled all present with some stories of his many dealings with both and reminded all that his first of many county board roles was as vice chairman of Longford Minor board to Johnny Creegan around 1973. He also spoke of visiting Peter Crossan and his wife May's home in Fyhora while chairman of Longford senior board and of how welcoming they both were.

Benedict Reid spoke of how much respect he had for both men being remembered and of his fond memories of helping with Johnny Creegan to start underage football in Dromard in the early 1960s having been a former fellow student with Johnny in The Latin School when he started his studies there Johnny was in Leaving Cert . Benedict spoke of how Johnny had served his Club, County and society in general so well.

When he spoke of Peter Crossan his former colleague on the teaching staff of Moyne Community School he was visibly moved as he remembered a man who went out of his way to impart his knowledge to the students whether in engineering class or on the football field and always done with respect which is why all who ever attended his class had the utmost of respect for Peter Crossan.

John Duffy called on his immediate predecessor in the role of Dromard GAA Chairperson Gerrry Sheridan to address those assembled as it was he who had proposed in his final address to the Club at the AGM last November that these two men be remembered as they both had passed away during Covid Lock down without having had the usual respects paid to them at the time of their passing. He said that he was glad to see this day come to fruition and then he too shared some special memories of his dealings with both men.

Longford Central Council Delegate James Clarke spoke on behalf of the present County executive and while also sharing some memories of Johnny Creegan who he had been friendly with for many decades he especially echoed some of what Benedict Reid had alluded to earlier in how much the Gaa as an organisation has contributed to the communities of Ireland and to the broader society and that it is people like Johnny and Peter who have been to the forefront of that special contribution of the GAA to Ireland.

Micheal O'Reilly, (nephew of Johnny) and Sean Crossan (brother of Peter) spoke on behalf of the Creegan and Crossan Families and both men talked about the pride they felt at the memorials their loved one and thanked Dromard GAA for not forgetting while underlining the fact that neither men would have expected today's event to happen as humility would have prevented that.

So despite the cold outside a very warm occasion was brought to a close with John Duffy thanking all for their attendance while the chat among each other continued with Peter and May's family hearing many stories for the first time from the likes of Declan Shanley who was a long time friend of Peter's from his time as County selector with Joe Mulvihill for Longford Under 21s. The two seats with the plaques (purchased from Midland Trophies Longford and arranged and fixed by Club Secretary Ray Murphy) attached are along the Walkway which surrounds our Club facilities and it is hoped that people will sit for a moment and say a little prayer for these two and all the volunteers who have handed on the tradition of the GAA to the present generation.

Thanks to Peggy Kiernan who made sure everyone was offered a cup of tea and a treat if they so wished which added to the homeliness of a very nice occasion.