Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins GAA pay tribute to Dessie Kieran RIP

Dessie Kieran, Main St, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim is being laid to rest today following his funeral in St. Patrick’s Church, Ballinamore at 12 noon.

Ballinamore Sean O'Heslin's GAA club paid tribute to the man this week calling him "one of the stalwarts of Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s since his playing days in the late 1940s and through the 1950s."

The club stated, "Dessie was the goalkeeper on the famous Ballinamore team which won the 1956 Senior Championship, the club’s first at the time, after what seemed an eternity from 1939. That victory was the highlight of Dessie’s generation and was spoken about with pride ever after.

While still a player, Dessie was very involved in the administration of the club along with his brother, the late Brendan. Between them, they were central to the running of the club in the 1950s and 1960s. Dessie was club Treasurer from 1953-1955 and again in 1958. He was also Assistant Treasurer from 1964-1968.

"He was a mine of information on anything to do with the club, and indeed the town, and a visit to the chemist shop run by himself and his wife, Sheelah, would yield the answers to many questions. Dessie was particularly proud to see his son Paul play a central role in Leitrim’s great Connacht Senior Championship win in 1994 and in Ballinamore’s Senior title wins in the 1980s and 1990."

The club expresses sympathy to Dessie’s wife Sheelah and sons Paul, John and Mark and the extended family.