| Sean writes as follows: "I would like
to pay tribute, through the medium of your newspaper, to a good friend and a
great Longfordian, the late Hugh "Crippen" Devine. I know that Hugh
will not easily be for- gotten in Co. Longford, in Mostrim particularly, and by
many Mostrim people now resident in various foreign countries. Many of us will
remember him as the organiser of all our Gaelic foot-ball games which we
enjoyed as schoolboys in Mostrim. Some may remember him more as a great
character who was always around when we came home on leave and with whom we had
a good chat about the 'good old days'. "I remember him as always being
there and never seeming to change, for, as long as memory allows. However, my
earliest specific memory is of Hugh rushing around trying to organise transport
and fifteen to twenty disorganised schoolboys for a game in Clonbroney. The job
of moving the whole gang, plus supporters, was given to the late Joe
"Purdy" Cullen (R.I.P.). That is nearly 20 years ago now. I earned a
nickname, ".Half-Pint" from that game. From then on the pattern was
always the same - Hugh rushing around trying to organise everything; counting
players, putting us into our positions on the field, shouting to try and make
himself heard, putting in last minute substitutes and then having to go through
the agony of watching us play. Hugh used to get upset and it was little wonder.
Hugh loved the game and was a stickler for the rules. I remember his nephew,
Jackie, and my brother, P.J., being banned from a Juvenile game against
Drumlish because they dabbled in foreign games in Longford town. At the time we
had a lot to say about it but those were the rules then and Hugh enforced them.
"Nor did he get much reward for his efforts, not that he ever wanted any.
We never, at least in my time, won any Cups or medals but we had a great deal
of entertainment. We nearly did it against Longford Slashers in the Minor Final
in 1958, against a very talented Longford Slashers side. A good last minute
goal put paid to our aspirations. "But Hugh was not just concerned with
the schoolboys. He was also the main organiser of the Senior sides. He must
have put in a great many man-hours in the interests of the G.A.A. in Mostrim.
Am I right in saying that he did this over a period of more than fifty years?
Surely Hugh must deserve special mention in the Annals of the G.A.A., if this
has not already being done, because few men have ever given so many years and
so much unpaid time in the interests of any amateur Association. I would also
go so far as to suggest that future teams in Mostrim be callcd the "Hugh
Devines" instead of, and with all, due respect to that great man, Wolfe
Tone. "I wish I had written this letter while Hugh was still alive, to
show him that we appreciated al his efforts and his company. But it's too late
now, and in extending my sincere condolences to all his family, I hope that
they will draw a little comfort from the knowledge that he is not forgotten by
many of us 'who will greatly miss the pleasure of his company on our
next trip home". |
