Death of Joe Lennon

Thursday 24th November 2016

Down GAA was saddened to hear the news of the death of Joe Lennon our All Ireland Winning captain of 1968 and member of our history making teams of 1960 and 1961. Joe was born in Poyntzpass and went to school in St Colman’s Newry where he developed a great love of Handball. Joe played his club football for Aghaderg and was soon attracting the interest of the County selectors.

Though working in England and attending Loughborough College Joe still commuted to play for Down, he made his County debut in the 1956 season and was midfield on the historic breakthrough team of 1960 where he partnered Jarlath Carey. In fact Joe returned to England on that evening and missed out on the homecoming.

In 1961 he again partnered Jarlath Carey at midfield as Down overcame Offaly to retain the Sam Maguire. In 1968 Joe was the captain of the team from left half back, it is an interesting aside that four of our five All Ireland winning captains played in the half back line. An injury forced Joe to retire at half time but he was still able to lift the Sam Maguire as Down beat Kerry 2-12 to 1-13. Post match Joe in his acceptance speech donated the match ball to be raffled for the starving people of Biafra, a tremendous gesture and indicative of the man. Joe Lennon retired from the Inter County scene in 1970, his last appearance in Croke Park was in the 1970 League Final against Mayo. In his playing career Joe won 3 Senior All Irelands, 3 National Football League titles, 7 Ulster Championships and represented Ulster winning 4 Railway Cup medals.

In the autumn of 1980 Joe answered the call to manage Down and led the team to an Ulster title in 1981 when we beat Armagh in Clones before losing to Offaly in the All Ireland Semi Final. Joe stood down as manager in 1982 but still retained a great interest in Down Football. In 1991 Joe smiled as he remarked that the mantle as the last Down All Ireland winning captain had now been passed to Paddy O’Rourke. When Down GAA embarked on its football Consultative Process in 2013/14 Joe Lennon engaged in the process, he wanted to put something back and we were honoured to have his input for Joe Lennon was one of the greatest football brains of his time.

In the 1960s he was ahead of his time he produced the first coaching book, Coaching Gaelic Games for Champions and the book was accompanied by a series of coaching cards showing Down team mates demonstrating the skills of the game.

In 2000 he was conferred with a PHD in the field of philosophy of sport for his thesis, Towards a philosophy for legislation in Gaelic Games.

Down GAA County Chairman Sean Rooney said, ‘Joe Lennon was an iconic figure in Gaelic Games not just in Down but throughout Ireland. He was a man who gave great service to the County as both player and manager and as an All Ireland winning captain. He will always have a special place in the annals of Down GAA’.

Joe will be reposing at his home 'Little Kept' Gormanstown Co Meath on Saturday from 12 noon to 7.00pm. His remains will then leave at 8.30pm for St Patricks Church Stamullen. Burial will take place on Sunday after 10.00am mass.