Tony McGowan 10K run and 3K family walk in Drumshanbo
The Tony McGowan 10K run and 3K family walk takes place this Sunday at 12noon in Drumshanbo For further details on the event please contact 086-8281412
Tony McGowan
Tony McGowan was a school-teacher, a community leader, a sportsman, a musician, a man of strong values, a friend to many and – above all – a family man. Like other members of the Mc Gowan family, past and present, Tony brought a selfless commitment, an optimism, a vitality and a decency to his job and to the many activities in which he was involved. The achievements that graced his life were numerous.
Tony epitomised all that is good in voluntary work. Many groups and organisations benefited from his talents and from his generosity of time and spirit. From the early days of the St. Francis GAA club, founded in 1956, he was a member of all teams, including the trail-blazing Junior Football team that won the County Championship in 1963. He continued to play at Senior and Junior level into the early 70s, while increasing his involvement in the administration and coaching aspects of the game.
He served as Secretary of Leitrim County Board from 1971-80 and the Board’s Chairman from 1987-95. He was Joint Manager of the Leitrim Senior Team in 1989 and acted as a selector to PJ Carroll from 1990-92. One of his proudest moments was Leitrim’s Connacht Championship success of 1994. Tony served Allen Gaels as player, coach, Manager, secretary, chairman, Scór winner and club president through his lifetime. He founded Drumshanbo Athletics Club in 1980.
Tony was a person who would look at a far horizon while others looked at the ground. His ideas became goals for his club, his parish, his county. It was his inspiration and enthusiasm that shaped fund – raising projects like the successful OSullivan Beare walk (265 miles) from Glengarriff (Co. Cork) to Drumshanbo in 1983, and the two fruitful concert tours of England undertaken by Drumshanbo people in 1985.
During his very active participation in voluntary work, Tony was blessed with the indispensable support, help and love of Phil, their children – Martin, Diarmaid, Eilish, Lorraine and Mairead – and Tonys brother, Eamonn.Tonys interest in many sports ranged from that of the admirer to that of the devotee, depending on the sport. Apart from Gaelic Games, one of the sports he loved and coached was Athletics. So, it is very appropriate that his life as a liberal giver of his many talents is remembered and honoured by The Tony Mc Gowan 10K Road Race.
Tony McGowan distinguished himself in the GAA and held the following positions for club and county.
Secretary Leitrim CLCG ‘71 – ‘80
Chairman Leitrim CLCG ‘87 – ‘95
Joint Manager of Leitrim senior team ‘89
Selector on Leitrim senior team ‘90 – ’92
Former player, Manager, secretary, chairman and President Allen Gaels GAA club.
16-Feb-13 by Colette Fox – PRO
