February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The death occurred last week of well-known Cavan GAA stalwart Sean Leddy, formerly of Stroane, Butlersbridge. He was 45.
In the 1970s, he played regularly with the Cavan team in New York. He was on the Cavan team that won the junior title in 1979.
Like many young players, his interest in Gaelic football began as a schoolboy at Butlersbridge National School and continued as a student in St. Patrick’s College, Cavan, where he played in various grades.
The high point of his colleges career came in 1972 when St. Pat’s won the Ulster title for the first time since 1961 and went on to capture the All-Ireland title for the first time ever when defeating St. Brendan’s Killarney at Croke Park.
His county senior career from 1973 until 1980 didn’t provide him with provincial championship medals, but his wholehearted approach to the game and his exemplary sportsmanship were assets which gained him the respect of opponents and supporters.
He enjoyed a spell as a referee in the late 1970s and early ’80s and was also involved in the Over-40s football team.
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He also made his name in more arenas than the football field. He one of the leading lights in this year’s annual Ballyjamesduff Frolics where he participated in a number of comedy sketches. In his work for charity he traveled to Calcutta to visit Mother Teresa and to years ago to Bombay to continue her work. He had been planning to visit India again this year.
He was manager of PMPA Insurance in Cavan.
He is survived by his parents, Eugene and Annie Leddy; brothers, T.P. and Oliver, and sisters, Mary, New York; Anne, Dublin; Kathy Durkin, Phyl Rehill, Trim and Vera O’Reilly, Killinkere.
His remains were removed to St. Aidan’s Church, Butlersbridge. A guard of honor was provided by members of Butlersbridge, GFC, Drumalee GFC, the Cavan senior team and members of Ballyjamesduff Frolics. The coffin was draped in the Butlersbridge and Cavan jerseys.
The funeral took place on Wednesday following Requiem Mass to Butlersbridge cemetery.