DEATH OF ‘SQUIRES’ GANNON REPORTED IN LEINSTER LEADER OF MARCH 1967

 

 

‘SQUIRES’ GANNON DEAD

 

The death occurred shortly before midnight on Monday of Mr. William (“Squires”) Gannon, Tully West, Kildare, one of the old time greats of Kildare football and the first county team captain to be presented with the Sam Maguire Cup, the All-Ireland senior football trophy.

Aged about 65, he was a native of Kildare and first came to prominence in Kildare football when playing as a youth with the old Round Towers team.  His outstanding ability on the field quickly singled him out for county honours and throughout the “golden era” of the All Whites in the middle and late 1920’s, “Squires,” as he was so widely known, was one of the stalwarts of the Kildare sides which brought so many honours to the county.

He took an active part in the fight for national independence.

Another of his interests was music; he was one of the founder-members of the now long lapsed Kildare Pipe Band which achieved considerable success under his guidance.  He was also a founder-member of St. Brigid’s C.Y.M.S., Kildare, and was a trustee of the local St. Brigid’s Park.

In his native district he will be remembered not only as a great footballer, nationalist and civic-spirited figure but as a warm-hearted, generous man whose invariable good humour and self-effacing modesty were outstanding qualities.

He is survived by his wife, five sons and three daughters.  The remains were removed to St. Brigid’s Parish Church, Kildare on Tuesday evening and interment took place on Wednesday.

Naas U.D.C., on Tuesday night, voted sympathy with the family and relatives of Mr. Gannon.