The unexpected passing last autumn of J.P. Guinane cast a gloom over Kilkishen and surrounding countryside.
By Pat O’Brien
J.P. was held in high esteem in Kilkishen and O’Callaghans Mills due to his involvement with many organisations, dating back to the bygone era of the marquees and Muintir na Tíre.
A farmer, block-layer, hurler, singer and historian, that was J.P. all in one. A man with a great memory for dates and events and when called upon his answers were always taken as correct.
J.P. was noted for having a fine singing voice and had a good repertoire of songs. Organisers of singing sessions always sought his company and he never let them down- the bigger the audience the better his performance.
He was a passionate GAA man and could recall great men and deeds of the playing fields all over Ireland. Nearer to home he loved to talk about the matches he saw in the local Hamilton Park and all the drama and excitement around the village and venue when Newmarket-on-Fergus, Sixmilebridge, Clooney/Quin, Broadford and Tulla were participating.
His story about two long serving local referees having only one whistle between them also deserves a mention, this all being in pre-COVID times of course.
J.P. walked tall in the 1990s when local hurlers PJ O’Connell and Ger Moroney experienced All-Ireland glory at the highest level and again in 2013 when his neighbour Patrick Donnellan walked the steps of the Hogan Stand to bring home the Liam McCarthy Cup with clubmate Conor Cooney.
He was present that historic Monday evening when the Tulla Pipers paraded the cup, players, management and backroom team through Kilkishen’s crowded street. Later in Gallagher’s Bar, his rendering of that soul stirring local ballad ‘The Beautiful Vale of Belvoir’ brought the curtain down on a never to be forgotten Kilkishen evening.
As a hurler himself he gave many years to the green and gold as a solid, determined corner back. His hour of glory came in October 1968 when the Mills were crowned Intermediate Champions at the expense of a Jackie O’Gorman led Cratloe fifteen.
Turning the other side of the coin, the pangs of County Final defeats in ’54, ’77, ’86, ’90, ’93 and 2020 leaned heavily on J.P.’s hurling heart. He bemoaned the fact that his close friend Sean Hehir failed so narrowly to land that coveted County Senior medal.
Despite those disappointments few people enjoyed the game of hurling more than the affable J.P. At the time of his passing he was President of the local GAA Club, an honour he so richly deserved.
His home in the townland of Killanena overlooking Clonbrick Lake stands silent now but J.P. Guinane will live long in the minds of all who knew him, especially those who live around the picturesque village of Kilkishen.
