RIP: Longford and Ballymahon GAA mourns sad passing of 1960s goalkeeping star John Heneghan

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A pall of sadness rests over Longford and Ballymahon GAA this weekend following news of the death of county 1960s goalkeeping star John Heneghan. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

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John, of The Clover, Creevaghmore, Ballymahon, passed to his eternal reward peacefully, surrounded by his heartbroken family, in Mullingar Regional Hospital on Friday, January 30, 2026. 

His death is particularly poignant since it occurred just twenty-five days after his wife Mary (née Rhatigan) passed away. A lovely couple, they were well known and highly respected by everyone in Ballymahon and beyond.

A goalkeeper of renown, John won a National Football League medal in 1966 and he also guarding the net in 1968 when Longford won their only ever Leinster Senior Football Championship title.

Longford defeated Laois by 3-9 to 1-4 in the Leinster Final on Sunday, July 21, 1968 at Croke Park and in the earlier rounds they dispatched with the challenge of Dublin (1-12 to 0-12, June 2 in O’Connor Park, Tullamore) and reigning All-Ireland champions Meath (0-12 to 0-7, July 7 in Cusack Park, Mullingar).

Longford won the NFL title in 1966 and testament to their standing as one of the greatest teams of that era, five of the side represented Leinster on Railway Cup duty in ’68 – Larry Gillen, John Donlon, Jimmy Hannify, Sean Donnelly & Brendan Barden. While in ‘69, the late John was one of six Longford men on the Leinster squad - Seamus Flynn (who’d the honour of captaining the team), along with Brendan Barden, Jimmy Hannify, Seán Donnelly and Jackie Devine. 

Unfortunately, Longford’s heroic bid to reach the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final in ‘68 was shattered by Kerry on Sunday, August 4 before an attendance of 34,063 in Croke Park as they lost out by 2-11 to  2-13. 

The winner of an O’Byrne Cup medal in 1965, John’s place among the pantheon of Longford legends was cemented in 2000 when he was chosen as goalkeeper on the Longford Leader / Longford GAA Gaelic Football 'Team of the Millennium'. 

He was an ever-present with his club Ballymahon and in 1986, John served as a Longford senior selector as part of a management team headed up by John Murphy. 

Away from the playing pitch, many people knew John through his work at Greene & Heneghan Tyres, a landmark business situated for many years on the Market Square in Longford town. 

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You were always assured of courtesy and professionalism when you went to John for your tyre repairs or new replacements, and with John and another legendary Longford GAA figure, John Greene, running the show, Gaelic football was never far from the top of the agenda at all times. 

Predeceased by his parents John and Bridget, brother Patsy and sister Mish, the late John will now be reunited with his beloved wife Mary.

He will be sadly missed and forever remembered with love by his family, his cherished children Stephen, Lynda, David, Joanne, Karen and Emma, sons-in-law Hugh Quaine and Declan O'Neill, daughter-in-law Annamaire, his adored grandchildren Seán, Erin, Robyn, Rían, Evan, Elliot, Ryan, Evie, Finn, Cara, Senan, Saibh, Naoise and Donagh, brothers Michael and Declan (Tipperary), sisters-in-law, nephews,nieces, relatives and his wonderful neighbours and friends.

The late John Heneghan will repose on Monday, February 2 in St Matthew's Church, Ballymahon from 6pm until 8pm. Removal from his home takes place on Tuesday, February 3 to arrive at St Matthew's Church for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Following Mass, John will be laid to rest in the family plot in Shrule Cemetery. Fresh flowers only please. Family home private please. 

May he Rest in Peace.