Noel Martin
28 October, 2013
The sad news filtered through the village and surrounding areas of Ballylanders on Saturday the 19th of October of the untimely death of Noel Martin. News that saddened the hearts of people from Roscommon to Limerick and many in between.
Noel was involved in GAA all of his life. Firstly with his native Cootehall in Roscommon. He played with Fr Sheedys of Cloheen for a period between 1977-79 where he won a South Intermediate medal. In 1980 Noel joined Galtee Gaels club where he played for a number of years. He was a member of the Galtee Gaels team in 1984 when they were defeated in a South Final to the hands of Ballylanders. In 1985 they once again took on Ballylanders and a win on the day for Galtee Gaels saw him win a South Medal with the Gaels that year.
Noel became a member of Ballylanders GAA club in the early 1990s. By the mid 90s Noel became heavily involved with the Bord an nOg and over the next decade he was was involved in managerial positions with most of the underage teams, a number of these teams went on to win South Finals at the time. He was joint manager and trainer in 1999 of the u14 team that won the county final, a large number of which went on to win the county senior football final in 2007. These roles suited Noel well as he was patient and encouraging to all the children and in return he earned a respect from them that was second to none.
In 2000 Noel was involved in the setting up of our ladies club and was a very active founding member. He trained the u14 team at the time and progressed onto training of the Junior team. Because of Noel and the other founding members a vibrant ladies club began and today's successful ladies teams are due to the fruits of their labour. It was very poignant that on the day that Noel passed away that the Intermediate Ladies football team reached the highest accolade of the club to date by reaching a Munster Final a fact of which he could be proud.
Noel was an active committee member of our Senior club, he was an avid supporter of all our teams especially the Senior team of which his two sons play. He was always to the front of any activity going on within the club. Anyone who had any dealings with Noel could only describe his as a real gentle giant, he always had a smile on his face and mischief was never far away when the banter began after a game.
Noel's family life began in Cootehall in County Roscommon when he was born to parents Michael and Annie-Mae. He was one of a family of seven, six boys and one girl. At the age of 17 Noel moved to Rockwell from Cootehall, from there Noel moved to Limerick and resided in Anglesboro for a number of years. It was at this time that romance blossomed between himself and His wife Nora nee Coffey. Noel and Nora married in August 1981 and in the coming years gave birth to three children Ann-Marie, Liam and Eoin. In 1987 on the day of the birth of their second child Liam, Noel and Nora purchased a farm in Cullane Ballylanders. They moved to their home in Cullane in 1989 and reside their ever since. Noel and Nora were model parents and in return they have raised their three children to become adults they can be very proud of.
Unfortunately Noel fell ill in 2012 and fought tirelessly until his passing away. His popularity couldn't be questioned as the village of Ballylanders overflowed with mourners for his removal and requiem mass.
With Noel's passing Roscommon has lost a true gentleman, Nora, Ann-Marie, Liam and Eoin a doting husband and father and to Ballylanders GAA club an outstanding clubman and true friend.
Noel Martin Rest in Peace.
.........Ballylanders GAA