Community Games has been another aspect, as Seamus was Development Officer for Co Down, as well as being appointed to the National Executive. He coached the Glenn ladies football squad, which won the Ulster Championship, and reached the All-Ireland Final. One year, he refereed both the boys and girls� AlI-Ireland Finals.

Scor competitions have always attracted great interest, with the Glenn Quiz team, consisting of Aidan Conlon, Nuala Murphy and Francie Reavey, reaching the All-Ireland Final in Galway. Indeed, in 1986, the Glenn club won Co Down titles in eight sections. One year, Seamus Kennedy was competing in the Solo Singing section when he forgot the words. The song was �The Boys from the County Armagh!�

Seamus Kennedy joined the cast, along with his wife, Hugh McConville, Seamus McCartan, Margaret McParland, Pat James O�Hare, Carmel Murtagh and Lizzie Byrne. The �20 raised secured the set of jerseys.

Charlie Smyth, who produced Variety Act entries for Scor, which reached the All-Ireland Final, three years in a row, then established the Glenn Drama Society. Among the plays, which he directed and often acted in, were popular comedies like �Don�t Tell the Wife,� �Second Honeymoon,� and �The Proposal.�

In one play, Seamus Kennedy had the role of a middle-aged bachelor, �doing a line� with a spinster. As they were sitting together in the living-room, the fireplace started to topple forward. Seamus instantly got up and pushed it back. He recalled advice given by the redoubtable Charlie Smyth: �When on stage, always think on your feet. Act naturally.�

Of course, Charlie has been deeply involved in the local entertainment scene for many years, with plays, variety shows and pantomimes. Indeed, the Newry and Mourne Arts Award, presented to the Youth Club, was for a pantomime, which Charlie produced.

This versatile showman and ex council chairman has two daughter, Pauline, whose husband is Patrick McCartan of �Editions� on Hill Street, Newry; Patricia, who is employed by LEDU, and Deirdre, on the staff of �Editions.� Elder son, Martin is a restaurant manger, while Kieran is on the staff of a construction company.

Incidentally, the top award for a GAA publication, the McNamee trophy, was presented to the Glenn John Martin GFC for the impressive Golden Jubilee magazine. The editor was Philip O�Hare, former club player and proprietor of a trophy company, based at Margaret Street in Newry.

Tragedies have affected the local community, as when Garret Doran lost his life while transporting the Grant brothers to a match at Rostrevor. John Grant, a talented player, later died of his injuries. A memorial trophy has since been presented to the �Minor Player of the Year.�

The Conlon family not only suffered the early death of their father, Peter, principal of Barr School. But also their uncle, Richard, captain of the Clann na Gael side in Dublin, died of pneumonia, a week after being carried shoulder-high, following victory in the championship. And Aidan�s son, Peter, a promising player, was killed in a road accident.

Meanwhile, plans are in the pipeline for a new Sports Hall and all-weather pitch at this historic and progressive parish. And, even if young people now face pressures, challenges and distractions, which their forbears in the 50�s, 60�s and 70�s did not encounter, the community and family tradition is as strong as ever. Which must give hope for the future!

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