Community Activism / Kevin Feeley, Athy and Kildare County Footballer

I noticed her as I parked my car in the car park opposite Athy’s railway station. She was walking through the car park holding a large plastic bag and a picker with which she picked up papers and refuse. I was intrigued as I knew her very well and she was not known to be employed by the local municipal authority. She told me that she walks around the People’s Park and the car park early every morning picking up refuse which she bags and leaves for a Council workman to take away. I was humbled to think that an old age pensioner would devote so much of her time and energy for the benefit of the local community, without seeking recognition or acknowledgement of her daily good deed. Her contribution to the local community dwarfs anything I have come across in recent years. There are several local volunteers who over the years have made a contribution to the betterment of community life here in Athy. Their work by and large goes unrecognised, although I recall the Municipal Council some years ago holding a presentation night for persons who have made a significant contribution to the local community. During my time as Chairman of the Urban District Council the Council adopted my proposal to make an annual ‘Person of the Year Award’. Recipients of that reward included photographer John Minihan and Sr. Consilio, founder of the Cuan Mhuire organisation. The latter award was particularly relevant because of previous criticism of Sr. Consilio and Cuan Mhuire by some councillors who claimed that the local alcoholic treatment centre was detrimental to the town of Athy. The person who works on her own to keep the People’s Park safe for use by the public is just one of several volunteers working in the town for the common good. The Tidy Towns Committee immediately come to mind. I have written in a previous Eye of their good work, as well as of the work of the many club officials and committee members who have helped create a great sporting tradition for the town. The Men’s Shed, the Women’s Shed and the multiplicity of residents’ associations throughout the town help to create and maintain a community spirit in Athy which is second to none. In a lot of ways, the people of Athy are way ahead of the local government officials and public representatives who make up the County Council and the Municipal District Council. As we await the completion of the Outer Relief Road I was amused to read an extract from the Urban District Council minute book of December 1985 which read: ‘the County Engineer indicated to the members of Athy U.D.C. that it was expected to commence building of the Inner Relief Road in 1986.’ Our town’s history is littered with forgettable events, but also those memorable occasions which enhance our memories of the past. The Inner Relief Road was one such forgettable non-event, but on Sunday I enjoyed a memorable moment or two while watching the Kildare Roscommon football match. I had travelled from Connemara late that morning and arrived home just in time to watch the last 15 minutes or so of the game. With one minute of extra time left Kevin Feeley’s wonderful overhead catch of the football brought an opportunity to kick a winning score. His athleticism and superb fielding were reminiscent of the great Kerry footballer Mick O’Connell. I was privileged to watch the man from Valentia Island play several times in Croke Park. He was one of the greatest Gaelic footballers of all time and when watching Kevin Feeley in that last passage of play I was reminded of the great Kerryman. The then successful kick from the hand for a point from a very difficult angle was another moment of greatness by a Kildare player. I was very proud of the Athy club player and county player who within a minute turned around the game to give the shortgrass county a long sought after victory. What was to follow afterwards was a very impressive post-match interview with Kevin Feeley. I had not previously come across a studio interview between a player just off the pitch and the television’s football panel. If the young player’s performance on the pitch was impressive, his extended post-match interview was superb. Well done to Kildare senior team, and especially Kevin Feeley for a wonderful display both on and off the pitch. He too was a volunteer. As for as the female volunteer of pensionable age, well done and thank you for your work on behalf of the local community.