No Mohicans, Highlights or Fancy Yellow Boots...
Just Love forthe Game
Maurice Kenneally was an ordinary family man, married for 51 years with three daughters. Although ordinary, he was a gentleman and often described as 'one of a kind' or a 'unique man'. With many valuable qualities it comes as no surprise that he was well-known and loved by many around his hometown of Youghal. I was lucky to know Maurice as my grandfather. He was also my friend and through my teenage life especially, when I need someone to listen to me moan and groan he was there.
Maurice was a hardworking man and never took anything for granted. I often heard him say how material possessions never meant anything to him but so long as he had a healthy and happy family anything else was just a bonus.
Married to Sheila known for her 'banter' and 'craic' it may seem ironic that Maurice himself was a quiet man but not so quiet when it came to his beloved team of Liverpool F.C to which he was a dedicated follower all he's life even through the teams down falls.
Maurice born in 1938 in Ireland, just before the beginning of World War 2. He had witnessed many historic events and thankfully more positive than negative. But through all of those the only bit of history he ever spoke of had the word 'football' somewhere in the sentence.
Not only was he a massive supporter of the famous game but he was also a player for one of Youghal’s first football teams and co-founder. I remember hearing stories of how at aged 15 he and the team would meet in Frogmore almost every day and just kick a ball to one another in hail, rain and snow. For over 25 years he wore the No. 10 jersey proudly for the club and was quoted as 'the most capped player in the history of Youghal'. He used to often say those were some of his happiest days and in each photo of him playing on the pitch you could see by his face it was where he was in his element.
When looking through old books for information about the club I came across a full page dedicated to my grandfather Maurice Kenneally in the 25th Anniversary Book of Youghal Football Club it described his time playing for the team. It was then I remembered speaking to him about the book and being the gentleman he was I remember him mentioning how he was upset that none of the others 'that had done exactly what he had' never got mentioned.
Nonetheless it speaks of my granddad very highly and just as he deserved saying 'not only was he the longest serving player but also one of the most popular' and a very 'skilful player'. Maurice was always known for letting the 'ball do the work'
My grandmother often spoke of how she would beg him to give up the game and often threw his football boots in the bin in the hope that they would stay there but they never did until he retired after 40 years of playing. But he couldn't stop there, he then began to start coaching with his great pal and they both passed on their considerable knowledge of the game. The younger players starting in any team with Maurice only ever heard words of encouragement and some wise advice. They worked tirelessly for the club between arranging transport, cutting the grass on the pitch so it would be suitable to play on and getting up every Sunday to prepare the pitch for play.
Many of my childhood memories include my grandfather, whether collecting me from school or bringing me for a stroll it my pram, he was there.
Every Christmas when shopping for presents, when my grandfather's name came to mind, so did the word football and not long after came Liverpool. Every year without fail we bought him either a Liverpool jacket, jumper, book etc. Every year on Christmas Day without fail he would dress up as Santa for my younger sisters, and at the end of the night when he had one or two whiskeys in his system, he would sing one of his favourites 'You'll Never Walk Alone' Liverpool F.Cs club anthem.
I know I haven't told you about a man that time travelled or landed on the moon but in life its small things like kicking a ball with your pals and starting a club up from scratch that make a big difference to a small town like Youghal. And in the coastal town of Youghal the name Maurice Kenneally will always be remembered.
Maurice with his daughter Catherine and goal keeper Ray Clemence (Liverpool)