Barryroe GAA

08 October, 2022

On Sunday October 2nd 2022, Barryroe GAA club lost a legend in our esteemed President, Mr Vincent Sexton. Vincent held the Club Presidency for 24 years, assuming the title from the late Jack Cahalane in 1998.

Vincent was a respected figure throughout his involvement with the GAA Club. He had a powerful voice and when he spoke, he commanded the attention of all those present. Up to 2019, Vincent administered the election of officers at every Club AGM. He also attended the first online AGM in the year of COVID, in 2020, alongside Sheila from her house in Courtmacsherry. He was still able to make his presence known even in a virtual setting. 

Vincent is more famously known for his tenure as Chairperson of the club which he took over in 1974, a position he held for 17 years. This period was the golden era in Barryroe GAA club’s history. Starting in 1979 with the Junior B football West Cork title, this was then followed by four West Cork Junior A hurling titles in 80’s in 1981, 1982, 1985 and 1986. The capturing of the club's first Junior A title in 1981 has always been regarded as a standout memory for all club supporters and players of that era. The proud smile of Vincent in the photo above is clear for all to see when the Flyer Nyhan was lifted by Vincent O’Donovan on that famous day. Vincent O’Donovan was also of course nephew to Molly who reared three generations of Sextons in Lislevane and was a well known and popular host to all customers of Sexton’s establishment.

Sexton’s pubin Lislevane hosted the return of all victorious Barryroe teams where the Flyer Nyhan was filled and passed around to all those present. It also hosted the Liam Mccarthy Cup, Sam Maguire and O’Duffy cup on many an occasion when the All-Ireland winning Cork teams visited the parish with their silverware on show. Tom Cashman can be seen below outside Sexton’s bar in 1986.

The petrol pumps next to Sextons pub in Lislevane was for years the pickup point for all underage players going to matches. Health and Safety was a bit different back then. When Barryroe were short transport, Vincent regularly filled his car to maximum capacity with bodies so that we could field in away games.

Many stories have been shared over the past few days of how Vincent and Paddy Murphy soldiered together to West Cork board meetings in Dunmanway for years on end, regularly accompanied in the back seat by Joe O’Leary and Frankie Drake. Paddy and Vincent would take their seats at the meeting whilst Joe and Frank would make the occasional diversion to the Doheny’s Pavilion bar only to be called upon by Vincent when needed for voting. These trips were something of legend with the habitual stop in Clon on the way home for chips in the Rossa Grill. Paddy and Vincent formed a formidable friendship through the GAA and of course being next-door neighbours. Two men incredibly proud of their club, their parish and of course their beloved village in Lislevane

Our Vice-Chairperson and great friend of Vincent, Sean de Barra, gave a fitting graveside oration on Vincent’s contribution to the club and the parish in general at the burial on Wednesday. Sean drew reference to the strong relationship between the GAA club and the Agricultural Show committee down through the years. This is without doubt down to Vincent’s binding of those societies in his tenure as Chairperson of both organisations. The Show continues to be a major spectacle for the parish and county in the Annual calendar and no doubt will continue to be hosted in the GAA grounds for years to come.

Every GAA Officer with a tenure as long as Vincent’s has an understanding partner by their side and Vincent’s wife Ann is no exception. Vincent and Ann attended so many matches together and have been known to collect every newspaper cutting involving Barryroe GAA down through the years. I have no doubt Vincent will be dearly missed by Ann. Together, they have been at the core of so many happy memories for the people of Barryroe and I hope that these memories will bring solace to any dark evenings in the years ahead.

In January 2020, Barryroe GAA club honoured Vincent Sexton with the first Honorary Lifetime membership, in the club’s history, presented on the night by Alan Browne. This was a fitting endorsement of Vincent’s dedication and contribution to Barryroe GAA club down through the years and a proud moment for the Sexton family (pictured below).  

Vincent leaves behind him a legacy of generosity, integrity and selfless contribution to his parish. I have no doubt he has already acquainted himself with our departed GAA relatives and friends up high and will be keeping an eye on all happenings at the club in futur eyears. Whilst he is no longer with us, his presence will be felt for years to come.  

Rest easy Vincent. You will be missed. 

Ar dheis Dhe go raibh a anam. Ni bheidh a leitheid aris ann.

Risteaird O Murchu

Runai Barra Rua