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EMYVALE

Sean Hendry

I received the following story from Packie Hughes, via Paddy Murphy. I have been looking forward to it for some time as Sean Hendry is forever in the minds of the Emyvale footballers of my generation. He was the footballer we, as young lads, looked up to, in more ways than one as he had a great height and straight as a rush. He had a mighty catch of the high ball and a massive kick. He had strength and skill and we were honoured to go behind the goals during practice to fetch the balls as he drove them miles over the crossbar. My appreciation to Paddy and Packie for this item.

Sean Hendry, a native of Emyvale, Co. Monaghan, played his first competitive football with neighbours, Scotstown, winning an U16 championship medal in 1948 and a Minor Championship medal in 1949.

However he returned to Emyvale, who now had regrouped following a few yearsd in the doldrums, in 1950. Still only an eighteen year old, and now playing his third consecutive year at Minor football level, he was instrumental in securing for his native Emyvale, their first and only Minor Championship success.

Sean played for Monaghan County Minor team of the 1948 – 1950, also making his debut for the Senior county tram in 1950, and from there on was a regular at midfield until he emigrated in 1958.

Sean worked in the Insurance business covering most of the Monaghan region, where he was the automatic choice on the Insurance team that competed in an All-Ireland inter-firms competition, capturing three All-Ireland medals in 1954, 1955 and 1957. He was awarded Man-of-the-Match in the 1954 final.

There were few laurels with the home club, apart from a Ward Cup medal in 1955 and a Coughlan Cup medal in 1956 and 1957, numerous medals in the local cross-border tournaments, which were frequent in the fifties.

In 1958, Emyvale’s loss was London’s gain and it was not very long till he donned a Sean McDermott’s jersey. Honours were few with the Seans and in 1961 he joined the St. Vincent’s Club, winning a Championship medal in 1961 and League medal in 1962.

In 1964 he transferred to Round Towers, who were experiencing perhaps the greatest moments in their history - winning the Championship in the Tipperary Cup in 1964 and going on to win the championship of Britain in 1965.

Sean returned to his former club, St. Vincents, in 1966, winning another Tipperary Cup medal, but drew a close to his football career in 1968.

In a county career that spanned close to 18 years with both Monaghan and London, although achieving no major honours, having played for London in the All-Ireland Junior Football Championship against Dublin in 1960, and versus Meath in 1962 and Kerry in 1967. He holds three Provincial Championship medals and has been inducted into Round Towers Hall of Fame.

Sean, now in his twilight years, still attends the occasional game in Ruislip and is still very committed to Irish Culture. He enjoys watching the live games in Tony’s Bar’ in Willesden, especially his native Monaghan on their rare T V appearances - now quite content with his pint …. of orange -- different days for Sean Hendry.

Sean Hendry is second from left, pictuted recently as he watched a football game in London. On the extreme left is Paddy Murphy, Oriel Park, another Emyvale great.

We would like to send Sean the best wishes of the Emyvale community and just to say that we have great memories of you.