Legendary Kilkenny coach, mentor and educator laid to rest tomorrow
THE widely respected and hugely popular school principal who led a Kilkenny minor team to an All-Ireland title is to be laid to rest tomorrow.
Br Séamus Damien Brennan (59) who was Principal of Coláiste Éamann Rís, Callan passed away in St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin yesterday after battling an illness. He was the last remaining teaching brother in Ireland.
Br Damien managed the 2003 Kilkenny All-Ireland Minor winning team, which contained some of the players that backboned the great Kilkenny team of the next decade. He was regarded by many, including Jackie Tyrell, Henry Shefflin and D.J Carey, as a great mentor who had a huge impact on their careers.
Br Damien, who was originally from Ballickmoyler in County Laois, is survived by his sisters Bridie, Margaret, Catherine and Bernie, brothers Liam and Séan, and his Aunt Teresa.
He will repose in Edmund Rice Memorial Chapel, Callan today, concluding with Rosary and Evening Prayer at 7.30pm.
His removal will take place tomorrow morning to The Church of the Assumption, Callan, arriving for Requiem Mass at 11am. Burial afterwards in the Christian Brothers’ Community Plot, Kilbride Cemetery, Callan.
