There was widespread regret in Cavan GAA circles at the passing of Shane Dempsey. Shane, who was a native of Rockcorry, Co Monaghan, lived most of his life in Cavan and he made a valuable contribution to the GAA at many different levels. Drumalee was his adopted club and he served that club in various administrative roles including the position of chairman which he held in the early 2000s.
Shane made a major contribution to Cavan Co Board through some of its subcommittees, most noticeable the Breffni Park Development Committee. He was secretary of that committee during the mid-1970s and again from 1987 until 1999. At the end of 1999 he moved to the position of chairman serving for a three year period. During his officerships he was involved in many of the development projects which helped to turn the Park into the fabulous stadium that it is today. Shane also served as an officer of Cavan County Board when he was elected as Development officer in 1990, a position he held until the end of 1994. He was also chairman of the Cavan GAA Supporters’ club in its early years and he played a key role in the establishment of the club which raised much needed finance for the county teams.
In addition to his day job as manager of Value Centre, Cash & Carry, initially located in Church Street and later on Dublin Road, Shane was perhaps best known to countless Cavan GAA supporters for stewarding and helping out at the old top office in Breffni Park and later Kingspan Breffni Park. Here on match days Shane provided back up and much light-hearted banter along with his great friend Cisteoir Tom Boylan and his team as they manned the ticket office, kept a close eye on the finances and ensured comfortable access and egress for the many patrons attending.
Shane was predeceased by his wife Dora and Cavan County Board offers its sincere sympathies to his family; sons Pauric and Adrian, daughters Angela and Siobhán, their families, the extended Dempsey and McCaffrey families and the Drumalee club. Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a anam.
By Susan Fri 11th Jun
