Members of a Tyrone GAA club are in a “profound state of shock” following the sudden death of Brendan Kennedy, a handball player, coach and former women’s football manager.
Mr Kennedy collapsed and died following a handball game at his club, Pomeroy Plunketts, on Friday. He passed away while doing something he loved, the club said.
Hundreds of people paid tribute on social media following the passing of the 54-year-old father of two, a former chair of the Tyrone Handball Committee.
Pomeroy Plunketts said its members “are in a profound state of shock after the sudden passing of our club member Brendan ‘Bing’ Kennedy”.
“It is fair to say that handball was a passion for Bing,” the club said Mr Kennedy, a champion player in his younger days, winning the Ulster titles at U13 doubles and U15 levels in the 1980s. He completed in seven consecutive Ulster finals between 1981 and 1985.
He later served on the club committee as handball representative and and was county chair from 2005-2010.
“During his tenure as chairman, history was made when Bing welcomed the first ever All Ireland Handball Convention to be held within the six counties,” Pomeroy Plunketts said.
“In 2004 Bing was instrumental in helping to establish the ladies football team as an underage coach and went on to manage the senior ladies.”
Mr Kennedy returned to coaching handball after taking a break for a number of years.
“He loved coaching kids and spent so much time developing the girls game. He had a great passion for handball and never missed a senior football match,” the club said.
“It is truly a rare thing in this life to move on from it whilst doing what you love - Bing Kennedy did just that.”
Seamus McCrory, of the Tyrone Handball Committee, paid tribute to Mr Kennedy’s commitment and dedication to the sport as a player and coach over four decades.
“Everyone involved in the Tyrone Handball community is deeply saddened by the death of Bing. As a coach, player and official, he was always someone willing to help in whatever way he could,” Mr McCrory told the We Are Tyrone web site.
“He greatly enjoyed his ability to play handball on a regular basis and was a talented player, winning a number of Ulster and Tyrone titles in his youth.
“As our county chairman he was active and remained supportive of the aims and visions for handball in the county when he stepped down from the role. As a mark of respect to him and his family, we cancelled all activities at the weekend.”
Mr Kennedy is survived by his wife Caroline, son Martin, daughter Fionnuala and two adored grandchildren. Funeral arrangements to follow.
