A well-known Galway footballer of the fifties, Brendan Glynn, passed away in the city this week.
Brendan Glynn, who had recently celebrated his 80th birthday, was a key figure in Galway football for several years and, after retiring from the game, went on to represent Connacht in tennis.
The son of Jimmy Glynn, Brendan spent his youth playing with Dunmore McHales, winning three county championships with the club before being selected as the goalkeeper for the Galway senior team in 1954. He went on to feature in the Galway team until 1962 when Galway lost the Connacht final to Roscommon on the famous day the crossbar broke in McHale Park. Among his contemporaries on that side were Pat Donnellan, Brian Geraghty, Bosco McDermott, John Donnellan, Enda Colleran, Seán Purcell, Mattie McDonagh, Frank Evers, and Martin Newell.
Although the Galway team did not enjoy much national success during the fifties - Brendan was on the losing side in at least four All Ireland semi-finals - it was the forerunner to Galway’s famous three-in-a-row. He was also one of a rare group of Galway footballers to play in Wembley Stadium.
After retiring from football, Brendan continued his love of sport. A member of the Galway Lawn Tennis Club for the next 50 years, Brendan was a noted tennis and squash player who represented the province on a number of occasions.
Blessed with an effervescent personality, Brendan Glynn ran a successful wholesale confectionary business for many years. Full of laughter and always ready to help a friend, it was his sunny disposition that enlivened the lives of all who knew him. A gentleman and a great character, Brendan will be missed.
To his wife Dympna, children Seamus, Marion, and Ronan, his extended family and his friends, we offer our sincere condolences.
Ar dheis go raibh a ainim.
LM
