Football Club hold tournament in honour of past member Brendan

CELEBRATING a half century since its founding, Marks Celtic marked the special occasion with the inaugural Brendan Byrne Memorial Cup, named in honour of a past member.

Brendan Byrne was an active social member of the football club and following his death in 2021, his family and the club wanted to do something to recognise his involvement.

“My father-in-law Brendan passed away during Covid, in 2021,” says Will O’Reilly.

“He was always involved, and I’ve been involved for about 10-years now as well, managing my son and his grandson, Kallum’s team.

“There will always be a memory of Brendan going around the place and we wanted to do something to mark his passing in the club.

The late Brendan Byrne

“So we held the inaugural Brendan Byrne Memorial Cup, it’s going to be the first of many, it went really well, I’ve never seen a sideline as packed as the day of the finals.”

Originally from Bohernabreena, Brendan lived in Walkinstown before settling in Rossfield with his wife Francis where they raised their children.

On October 7, 2021, Brendan passed away after a short battle with illness.

Now, nearly two-years on from Brendan’s death, his family and Marks Celtic launched the tournament in his name.

Over three-weeks, Marks Celtic, St Francis, Ratoath Harps and Bohemian FC played six games in the Under 19 tournament before it was decided with a final on June 4.

The teams that participated in the U19 tournament

St Francis ended up coming away with the Brendan Byrne Memorial Cup after a 3-2 win over Marks Celtic in the decider, while Bohs got the better of Ratoath in the third-place playoff.

Brendan’s grandson Kallum currently plays for Marks Celtic’s Under 19s and while they did not lift the inaugural cup, it is in their sightlines for next year.

“They are a great bunch of lads, it was very pleasing to see them putting it up to St Francis, who would be a very good side,” Will explains.

“Their performance levels were unbelievable. It just shows the great development in the club both on and off the pitch.

“St Francis have the cup now but we hope to get it back to Marks Celtic next year.”

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