On the evening of Monday 20th May 1957 the Clonduff senior team led by their captain Brian McGreevy took to the field in Saval to play Carrickcruppen in a tournament game following victory in the County Feis Sevens the previous day.
Brian was working in Belfast at the time and got a lift home that evening for the game. Just before half time a high ball, kicked from the Clonduff defence towards Brian appeared to be going well above his reach. He ran backwards keeping his eye on the ball and then jumped to catch the ball. Tragically he seemed to overbalance and fell backwards hitting the ground hard. He was pronounced dead at the scene. This tragedy was witnessed by his brother Seamus who was playing alongside him, his brother Gerald who was a spectator and his Clonduff teammates.
The ‘Frontier Sentinel’ reported “Brian was a splendid leader and was looked up to for his personal ability on the field and his capacity to draw out the best in the other players.” Brian was just 22 years old. It was a terrible tragedy for the McGreevy family coming just 4 weeks after the death of their father James.
Brian was laid to rest in Ballymaghery Cemetery just above Clonduff Park.
Clonduff GAC will host the 20th annual Brian McGreevy Memorial Tournament on Saturday 14th June 2025!
A Chara
On behalf of our Chairman Flynn, and on behalf of our Committee and all at Carrickcruppen GAA, Armagh, I would like to extend our best wishes and fraternal support to all at Clonduff GAA, as the club remembers the late Club Captain Brian McGreevy who tragically lost his life whilst playing against a Carrickcruppen team in Saval some 50 years ago.
We are honoured to join with you in remembering Brian. Many of our club members still recall the events of that evening 50 years ago and still relive the shock of the accident which lead to Brian’s death. We commend you for the solidarity and respect your club is showing by organising events in Brian’s memory and we wish you success in your endeavours.
Please convey our sympathies to Brian’s family, friends and club colleagues and assure them that in Carrickcruppen he is remembered as a fellow sporting Gael who passed away playing the Gaelic sports which we all love.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.
Sean Treanor
Adminnistrator Carrickcruppen GAA
