Kevin Marren
Over the past one hundred and ten years, a number of great and generous people· have given exceptional and loyal service to our club. They have gone beyond all reasonable bounds of duty to better the quality and standards of the club. One person stands out in this sphere as being a man apart. He is my good friend, Kevin Marren. For the past forty years he has been the principal inspirational figure in our club. Kevin was born in 1933 in Connemara where his late father was stationed as a member of the Gárda Siochána. However, he did not spend much of his infancy outside of Clare as the untimely death of his mother at the age of 26 years meant that both Kay and Fergie returned to their grandaunt, Mrs. McMahon of Ballinacragga in 1935. Kay received his early education in Newmarket and after the Primary Cert, both himself and Fergie cycled off for St. Flannan’s College where their father had booked them as day pupils. However, the two boys had other ideas and they passed the College and went on to Ennis Vocational School where they both enrolled. While attending the Vocational School, the two boys stayed with their aunt, Mrs. Angela Dwane in Clarecastle. Ironically, in view of later events, Kevin’s hurling career began representing the “magpies”! After his Group Cert, he returned to his Uncle Andy, wife Gretta (RIP) and commenced his career as an apprentice carpenter. He continued his studies doing night classes at his Alma Mater, and in 1954 he successfully completed his exam for entrance. to the Woodwork Teacher Training College in Cork. In 1955 he was domiciled in the Donegal Gaeltacht, perfecting his Gaeilge and the result was a qualified teacher. This· placid, humble and honest man was most suitable .for the teaching profession.
1955 – A SIGNIFICANT YEAR
This was the year that the ‘Blues bridged a nineteen-year gap and regained the senior championship. The ’55 campaign was both exciting and enticing for the young Marren and in fact he made a return trip from Donegal to play Sixmilebridge in the quarter final. The county final versus Éire Óg was an incredible experience and the most memorable occasion in his hurling career. Kay’s hurling career was cut short by a number of injuries received from 1958 – ’60. He broke every finger (of his own!) but a damaged nerve was the final agonising injury and in 1960, Key retired from active hurling.
RUNAI PAR EXCELLENCE
In 1961, Kay got involved in the administration of the club and became secretary. This position he held for nine years and his record proves he was the greatest club secretary in Ireland. Along with the late Canon Clune and Miko McMahon, he drafted the first club constitution and set the club up as a highly organised and professional institution that united the whole parish and was the springboard for the huge success of the ’60s and ’70s.
OUT OF RETIREMENT
In 1962, his love for hurling eclipsed his fear of injury and he returned to the playing fields. He captained the junior team to league honours in 1963, ’64 and ’65. However, his second greatest moment came in 1967 when he captained an outstanding Intermediate team that brought the first such title to the club. This achievement brought immense satisfaction to Kay, and he retired permanently. His playing career was now over, but it must be stated that but for his many injuries, he would undoubtedly have won more senior titles.
SUCCESSFUL PERIOD. AS RUNAI
On the playing side of the club, the most successful era was unquestionably the ’63 – ’69 period. Newmarket was producing successful teams at all levels with conveyor belt efficiency. The secretary would have been at the heart of this operation and it is difficult to appreciate the huge amount of work that was involved.