Kildare GAA great and Clane stalwart to be laid to rest today

Des Marron, who passed away at the great age of 91, will be laid to rest today. 

Des was a proud Clane and Kildare man who was 'Lord Mayor' of the town from 1996.

Removal takes place from his residence on Friday morning at 11:30am to arrive at St. Patrick's and St. Brigid's Church, Clane for 12 noon Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Mainham Cemetery, Clane. 

Anything that was going on in Clane one could be assured that Dessie Marron was involved in it, regardless of what it was, he was front and centre.

As a footballer he had the distinction of winning a senior county title with his club in 1963, when the club in all-white defeated Round Towers; he played in two other senior finals losing to Towers in 1959 and in 1964 to Raheens.

A goalkeeper, and a very good one at that, Dessie played for Kildare from 1955 up to 1964.

The much loved and liked Dessie Marron wore the no. 1 shirt of Kildare in that famous Leinster Senior Football final of 1956 defeating Wexford in the decider 2-11 to 1-8; Ned Treacy and Paddy O'Loughlin getting the goals with the great Seamie Harrison raising seven white flags that day.

When you consider that Kildare had not won a Leinster senior title since 1935 and even more astonishing, did not win another until 1998, then the achievement of that team of 1956 was even more remarkable.

Son of a garda sergeant, Pater Marron, the father and son combination opened a pharmacy in the then village around 1957 and it is still operating to this day, Dessie having worked in it until recently.

Among his interests were history, politics, music, singing and drama and one could always be assured of getting a few songs from Dessie whenever the occasion arose and those occasions arose frequently; even on his 90th birthday he gave one of his brilliant renditions of the famous Neil Diamond song Sweet Caroline.

Dessie Marron was pre-deceased by his wife Kathleen, and is survived by seven children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and a large wider family.

May he Rest In Peace.

READ NEXT: Great news for Kildare people with nearly 100 new homes get green light in commuter town.