Two more for Community Centre Wall of Fame

The latest two frames in the Wall of Fame series honouring Kilcullen people who have represented Ireland internationally have arrived at Kilcullen Community Centre, writes Brian Byrne. They are about Nicholas 'Ray Ozzie' Aulsbury and Brendan O'Connell.

The initiative comprises each frame holding a ‘green jersey’ or other item representing Irish international competition, provided by the person or their family, along with a citation and a photograph of them in action in their endeavour.

Prepared by Niamh O’Connor for the centre, the first three displays were installed in February and feature transplant athlete James Nolan, World Ladies Strokeplay Champion Chrissie Byrne and European Ladies Strokeplay Champion Marian Courtney.

Nicholas Aulsbury, who followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather into the Irish Defence Forces, served for 33 years. A keen all-round sportsman, his soccer skills were particularly developed within the service, and he represented Ireland against France in 1997 when the Irish Defence Forces played a French Army side that included professional footballers from the French Division 1 League who were doing their National Service. He donated his international jersey for the series.

Brendan O'Connell, who began canoeing in Kilcullen at the age of eight, represented Ireland in the 1972 Munich Olympics and in the 1976 Games in Montreal. He was manager of the Irish team at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul games and he also served on the Olympic Council of Ireland from 1989 to 1996. He donated an Olympic flag from the Seoul games.

Further frames for the Wall of Fame are being prepared, and Centre manager Enda O’Neill would be very happy to hear of other such Kilcullen people who have worn the national jersey who may not be on his list.

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