100 years young
Newcastle Bowling Club president Eamon Lennon shows no signs of slowing down as he reaches milestone birthday
THERE aren’t many 100-year-olds with a full driving licence, a 15 handicap in golf and a schedule that often includes three bowls matches in a week.
Then again there’s not many 100-year-olds like Eamon Lennon.
Born on the 9th of July 1924, the Aughlisnafin man is as active as ever, with most of his days spent on the golf course or the bowling green.
A member of Newcastle Bowling Club, Eamon plays for the Veterans, Midweek and Saturday teams at Castle Park and it’s not unheard of for him to turn out for all three in one week.
In fact, he recently played three days in a row, even finding time to pick up his golf clubs and work on that 15 handicap in between times.
Eamon grew up in Aughlisnafin, working in a series of jobs on building sites and farms. He was a member of Aughlisnafin GAC, playing as a Gaelic football and hurling back. Reminiscing on his years with the ‘Fin, Eamonn still remembers fondly fierce battles with Kilclief and Ballyholland.
He also enjoyed ten pin bowling, eventually transitioning to lawn bowls and joining Newcastle BC as a teenager.
The Newcastle BC president lived in Huddersfield, England, for five years and Kilmarnock in Scotland for four, before moving to New York to work as a painter and decorator, amongst other jobs.
A father to nine kids, a stepfather to four, with 11 grandchildren and seven step-grandchildren (he’s also a great-grandfather), Eamon stayed in the States for 27 years, returning home to County Down in 1986 and re-joining his beloved bowls club.
The centenarian’s crowning moment on the green came last year when, at the age of 99, he lifted the IBA Irish Junior Cup as part of the Newcastle side that defeated Balmoral in the final.
He described lifting the trophy as “a very special moment” and the club believe he’s the oldest player ever to win a national bowls title.
The Aughlisnafin native was named Newcastle’s club president at the start of this year and he hasn’t ruled out crowning his presidency with another piece of silverware before the end of this season, saying “I hope we can (win another trophy), you never know in bowls”.
Newcastle club members Aidan McHugh and John Kelly said Eamon is loved by everyone at Castle Park.
“Eamon is well loved by everybody. He’s still going strong at his age.
“When I joined the club five years ago, I was astonished by how good of a bowler he was despite his age. He’s so keen and he’s never out of the clubhouse. He’s still bowling very well too,” Aidan explained.
John said: “He loves to share his experience if you want it. He doesn’t get himself too excited, if he throws a good bowl, he throws a good bowl, if he throws a bad bowl, he throws a bad bowl.
“If you ask him for any advice, he’ll give you any advice he can. Every member of the club is so proud of him.”
Club secretary Damian Scarlett said whenever visiting teams come to Castle Park, opposition players are usually in disbelief at Eamon’s age.
“We always make a point of saying, ‘see that guy over there, he’s nearly 100.’
“Most of the time they don’t believe it, they think we’re having them on!”
He went on to describe his club president as “an inspiration” to all the club members.
“He’s a massive influence on all of us. When we see him out there playing, whether it be in practice or in games, it’s inspirational.
“There’s not too many people who are going to live to 100 years old and still be as active as he is.
“It’s amazing to see and he truly is our inspiration.”
Club captain Dick Keag, who is one of the longest serving players at Castle Park alongside Eamon, dubbed him Newcastle’s “quiet man”.
“He’s the quiet man of the club and he’s never let us down over the years. He’s a great team player and will always play when asked.
“People 30 years younger than him couldn’t do what he does, he’s just amazing.”
Newcastle chairman Gary Glavin said the newly turned 100-year-old is a “beacon on and off the green”.
“Eamon has been, and remains, a stalwart at the club.
“His career spans generations, having played alongside my father, a privilege I now get to share.
“He’s been a beacon to us all, both on and off the green, showing us what you can get out of life if you are willing to have the right attitude, step up and put the effort in.
“On behalf of all across the bowling community, and especially his friends here at Newcastle Bowling Club, I want to congratulate Eamon on his 100th birthday and thank him for everything he contributes to the club.”
When asked what keeps him so energetic, Eamon joked, “a young wife.”
Geraldine, 27 years Eamon’s junior at the age of 73, has been by his side ever since they locked eyes at what was then McElroy’s pub, just outside Castlewellan, 34 years ago.
The couple have been married for 30 years, with Castlewellan native Geraldine admitting it was “love at first sight” when she first met her husband.
“He’s very quiet and easy going and just a great person to be with,” Geraldine said.
Eamon celebrated his milestone yesterday with friends at Base Coffee after being surprised on Saturday night by some of his children and other family members who travelled from America to join him for a birthday tipple at Maginn’s Bar.