It is with deep regret and sadness that we must inform you of the death of our company secretary and former director Derek Brennan.
Derek was a towering figure in the story of our organisation, and indeed in the wider world of Irish cricket. He was a man of the utmost integrity, a loyal and true friend, and his organisational skills were extraordinary
Two decades ago he played the pivotal role, with help from a few others, in the establishment of LTI as a branch of The Lord’s Taverners in London. In 2009 he oversaw the formation of LTI as a company under Irish law. From day one until his untimely death Derek was the driving force overseeing the administration of LTI, which he did with enthusiasm and immense competence.
He was the brains and the hands behind our annual Christmas lunch and he worked tirelessly to ensure its success every year. Through his efforts we have been able to raise hundreds of thousands of euro and distribute them to young people who would otherwise be denied a sporting chance.
It was only at our last meeting that he stepped down from the Events Committee which organises this lunch, and we are sorry he got such a short time free of burdensome responsibilities. We are also bereft of his wise counsel and ability to come up with solutions to any problem.
Derek played cricket for many years for CYM (now Terenure) as a canny bowler and threw himself into the administrative side of the ambitious club. He was part of the team that persuaded the Leinster Cricket Union to admit CY to its senior ranks and he worked tirelessly in many roles for the club over the years.
His work on the Leinster Branch was rewarded with Presidency of the Leinster Cricket Union in 1996-97. He was appointed to the Irish Cricket Union committee and became Chairman in 2004. In his period at the helm he made great changes, including the appointment of the ICU’s first chief executive, a move he described as ‘an historic step forward’ for the Union.
After the ICU, he focused on LTI and threw himself into getting the organisation going and all its activities.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Therese, their children Ken, Lorraine and Nora, and their grandchildren.
A fuller appreciation will be printed in our next edition of Taverner’s Tales.
Gerard Siggins, President
Paul Farrell, Chairman
