Brendan Wade Remembered

Brendan Wade Remembered

By John Cashman

Brendan Wade RIP

Brendan Wade “The Wader” RIP

Brendan Wade was without doubt a Castlemartyr legend – a GAA fanatic, who quite simply loved his club and everything about our native games.

On Saturday, Brendan’s memory was again brought to the fore when members of his family gathered at Castlemartyr GAA headquarters Paddy Walsh Memorial Park for a photo call next to the seat, in his honour. Present were Brendan’s sisters Geraldine, Lora, Oonagh, Rose and Martina along with our club president Christy O’Sullivan and Elaine Bowens and John Cashman from our PRO committee. This assembly took place just over two years after the passing of Brendan, whose loss to family and friends left a great void.

Geraldine, Lora, Oonagh, Rose and Martina

As a follower of GAA, Brendan had few equals. He was the original memory man, the phone a friend guy, who had every statistic, every fact, every score and amazingly every team line up in his very own time tunnel.. Discussions and debates may take place, which may eventually lead to a strong difference of opinion, but one always knew Brendan would settle any queries – he had the answer and invariably his answer was always the right one. The man had an encyclopedic mind and everyone knew Brendan was the ultra reliable reference point. He backed up all his knowledge with a huge collection of match programmes, paper cuttings and scrapbooks.

Brendan loved his match days away – following Cork teams, cheering them to the glory and savouring the celebration afterwards, where he was the life and soul of many a party. He was a very proud Castlemartyr and Cork man and always defended the red jersey of club and county in conversation at home and away..

The Wade Family with Christy, Castlemartyr President & John Cashman, PRO.

It’s appropriate that the seat which bears his name, presented to the club by his family, is now located in a prime vantage point looking on to Castlemartyr’s superb playing surface. Brendan would be very proud of the club’s progress on and off the field and no doubt is still looking down from his vantage point in the heavens cheering on the reds.

Brendan may have departed this life, but he will also always have a seat of honour in a place he had a lifetime affinity with and enjoyed so many matches in the company of so many of his great friends. There was after all only one Brendan Wade – the memory of “the Wader” will always live on! Rest in peace Brendan.

By Assistant Pro Sat 11th Mar