Those at Naomh Éanna and throughout the County will have been taken aback to hear of the sad and sudden passing of Eamonn Prenter at the age of 61. At the very heart of Naomh Éanna, his mother Meg is President of the Club and his three brothers Kieran, Brendan and Fergal plus sisters Sinead and Maeve all represented the club in Football, Hurling and Camogie.

Eamonn was instrumental as a player with an emerging Naomh Éanna team in the 1980’s winning football and hurling league titles in Centenary year 1984. In the hurling playoff against Rasharkin, he scored 5 points from play as a skilful half forward. But it was in football that he was best known as he helped Naomh Éanna reach Division 1 status.

Eamonn made his senior county debut on the Antrim senior football team in 1982, while still a schoolboy at St Malachy’s, playing alongside one of his teachers Pat Kane. Eamonn was a key player on the Antrim minor football team that won the Ulster championship in 1982, before falling to Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final. Eamonn also played at midfield in the Under 21 Ulster final against Down in 1984. Eamonn represented both the University of Ulster and QUB in the Sigerson Cup and became a mainstay of the Antrim senior football team in the 1980’s, renowned for his accurate free taking.

In his work he was a highly regarded Town Planner and worked for major firms in London and Dublin. While in the English capital he represented London and scored their first ever point against Waterford when they entered Division 4 of the National Football League.

Moving to Dublin he played for St Vincents. Eamonn was known as a big gentleman throughout Ireland, he ended his GAA career with his hometown club, driving long distances from all over Ireland to pull on the black and amber jersey once again and finally winning another league title.

After his playing days, Eamonn was as keen to promote and energise the county in terms of capital development as he was when playing and was one of the original founders of Club Aontroma in 2006, serving as Chairman for a number of years. With his professional background and expertise in planning Eamonn was also one of visionaries who pioneered Dunsilly as a central hub for the County, handing over a cheque for £50,000 on behalf of Club Aontroma at the cutting of the first sod by then GAA President Nicky Brennan on 9th May 2008.

Ar a dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal Ghaelach. Suaimhneas siorai air.