Mount Sion stalwart Stephen Greene dies aged 81

There was an outpouring of great sadness, emotion and memories in Mount Sion and Waterford hurling circles when the word came through on Friday last of the death of former club and county star Stephen Greene in Cork following a brief illness, at the age of 81.

Sons of Mount Sion icon Paddy Greene, Stephen and his younger brother Jim were imbued in the Mount Sion tradition. Living in Mount Sion Avenue, Stephen honed his hurling skills with the Morrissons Road street team in the Juvenile Leagues and in Mount Sion C.B.S. before commencing a club career that was to span twenty seven years with the winning of the first ever U-16 title in 1960 as a wing back and ending as a goalkeeper at forty two years of age in 1986 having captained his club to the senior title and receiving the accolade of Waterford Hurler of the Year.

Following the winning of the minor title in 1962 Stephen graduated to the senior panel the following year, winning the first of his 3 in a row senior medals the third of which saw him transferring to the forward line where he emerged as a prolific goal scorer, going on to win four further senior county medals into the 1970’s in which period he was a regular on county teams and also came to the notice of the Munster selectors for the Railway Cup.

Stephen took a step back from hurling following the defeat by Dunhill in the county final of 1978. The tragic death of his great friend Tony Forristal in 1981 saw Frankie Walsh stepping into the breach as senior hurling manager. Frankie found himself without an experienced goalie, and Stephen was asked to help out.

Stephen would never turn down such a request, and in the first round of the championship, he turned in a brilliant performance in the defeat of then-champions Tallow, and he retained that brilliance throughout as Mount Sion went on to lift the county and Munster titles before losing narrowly to James Stephens in the All-Ireland final.

The following years saw ‘Greener’ showing uncanny agility and perception between the posts, leaving the most seasoned observers to feel that had he moved to that position in his prime, he would surely have become one of the all-time greats. He went on to win further county titles in 1983 and 1986, with the latter bringing a fitting end to an auspicious hurling career, as already mentioned.

Stephen ended his working life with distinction as a member of Waterford City Fire Brigade, and that aspect of his life will be chronicled by his former colleagues. Stephen and Margaret suffered their share of tragedy in the loss of their children, Stevie and Sinead.

Following his retirement and the death of his Margaret, Stephen continued to take his golf seriously and, on meeting Irene, spent ten happy years with his partner in Kinsale. This Tuesday morning, he will be buried in the family plot in Ferrybank after his funeral Mass at St. Paul’s Church at 10am.

To Irene, his children Paul and Lorraine, brother Jim, sisters Josie and Mary, grandchildren and the extended Greene family, the sympathy of the hurling fraternity is extended. May he rest in peace.