A native of Carrick-on-Shannon, Eithne came to live in Kinnegad in 1977 where she set up home with her beloved husband, Denis, who is one of Westmeath GAA's best-known and longest-serving officials. 

Denis was county board chairman from 1974 to '79 and then served nine years as football board chairman between 1997 and 2006, during which time Westmeath enjoyed unprecedented success, winning Leinster and All-Ireland U21 titles in 1999, Leinster U21 and minor titles in 2000, National League Division 2 titles in 2001 and 2003, and best of all, a first Leinster senior title in 2004.

Denis has also been involved with the Coralstown/Kinnegad club for many years.