The Limerick GAA community is mourning as two major sporting figures passed away this week.
The funeral mass takes place at St. Joseph’s Church on O’Connell Avenue this Thursday morning of Sean O’Connor (Claughaun), who refereed the 1969 and ’75 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Finals at Croke Park.
The burial afterwards is to take place at Mount Oliver Cemetery.
During his time, Sean officiated at practically ever sort of a final, including over 20 Munster deciders, in both hurling and football.
In the late 1950’s, he was a dual senior player with Limerick and later served as a county selector.
With Claughaun, Sean won seven county senior championship medals between hurling and football. At the time of his death, he was Claughaun President.
Sean’s other great pastime was greyhound racing and he was a regular at Limerick on weekends right up until recent weeks.
Late of Aer Lingus Shannon, Sean, of Lynwood Park on the Ballysimon Road, is survived by wife Marie, daughter Valerie (Compton), son Leo, other relatives and friends.
May he Rest in Peace.
While Sean O’Connor lived a fairly full life, it’s a total opposite for young Tony Houlihan of Newcastle West and Adare, who only in his very low 40s passed away peacefully earlier in the week after a very brief illness, long before his natural time.
His all-too-sudden death has brought huge sadness around Adare this week.
A fearless hurler with his beloved Adare, Tony won numerous awards but none more precious than those couple of county senior hurling championship medals secured in scarce times.
He is survived by loving wife Audrey, daughter Neasa, parents Tommy and Breda, brothers Damian and Timmy, father-in-law Patsy Griffin, other relatives and a widespread collection of friends.
Tony will be laid to rest at St. Nicholas Cemetery in Adare following this morning’s Requiem Mass at Holy Trinity Abbey Church.
‘May the sod rest lightly on his gentle soul.’
More local news here.
