2009 ended on a satisfying note when our senior side progressed to the semi
final of the
It was Tuesday morning that the news broke of the passing late the previous
night of our dear, dear friend Pat O'Connor. He had battled bravely and
dignifiedly with his health for while and finally succumbed. His death , whilst not a massive shock is still greeted with
immense sadness and with his passing comes the end of an era dedication and
commitment to our club, the likes that may not be seen again.
Shannon RFC has been blessed over the years with people whose efforts ensured
the club would prosper, and Pat O'Connor can stand amongst the greatest of them
all. To stand back and analyse just what he has achieved for our club would
take many more words than these notes, but yet he never looked for credit for
what he achieved.
His various committee positions for a great many years saw him eventually take
up the reigns as Hon Treasurer and then club Chairman and Pats broad shoulders
could certainly carry the responsibility that came with the roles. But his
stewardship could not be defined as conventional, it
was much more than that and any problems in the club, big or small would be
fixed. But it was with the players that he shone brightest and particular the
recruitment of new players to the club. His easy going demeanour ensured
prospective new players would almost be embarrassed not to join the club, and
god knows how many parents' houses he sat in to sign the next big thing.
There's certainly a great many players that owe quite a bit to Pat but once
they played for
It was mentioned that all that wisdom and knowledge will be buried with him , but I'd certainly like to think that a little bit of
Pat's ways and means have been passed onto many people within the club. And
it's thanks to that help from Pat that Shannon RFC will continue in his and the
memory of the many greats that have went before.
The esteem that Pat was held in was demonstrated by the numbers that came to
pay their respects in Milford Hospice on Wednesday evening. From 5.30 to 7.30
the volume of people that came belied the difficult travelling conditions, and
I know that had the roads been more favourable for travelling than the already
large numbers would have been swelled even further by his many friends from
around the country. The funeral cortege stopped by his parent's house on the
Ennis road and then the esteem that Pat was held in truly came to light when
international players with a multitude of caps carried his coffin to the
church.
Pat had better and longer friendships than I had with him but I think I can
speak for everyone who has a friendship with him and sate how fortunate we were
that he Pat O'Connor touched our lives.
I know that in Pat's final hours he was surrounded by his family and some of
his closest friends and I'm sure their presence eased his passing.
A man to command respect from all, is truly a man of the people and that is
certainly what Pat was. He will be deeply missed by his Family and all of us in
May you rest in peace my friend.
At the time of writing Fixtures for this weekend look in serious doubt and it
would perhaps be an exception if we were to see any action this weekend. What
was scheduled for this weekend . The seniors were due
to head to
|
or |