POIGNANT: Son of Tipperary All-Ireland hurling star who passed away gives beautiful eulogy
Matt Hassett passed away last week
Warm tributes were offered on Monday morning during the funeral mass of Matt Hassett, a respected solicitor, devoted family man, and celebrated Tipperary GAA figure.
Mr. Hassett, who resided on St Conlan's Road in Nenagh and originally hailed from Ollatrim, Toomevara, passed away peacefully on April 3.
He left behind a legacy in both the legal field and the sporting world, notably leading Tipperary to an All-Ireland championship victory in 1961 as team captain.
During the service at St Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, his son Mark spoke movingly about his father’s life, describing it as one committed wholeheartedly to both his loved ones and his passion for sport.
“He had a very full independent life for 92 years,” his son Mark said.
“He was a great advert for no smoking, no drinking, for never owning a mobile phone, and for never pressing a key on a computer. He never panicked either. A sweet tooth and a flutter on the horses were his own only vices.”
Though Matt was a very sociable and affable person, he was never one to dominate a conversation. When he did speak, others tended to listen.
“He always said, ‘of course, I never talked on the hurling field’.”
“He was not a great one for eulogies,” said Mark. “And there were none at Kevin’s or Anne’s funerals. The last thing he would want is me rambling on about him up here.”
He continued: “He didn’t discriminate and was very tolerant of all types of people.
"He could not abide the snob. When I began to work with him, I quickly noticed that the Garda Superintendent, the Judge, the bank manager would be spoken the same way as the new garda recruit or the bank official.”