GAA Presidency was 'privilege of his life' - Liam O'Neill laid to rest in Laois

Liam O’Neill, the family man, teacher, Gaelgóir and GAA leader, was remembered in many ways at his funeral in Raheen, where, fittingly for the man of vision, Laois and the horizon beyond were resplendent in brilliant summer sunshine.

Members of Liam’s club Trumera GAA formed a guard of honour as his wife Áine, accompanied by family, carried his remains into St Fintan’s Church, where hundreds of mourners had gathered from far and near to bid a final farewell on Saturday, August 8.

Speaking in Ghaeilge, the chief celebrant Fr Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh greeted Áine, her children Caoimhe, Ciaran, and Clíodhna, and extended family as he received Liam’s remains to the altar.

He also welcomed all in the congregation and online who had gathered to honour Liam, including Aide-de-camp to the President and Taoiseach, Commandant Joe Glennon. Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jarlath Burns, and the former presidents were also welcomed to the church.

Accompanied on the altar by Fr Paddy Byrne, Msgr Brendan Byrne, Fr Dan Dunne, Fr Joe Byrne, Fr Adrian Carbury, Fr Petru Medves, Fr Maoldhomhnaigh said the congregation had gathered with the family in solidarity in their time of need.

He welcomed Liam’s grandchildren Éanan, Orla, Aobh to bring symbols of Liam’s life to the altar: his GAA President’s pin representing his love of Gaelic Games; a family portrait to represent his love of family; a book of poetry to mark his life in education; a trowel - a symbol of his love of gardening,

In his bilingual homily, Fr Maoldhomhnaigh spoke of what Liam’s mother said on her son’s election as President of Ireland’s biggest sporting organisation - ‘he has the head for it and the passion for it’.

The priest said anybody who witnessed Liam’s work as GAA Uachtarán, from administrative duties to official engagements, his championing of the underdog or work for innovation and change, could not but conclude that his mother was correct.

The celebrant cited Liam’s inaugural address to the 2012 GAA congress in Killenard when praising his family. At the time, he said Liam recalled how his wife Áine was at his side as secretary of the UCD Hurling Club in 1975. It was the Laois man’s first foray into GAA administration.

“It is clear that without her support he would not have become the GAA president,” said the priest.

Fr Maoldhomhnaigh also referenced Liam’s call in 2012 for meaningful change and leadership. He said Liam urged delegates not to be afraid of examining what they do to achieve change. The priest said such principles could go a long way to addressing the “worldwide leadership crisis…that is having a demoralising consequence for the lives of citizens”.

He also referred to Liam’s time in Gaelscoil Thromaire and how Maister Ó Néill inspired generations through his teaching.

“He instilled a grá for our culture, games, language, literature and our music…He was passionate about education,” he said.

Liam’s daughter Caoimhe spoke on behalf of her family in tribute. She thanked all who attended the funeral, adding that the family have been overwhelmed by the support and tributes since her father’s passing. More below photo.

She thanked the local community for their help in organising the funeral, making special reference to the GAA community at clubs in Trumera, Colt, Mountrath, Shanahoe and elsewhere.

She spoke of his father as someone who “packed a lot of living into his life” and a man who wore many hats.

“He was a husband, father, friend, teacher, mentor and coach. All of these were woven together,” she said.

She spoke of his happy childhood in a family of 12 siblings whom, she said, he “loved and cherished dearly”. Poignantly, she recalled the passing of his twin sister Siobhan in infancy and so, to come full circle, Liam had chosen to be laid to rest where she is buried in Raheen cemetery.

Caoimhe talked of her dad’s sporting career, in which he hurled with a mix of “skill and belligerence”, adding that he was “a force to be reckoned with although with some questionable tactics”.

She recalled his brief and unsuccessful career as a ref.

“He was arguably more successful at writing the rules of the game,” he said.

Teaching was not her dad’s first career choice, as she said he began as an insurance man for PMPA. Taking his mother's advice, he enrolled in UCD to study history and Irish. She said it was through the university’s hurling club that her parents “set off on an adventure of a lifetime together”.

The Laois chapter of this adventure didn’t start until 1981 when Liam “managed to persuade” his by-now wife Áine to move home with firstborn Caoimhe. Liam filled a vacancy in Trumera NS caused by his father’s retirement. His daughter spoke about her dad’s joy in education.

“He loved teaching. He took joy in sharing knowledge,” she said.

He was equally passionate about Gaelic games.

“He loved the GAA and firmly, wholeheartedly believed in the ideals of the association,” she said. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

She referenced his role in co-founding the Cumann na mBunscol, a competition which has flourished right around Ireland since starting in Laois.

Caoimhe spoke about his time with Laois GAA, first on the hurling board and then as Laois GAA secretary from 1999 to 2003, during which he worked with Dick Miller and others to rebuild O’Moore Park. She also recalled his innovative decision to start using e-mail for Laois GAA communications.

She recalled his subsequent spells as Leinster GAA Chairman and then as GAA President from 2012 to 2015.

“It was the privilege of his life to lead the Association,” she said.

She said her father viewed the GAA as more than sport.

Speaking as Gaelige, she spoke about her father’s dedication and love of the Irish language. At the forefront of this was opening Trumera NS as a Gaelscoil in 1994.

Community and volunteering were, she said, “at the core” of everything her father was involved with, be that with the GAA, teaching groups, or community partnerships.

“That whole idea of volunteering was at the centre of his work,” she said.

Caoimhe also recalled her father as a family man.

“Family was the number one priority for dad. He loved his parents, siblings; he loved us,” she said.

His daughter recalled spending a lot of time with her father by having him as a teacher, coach, gardener or going to GAA matches and events.

She said he loved spending time with his nieces and nephews and supporting them in their endeavours, but it was his grandchildren, Éanan, Orla, Aobh, and Alva, who were “his greatest love of all”. She said Liam had created a special fairy corner of his garden for his grandchildren.

“He was delighted watching them grow,” he said.

Before concluding, she thanked all the doctors and nurses and the ‘outstanding’ Laois Palliative Care Team who had supported her father through his illness. She also expressed gratitude to friends and family for their help.

Appropriately, she expressed a final farewell as Gaelige.

“Codladh sámh a stór”.

Liam’s cremated remains were laid to rest immediately after his Requiem Mass in Raheen Cemetery.

Apart from his wife, children and grandchildren, Liam is sadly missed by his sons-in-law Kieran and Patrick, daughter-in-law Maija, sisters Maria, Gráinne, Mairéad, Gertrude, Suzette, brothers Diarmuid, Colm, and Killian.

He is predeceased by his parents Billy and Brigid; sisters Brenda, Barbara and Siobhán; and brothers An t-Athair Caoimhín and Aengus.

Donations if desired to Laois Hospice.