The late Tony O'Reilly Not all of last week's news was as welcome for a few days earlier the word of the untimely death after a short illness of Tony O'Reilly was made known. One of four brothers from Lislea who played for Harps and who thought nothing of walking the whole way into the city for Harps games, Tony was a stalwart on the Senior side during the 1960s. This decade, as will be recalled, saw a slump in the fortunes of the club and followed the previous ten years which saw four Senior, one Junior and three Minor Championships, as well as a host of tournaments won. It was 1962 when Tony first donned the Harps' jersey as a Minor and two years later we read of him on the senior team. He was a regular on this team for the next ten years, during which he was most loyal to a team which was going through trying times. While others may have displayed some apathy, it wasn't so with Tony who consistently turned out showing great ability with his high fielding at midfield and, if asked to play in the attack, giving of his all and notching many vital scores. A reserved but very affable man, he was described by many last week as "being a gentleman". That he was throughout his life and he carried the same traits onto the football field so that he was highly respected by team mates and opponents alike. The sympathies of all club members and past players, some of whom acted as guard of honour at his funeral, go to his wife Patricia, sons, daughters, grandchildren and brother John. May he rest in peace. - Courtesy of the Armagh Observer, February 2009 Tweet

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