McNamara, Oliver
March 31, 2005
The Late Oliver McNamara
Oliver McNamara, or Ollie Mack as he was known to all, was indeed a person who endeared himself to everyone who had the good luck of knowing him. He was a great sportsman in his early years, a great family man in latter years.
A man of talent, he played Gaelic football with the local St. Breckan's GAA Club, representing the club at under age, and going on to win an under 21 B championship medal in 1977. That same year he was also a member of the Geraldine League victorious team.
It was as a handballer he really excelled. This was down to rare talent and a lot of dedicated training. All the energy he devoted to the game paid off, as he was in the final shake up to be picked to play in the Atlas World Under 19 Championships in America. Around this time he was playing at his best and won the Munster singles championships.
Ollie often hitched rides to Ennis to train in order to play senior players to progress his game. That will show how determined an individual he was. He always was available to represent his home club in the various divisional leagues and was always there to play in the championships. Naturally enough, he represented the county with distinction, always giving of his best.
We, the local middle of the road handball players, received the same treatment from Ollie as if he was playing a Top Ace senior player. It was indeed a privilege to have played with, and against him in the sports complex. In 1994 when the World Handball Championships were played in Clare, he took a week's holidays to coordinate the games, some of which were played at the sports complex.
Some years back, he put in a lot of effort in promoting the game he loved, by spending night after night for a number of winters, coaching the boys and girls from the locality. This showed the real character of the man, that he was prepared to put in the effort to try to keep the game alive in the area.
Above all, he was indeed a family man. We will forever remember how relaxed he appeared whenever we had the occasion to visit, and it was nearly impossible to leave. You would walk in: Ollie would be spread over the coach, and there he would stay, no fussing, no matter who came.
He was dedicated Eircom worker, after a short stint at blocklaying, in the earlier years. Good humoured at all times on the job, his motto for his crew, as Fr. David referred to at his funeral mass, was that they were a Rapid Response Unit, meaning that all emergencies would be dealt with within three working days. Reflecting on the individual, it was indeed a testimony to his character that so many turned up on both Saturday and Sunday to pay their respects to a caring family man.
Our sincere sympathy to his wife, Deirdre and their five sons, Mairtin, Eimhin, Cillian, Diorraing, Carthach, as well as Ollie's mother, Nellie; his brothers, Gussie, Patrick, Michael and sisters Breda, Teresa, Helen and Mary. Thanks again for the memories and may you rest in peace.
Courtesy of the Clare Champion
19th March 2005
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