The death occurred unexpectedly on January 7 of Jer Hennessy, Upper Corrogurm, Mitchelstown. The late Jer in his late 50s was very well known locally. He was a keen sportsman. He was very interested in handball and played all through his life, up to and including the Friday night before his death.
In his younger days he played hurling with Ballygiblin and was a member of the panel that won the North Cork novice hurling title in 1979. He was a very strong player never known to pull a dirty stroke. Along with his 3 brothers they figured many times for Ballygiblin during the 70s and 80s in tournament and friendly games. Often times when I was club secretary there would be a shortage of players midweek, but when the four Hennessys arrived from the furthest end of the parish, on many occasions it meant the difference between being able to field or concede a walkover.
He was involved in some great tournament games in Ballygiblin, Kilbehenny, Araglin, Ballysaggart, Glenroe Clogheen and Ballyporeen that kept the club going during a lean period from the late 60s right to the early 80s which culminated with one championship success in '79.
Jer worked at Cork Marts for 32 years up to the time of his death. He was very popular with his fellow colleagues and the farming community who did their weekly business at Cahir, Dungarvan and Fermoy Marts. He was physically very strong but was also very gentle with cattle and all whom he came in contact with. His popularity was borne out in the very large and representative attendance at the removal on Friday night from O'Brien's Funeral Home to the parish church and also at the requiem Mass and burial on Saturday.
The coffin on its final journey to Brigown Cemetery was draped with the Ballygiblin Hurling club jersey. To his brothers Willie, Pat, John, sister Breda O'Reilly, nieces Elaine and Lisa, brother-in-law Ned, grandnephew Jack, relatives, neighbours and friends, we tender our sincere sympathy.

The Avondhu, 23rd January 2014 Tweet

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