Delaney, Cecil
December 11, 2013Cecil, a loveable rogue, was very well known and liked in his native town and would sit and banter with friends on a daily basis. Born on the western side of town in Ballyvelly, it was natural that Cecil was a follower of the famed Kerins O'Rahillys Club and although he lived in Gallows field Estate, his allegiance was always for the blue and white.
Indeed growing up within a short distance of Kerins O'Rahilly's pitch, Cecil cut his footballing teeth on that hallowed turf. A stylish and classy footballer, he played at juvenile and minor level as well as participating in the Houlihan Cup and street leagues. Along with style and class, Cecil was able to take the knocks on the field and there were no prisoners taken when trading leather with fellow footballing exponents.
Cecil was born in July, 1949, one of five children to parents Cecil J and Hannah Delaney (nee Sugrue). His siblings were brothers Paddy (deceased October, 1958), John (deceased September 2008) and sister Mary and Kate. Educated by the Presentation Sisters and Christian Brothers at Edward Street, Fairies Cross and The Green. Cecil made the transition from Edward Street to Fairies Cross when the new school opened in 1959. His carefree school days were interspersed with boyhood pranks, which he was well known for. On moving to The Green, his footballing prowess was acknowledged and he quickly established a place for himself on some of the school teams.
Divine inspiration was needed at times to help him against some of the big hitters in Cripples Acre. The divine inspiration came from the time he was an altar boy and served at Holy Cross Dominican Church, under the guidance of Bro Reginald Walsh, OP. When his schooling days were over Cecil went to work briefly with his father at his drapery shop Delaney & Lyne, Ashe Street. The thoughts of working and staying in Tralee obviously didn't appeal to him at the time and his itchy feet took him to Canada where he spent two years in the great north west working with Canada Life.
With the travel bug out of his system, Cecil returned to his native heath and worked for Royal Liver Insurance. Coming home proved very fortuitous for Cecil as he was smitten with Ann Kelly who had come to visit her sister Dolores and brother-in-law Aidan O'Connor at The Greyhound Bar. With Cupid's arrow embedded in his heart, Cecil and Ann were married in Dromiskin, Co. Louth in 1984.
Their union was blessed with children Deirdre, Sharon and Patrick and the birth of grandchildren Adam and Kaley, brought their further joy. Sadly their grandson Aaron died at birth last year.
Cecil was very easygoing with lovely caring qualities which endeared him to family, friends and fellow ball hoppers. A man of sartorial elegance, Cecil was always dressed up, shirt, tie and sports coat, nothing was ever out of place. On his daily sojourns to town Cecil would stop for a chat, embellishing the truth and sending the listener on his merry way.
One never met Cecil without a mischievous smile on his face and would be sure to go away laughing having spent time in his company. The removal of Cecil's remains took place from Hogan's Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 20 to the Church of Our Lady and St Brendan.
Requiem Mass was celebrated on Thursday morning at 11am with funeral immediately afterwards to St John's Cemetery, Oakview.
Cecil is sadly missed by his loving wife Ann, children Deirdre, Siobhan and Patrick, grandchildren Adam and Kaley, sisters Mary and Kate, Deirdre partner Michael, mother-in-law Kathleen Kelly, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
May his gentle soul find happiness and peace.
The Kerryman 11th December 2013 Tweet
