O'Connor, Sean

April 18, 2007
The late Sean (Donal) O'Connor In glorious sunshine they buried Sean O'Connor of Kilaboona, The Glen, Ballinskelligs, one of the last survivors of an era in South Kerry football when facilities were mostly primitive and 'catch and kick' was the only show in town. Sean Donal, as he was known, was a free-taker par excellence who was capable of not only pointing long range frees, but of driving the ball into the next parish. He was a powerful midfielder on teams from the hinterland around Ballinskelligs Bay, an area that produced some outstanding footballers in the 1940s and 1950s. His brother, Mike, who emigrated to New York in 1949, was reputedly one of the best forwards ever to have played in Gaelic Park. Sean Donal O'Connor was an all-round sportsman whose leisure interests embraced football, rowing, card playing and hunting. He spent all his life at Kilaboona overlooking beautiful St Finian's Bay where he followed the family farming tradition. He is survived by his wife Rileem (nee Barry) and his son Gearoid to whom sincere sympathy is extended. He was uncle of Patrick Brennan, the current South Kerry chairman. Courtesy of The Kerryman 18 April 2007

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