The Late Eamon O'Connor A beautiful light left the West Kerry scene on Sunday December 2nd when Eamon O'Connor was called suddenly to his heavenly reward. A wonderful character, he was born 89 summers ago on the 4th of August, 1918, in the parish of Ballyduff near the town of Cloghane. His parents were Michael O'Connor and Mary Houlihan. Eamon and his twin brother Seamus were the youngest of 11 children, eight boys and three girls, Tim, Nelly, Morris, Mike, Johnny, Tom, Hanna, Paddy and Maryann. His mother died shortly after the twins birth. Eamon and Seamus enjoyed all the beauty of the country way of life growing up. They were virtually inseparable and both were involved in many activities, particularly football. Both became excellent players for their parish and many other teams over the years. Like many others growing up in the '30s and '40s, they had to leave Kerry to make their living. They initially went to work in Dublin and joined the Geraldine's Club which led to them playing in a number of finals in Croke Park. They then went on to England and arrived in London in the mid '40s settling in Ealing,playing and winning for the famous St. Joseph's Gaelic football team. Both Eamon and his brother were men who enjoyed the craic and were always ready for a bit of fun. Nearly twenty years ago, after reaching retirement age, they made the decision to return to their native land and where made most welcome by many people, in particular Patricia Spillane and her family. Religion was an important part of Eamon's life. Every single Sunday the brothers of great happiness and solace throughout their lives. Eamon and Seamus were certainly tremendous characters and had the ability to raise the spirits of anyone in their company with their wit and humour. They both loved football and were constantly reminiscing about games they played in and of players they played against. Eamon recently said that when they played Annascaul the team walked over the hills from Cloghane, played the game and then walked back, all in the same day! By a set of divine circumstances on the day Eamon passed away, the Sam Maguire cup was coming to the town of Cloghane. That very evening it was arranged by Michael O'Dowd and his family that the cup would be taken to the family home for Seamus to see it and as a mark of respect to Eamon. The O'Connor twins, who spoke about football every day of their lives, now had the Sam Maguire Cup in the house where Eamon passed away. Seamus is now the last living member of the family. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Kerry's Eye 13th December 2007 Tweet

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