Kilkenny bade farewell to a much loved and respected sportsman at the weekend. Mr. Kieran Meally from Moneenroe died at Waterford Regional hospital last week just hours before he was due to celebrate his 63rd birthday. Mr. Meally was a member of a family long associated with sport in Kilkenny, especially football. His son, Sean is a current member of the Kilkenny senior hurling panel. Mr. Meally was given a royal send off, one worthy of his position as the uncrowned king of football in the county. Leading GAA personalities from all corners of the country travelled to pay their final respects to a man whose courageous promotion of the game he loved was all but legendary. Mr. Meally wasn't merely a talker, he was a doer. If he believed in something, he threw himself wholeheartedly into it and gave it his best shot always. And he was a man with heart, who never saw anyone stuck if he could do anything about it. He was educated at Moneenroe national school, and later at the Vocational School, Castlecomer. He worked for some time at the Massford Stores Co-Op and later as an insurance agent with the Royal Liver. In more recent years he was employed by Kilkenny Co. Council as a Revenue Collector. Mr. Meally was born into a famous GAA family. As a player, administrator, selector at club and county level he did more than his bit. He got his first taste of success as an enthusiastic 13-year old when winning the 1952 minor football championship. He stuck with the game over a long, long number of years and won an astonishing 13 senior football championships with his beloved Railyard. He served as chairman of Kilkenny Football Board between 1989 and 1994. Earlier he had been vice-chairman (1981 to '85 and again in 1988). He followed in the foot-steps of his late father, Mick, who served two terms as chairman of the Football Board. He also served on Kilkenny Co. Board for a long number of years. For years Kieran Meally was a selector with county football teams at all grades. He spearheaded many developments on the football front in the county. The one dearest to his heart during his time as an administrator was when the Railyard acquired their own grounds, and then provided dressing-rooms in 1990. There was no prouder man in the park than Kieran Meally the day former GAA President and Kilkenny man, Paddy Buggy officially opened the dressing-rooms. He also had the distinction of being a county hurling selector. He was part of the backroom team when Kilkenny won the National League and All-Ireland championship double in 1982. As a hurler, Kieran Meally helped Erin's Own (Castlecomer) to their one and only victory in the junior championship. He was a flying half-forward on the successful side of 1958. The following season he helped Erin's Own qualify for the senior final. Alas, they came off second best against the then mighty Bennettsbridge. Still, he had helped Erin's Own attain senior status, and they have remained in the top flight since. In good times and bad Kieran was there to help the local clubs, encourage youngsters and to do his bit. He was manager of the Erin's Own team for a time, and even after he vacated that position, he was never far away when assistance was needed. Kieran also found time to maintain and foster his sporting relationships with emigrants. He was a near annual visitor to the Kilkenny Association in Manchester, and many is the time he brought teams across the Irish Sea to play exhibition games in England. He was also a member of the Castlecomer male voice choir, and members of both groups paid tribute at the obsequies. The remains were removed to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Moneenroe where they were received by Fr. Denis Purcell. Bishop Forristal of Ossory presided. The Requiem Mass was celebrated by his greet friend, Fr. Willie Purcell. Interment was in the cemetery adjoining the church. The coffin was draped in the Kilkenny, Railyard and Erin's own colours. Guards of honour were formed by members of both GAA clubs and Co. Council staff. He is survived by his wife Joan; Sean (son); Kay, Ann-Marie, Siobhan (daughters); Martin and Michael Meally (brothers); Phyllis, Anne, Marie, Noleen (sisters); Michael Dermody, Christy Brennan (sons-in-law), Delma and Kathleen (sisters-in-law); Joe and Denis Maher (brother-in-law); Lauren Dermody, James Brennan (grandchildren) and a host of other relatives and friends. Courtesy of Kilkenny People Tweet

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