The late Nicky Purcell The business and sporting life of Kilkenny united to pay tribute to a talented local man. Kilkenny GAA, agri-food giant Glanbia and Kilkenny Golf Club said farewell to a colleague and friend. Nicky Purcell (80), Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny, was acknowledged as a leader among men as GAA chiefs and Glanbia management paid tribute at the removal of his remains to St. John's Church, Kilkenny, and burial at Ballykeeffe Cemetery. At the funeral, his son Philip spoke of the enjoyment Mr Purcell got from his involvement with Glanbia, then Avonmore, the GAA and the Golf Club. At Avonmore he was the company secretary and worked closely with the then managing director Mr Reddy Brennan during the fledgling days of the company in the 'Seventies' He was a man of great foresight and encouraged the amalgamation of local creameries to form Avonmore Co-op. He had spent spells as manager of Tullaroan and Muckalee creameries. He succeeded Reddy Brennan as Muckalee Co-op manager in 1967. Before that he was manager of Tullaroan Co-op and Kilkenny Creamery's dairy business. After the amalgamation of the co-ops in the region to form Avonmore in 1973, he was appointed regional general manager for all 20 creameries in Co Kilkenny. He succeeded Pat O'Neill as secretary of Avonmore and retired from the company in October 1986. He was a former board member of SOS, Callan Road, Kilkenny and was a founder of Seville Lodge education centre. He was a former director of Grassland Fertilisers, Kilkenny. Dr. Pat O'Neill, former managing director of Glanbia, said Mr Purcell was a man of great integrity who was highly respected by work colleagues and farmers alike. He said Mr Purcell had a real talent for handling complex issues. Through the influence of men like the late Michael Teehan of Castlecomer, Oliver O'Neill of Killenaule, Reddy Brennan and Nicky Purcell farmers voted to join the co-op movement. Great administrator In the GAA he was described as a great administrator. He was chairman of Kilkenny Co Board GAA from 1958 to 1968 and went on to represent Kilkenny on the Central Council of the GAA. In his young days he was a noted hurler and won a Kilkenny senior hurling championship medal with Graigue, now Graigue/Ballycallan, in 1949 when Graigue beat Tullaroan by 3-12 to 2-14 in the county final at Nowlan Park. He was a sub on the Kilkenny senior hurling team in 1950. His coffin was draped with the Graigue and Kilkenny GAA colours. Among the attendance at his funeral were former GAA presidents Mr Con Murphy of Cork an Mr Paddy Buggy of Slieverue. Also present were former Kilkenny co Board chairman Mr Michael O'Neill of Kilmacow and Mr Nicky Brennan, now chairman of the Leinster Council. There too were Kilkenny Co Board Chairman Ned Quinn, Vice-Chairman Paul Kinsella; Secretary Pat Dunphy, Central Council delegate John Healy; development officer Barry Hickey; PRO Ned Buggy and management committee members Pat Henderson and Johnny Comerford. Kilkenny Golf Club was represented at the funeral by Mr P.F. O'Shea. Mr Purcell was a devoted golfer and spent some time on the committee of Kilkenny Golf CLub. Fittingly one of his final outings was with hurling colleagues. He is survived by his wife Daisy; son Philip; daughters Kathleen, Paula and Nicola; brothers Phil and Paddy; sister May; sisters-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Courtesy of the Kilkenny People August 2004 Tweet

Most Read Stories