The Late Matt Stapleton On December 31, Matt Stapleton's remains were laid to rest in the grounds of Holy Cross Abbey. This followed concelebrated mass at St John the Baptist Church, Cashel where the chief celebrant was Msgr Christy O'Dwyer. Also in attendance were Msgr James Ryan, Fr Conor Hayes, Fr Bernie Moloney, Fr Jim Purcell, Fr Sean O'Doherty of Durrow, Fr James Dolard, Conahy, Fr Joe Egan, Dualla, Fr Martin Murphy, the Ragg and Fr Tom Breen, Holycross. It was with deep regret and shock that we learned of Matt's untimely passing on December 28 after a short illness suffered with great courage and fortitude. We offer our sincerest sympathy to his wife Mossey, his three children Matthew, Sheila and Caroline, his brothers Michael, Neddy, Billy and Frankie, his sister Maureen King, his mother-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. Matt was the youngest of a large family who lived in Dovea, the Ragg, and was steeped in hurling lore. Many a match was played behind the house, joined by neighbours children until darkness drove them home. Matt was the star. While still attending Inch National School he had earned a name for himself as a wizard with the 'stick'. Gifted with fast feet and hands, he was a joy to watch. When Tom Shortt organised the "Na Fianna" combination team of Templemore, Clonakenny and Drom-Inch, Matt made wing forward his own position, winning a Mid-Tipp minor medal in 1961. Unfortunately, they lost the County Final to Roscrea prior to the famous Sarsfields and Toomevara Senior Final in Templemore. Matt's deeds did not go unnoticed and Drom-Inch were able to field a strong under-21 team in 1963 winning the title in 1964. He won a junior medal in 1967 aided by his brothers Michael and Paul (RIP). Matt is fondly remembered as a fast & fearless forward with a rare dash of speed. He gave great service to his parish. He played with great pride and passion. As work took him away from home, his appearance were less frequent but he took great joy in recalling his days in the green jersey which he loved so well. It was through his working career as a fitter and welder the Matt gained his legendary status. He was affectionately known in the construction industry as "weld the world". If you were fortunate enough to meet Matt on any of the numerous building sites around the country you would not have to ask why he was called "weld the world", his work rate was phenomenal. He was capable of top quality work at high speed, a very rare combination. For more than 30 years Matt was involved with electrical contractors in the construction industry. He worked for over ten years with M.F. Kent of Clonmel and for more than 20 years with Suir Engineering in Mooncoin. In the early 1970s when the industrial age started to spread around Ireland, Matt was there. He blazed a trail from Cork to Mayo and overseas in Scotland. He worked in all types of industries - huge dairy plants, food plants, pharmaceutical plants and mines to name but a few. His ability to adapt to the various requirements of each plant was renowned. In the early years the working week extended way beyond the 39 hour week we enjoy today. Most projects were seven days a week including late night work and a fair sprinkling of "ghosters". Matt was never found wanting when the need was there, the more hours he got, the harder he worked. There are plenty of stories told from around the country about a lone flashing light on otherwise dark building sites at 2am. It was the flash from Matt's are welding. He never knew when to stop. Matt was a foreman's dream, his vast experience and knowledge meant that he would always find a way to overcome the various problems that would inevitably occur from day to day. His favourite phase was "we'll come up with something" - and he always did. A shortage of material rarely slowed Matt down, he would adapt and find a way to keep the show on the road. It was not always serious work with Matt, he enjoyed the lighter moments too. He had a great sense of humour. He loved the banter of the building sites, the jokes, the slagging when the hurling season started. He was a great man for practical jokes and his hearty laugh could be heard all over the site as he would recall some of the better ones. Matt loved all forms of sport and liked to have a flutter on the horses and various matches, be it hurling, football, rugby or soccer. In the later years, Matt liked nothing better than to sit in his local, sip a pint and watch the sport on the big screen and at half-time to sample those tasty chicken legs. Matt, we will certainly miss you from the sites but we know that you are gone to your eternal reward in the heavenly site where you will no longer require that famous scaffold to be built to the sky that allowed you to weld the clouds as they went by. As Dheis De Go Raibh a Anam From Drom-Inch GAA Club and work colleagues at MSD Courtesy of the Kilkenny People 28th January 2005 Tweet

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