The Late Joe Delaney The death took place of Joe Delaney, late of Upper Patrick Street, Kilkenny, at Marymount Hospice Cork. Joe who lived in Ballincollig for the last 32 years was a valued and popular member of the local community. Joe was the son of the late James and Mary Delaney (publican). He attended St John of God's, St Patrick's De La Salle and St Kieran's College, Kilkenny. He worked for ITPA in Galway until he was transferred to Cork in 1973. Joe, like many others, was an adopted son of the town of Ballincollig and he promptly got involved in the life of the community much to the betterment of all concerned. Joe will be particularly remembered for his contribution to the promotion of the GAA. He got involved with the Ballincollig club and he was part of many of the club's achievements during the past 30 years. He commenced his association with the Ballincollig GAA when he played with the intermediate hurling team in 1973 and he quickly displayed a desire to promote the Ballincollig GAA at every level. Joe was a committee member in 1974, a year that he also enjoyed particular success on the field of play. He captained the Ballincollig junior (B) hurling team that captured the Muskerry championship. His playing career continued for a few more years and he enjoyed another significant success in 1975. He won a junior (B) football championship medal and as a Kilkenny man, that winning of a Cork football championship medal gave him special satisfaction. Joe also won a minor county championship with Mark Loughman's team, St Canice's Kilkenny. He was a great supporter of Kilkenny hurling and never missed a championship game until this year, travelling in the Delaney's Bar bus. Joe was also deeply involved at administration level and he served as vice-chairman for a brief period. It was as club registrar however that he made the greatest impact and he was elected to that onerous position in 1977. He continued in that position up to his recent untimely death and he brought a level of expertise to the office that will be very hard to emulate. His period in office coincided with major changes in the Ballincollig GAA when the club responded to the needs of their changing situation. The huge increase in population in the parish meant that there was more players available with a consequent need for more teams, additional playing fields and overall improved facilities. Major projects were undertaken by the club and Joe was to the forefront at all times. He was one of the club's leading fundraisers throughout this important period in its history when the facilities improved enormously and the games played by Ballincollig increased and multiplied. The promotion of the games were always foremost with Joe however, as he acted on various selection committees, but he will be particularly remembered for his work with young people. The competitive, well organised internal parish leagues in hurling and football were utilised effectively during the past 30 years to enable young players to be involved in organised games and Joe always managed to put teams on the field representing his own part of the parish, Joe effectively managed the teams from his own estate, assisted by players from neighbouring estates and one can only marvel at the many hours he spent in The Green in Inniscarra View Estate, preparing all the players for their important encounters with their neighbours. Joe's team were often victorious and his fan club was enormous and he continued to the very end to devote time to preparing his charges. May of those players subsequently made their presence felt with numerous Ballincollig teams and this was a source of immense satification to Joe. Joe's capacity for work in the promotion of the GAA knew no bounds but he also managed to devote a significant amount of his time towards the welfare of people who were going through trying periods in their lives. He spent many hours visiting sick and old people in hospital and in their homes and his presence was always a boost to their morale. Joe's generosity of spirit and positive attitude to life always had a good effect on people. Joe was a truly remarkable Christian who will be sorely missed by all of us and the huge attendance at his removal and funeral said it all. His standing within the GAA in Cork was clear to be seen with prominent members of the association in the county coming to pay their respects. Among those who attended were County Board secretary Frank Murphy, treasurer Pearse Murphy, Cork senior hurling manager John Allen and former GAA president Con Murphy. All of the officers of the Muskerry GAA Board were in attendance and the Mulkerry division as a whole, were well represented. Joe was exceptionally popular within the division and he was particularly respected for his period as delegate for his club at the Divisional Board meetings Joe's sad passing has left a void that will not be filled, he is gone but his memory will live on. The numbers at his funeral at both removal and burial showed his popularity. His coffin was draped with the black and amber and the Ballincollig club colours of green and white. The underage teams which Joe trained led a guard of honour, with the son and daughter of Cork senior hurling manager, John Allen wearing the Kilkenny and Cork colours. Adult members of the Ballincollig club on both occasion in teams of six, carried the coffin shoulder high. Joe will be sadly missed by his wife Mary, his sons Jimmy, Brian and Richard ( All loyal Ballincollig players), his daughters Anna and Josephine, his extended family and a wide circle of friends. A very big crowd travelled from Kilkenny for the funeral, including Liam Aylward MEP, Phil Hogan TD, Michael Lanigan senior, Billy Ireland and Joe Mason, team masseur, former hurlers Phil (Fan) Larkin, Richie Power and Liam (Chunky) O'Brien. Also in attendance were Father Roderick Whearty, St Patrick's, Fr Michael Downey, Lower Conahy and USA, Fr Bob Stapleton, Mill Hill Fathers and Fr James Killeen. At the graveside the chairman of Ballincollig GAA Club, Paddy McGrath, delivered an oration. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. Courtesy of the Kilkenny People 19th August 2005 Tweet

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