O'Neill, Michael
September 15, 2006
The late Mick O'Neill
A minute's silence was observed before the All-Ireland senior hurling final in memory of the late Mick O'Neill, Kilmacow. As chairman of the Kilkenny Co Board, the county enjoyed unprecedented success, winning seven senior All-Irelands, five national minor titles and four national under-21 championships.
The 80-year-old who was loved and respected by all in the GAA died suddenly at his home.
The day before he had collected his All-Ireland tickets in Kilkenny and had planned to attend an under-16 match the evening he died.
Earlier this year, he was honoured at a function in the Rising Sun, Mullinavat which was attended by hundreds of people.
He has left an indelible mark in the GAA in the native county and the attendance at his funeral was like a who's who of hurling in Kilkenny and the South East.
A guard of honour was formed by members of the Kilmacow GAA club, which he helped to form in 1950.
He was life president of the club up to the time of his death.
The graveside oration at his funeral was given by former president of the GAA, Paddy Buggy from Slieverue who recalled his life-long friendship with Mick and Mick's many achievements and qualities.
An avid horse racing enthusiast, he was married to Margaret, a sister of Tullahought horse trainer, Joe Crowley.
His main love in life was his family and he was described by the current chairman of the GAA county Board, Ned Quinn, as "A gentleman and an outstanding administrator."
As a player Mick won a junior championship medal in 1956 when St Senan's (Kilmacow) beat St Finbarr's of Castleinch 6-9 to 4-6.
In December 1950 he was elected chairman of Kilmacow club and he spent the next five decades as an administrator.
He became a delegate to the Kilkenny County Board in 1957 and served as chairman of the Southern Board from 1963 to 1969.
He was a chairman of the Kilkenny County Board from 1969 to 1985 and left office after the death of his friend and then county secretary, Paddy Grace.
Mick O'Neills remains were removed from Waterford Regional Hospital to St Senan's Church, Kilmacow. He was buried in the adjoining cemetery after concelebrated Requiem Mass with Canon Brian Flynn as chief celebrant.
He is survived by his wife Margaret: sons Tom, Brian and Sean daughters Ann and Elleen; sisters Breda, Vera and Kathleen; brother-in-law, son-in-law; daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Courtesy of the Kilkenny People
08/09/2006
The day before the All-Ireland final it rained heavily, but at 11am, the sky cleared for the funeral Mass of Michael O'Neill, my staunch friend for over 65 years.
St Senan's Church, Kilmacow was packed, as hundreds of people came from far and wide to pay their final respects to Kilmacow's most illustrious parishioner.
In his homily, Canon Brian Flynn described Michael as a great parishioner. He was a loving husband to Margaret, a great father to his five children, brother to his three sisters and a man who adored his 11 grandchildren.
Canon Flynn spoke about Michael's life, and his own friendship and admiration for him; he played cards with Michael twice weekly. Michael health was not good for the past 12 months; he suffered a lot, but rarely missed a funeral or Saturday evening Mass.
The eulogy was given by his great friend Paddy Buggy, a hurler of renown, and a past president of the GAA. Michael's father Tommy, a good hurler himself, nurtured in the young Michael a great love for the sport.
He played with St Senan's hurling club, but it was at administration level he achieved greatness. He was secretary, and later chairman of the club for many years.
Michael was a delegate from St Senan's to the Kilkenny Southern Board. He became chairman in 1964, a position he held for five years. In 1969 he was elected chairman of the GAA county Board, a position that would be his for the next 17 years.
Known as Mick O'Neill in GAA circles when he retired in 1986 to make way for new blood he served as Kilkenny delegate to the Leinster Council until 1989.
During his term as chairman Kilkenny won seven senior All-Irelands, four National Leagues and ten Leinster titles. He led the teams on eight occasions to the US.
For most of his time as chairman, Michael often made the 50-mile round trip to Kilkenny several times a week, especially during training. He sis this on a voluntary basis, there were no expenses paid at that time.
The guard of honour was made by many of his old colleagues, new elderly men. At the 2006 All-Ireland, over 82,000 people rose to their feet during the minute's silence for a great man. I too stood to attention at home, and wept unashamedly; my greatest friend for 65 years had gone.
Kilmacow is a wonderful parish, and I am proud to be a native. For both funerals the women of the local ICA guild fed the multitudes in the New Sports Hall. Kilmacow looks after its own and shows a great community spirit, which unfortunately is now rare.
Michael and I were in school together, in St Senan's Boy's School, where the legendary Master Pat Lynch taught us. Two years older than me, when Michael was 13 he went to the De La Salle secondary school in Waterford, which he left two years later to start work in the Creamery.
As teenagers we had little money, just enough to go to Waterford on Sunday to the pictures. Michael had started hurling by then, but we joined Kilmacow dramatic Society, which had been revived.
Despite the scarcity of money, we had good times together. Michael, who had by this stage earned the nickname 'Naw', a shrewd operator; if he did not want to divulge information, his answer to persistent questioning was 'Naw, I don't know".
In 1948 Margaret Crowley from Tullahought came to Kilmacow as Diary Maid in the Creamery, Michael worked there, and they were soon attracted to each other. In 1953 they married, and Margaret came to Dangan.
By that stage Michael had already joined the Royal Liver Insurance Co in Waterford, where he spent 40 years. While his main client base was the city, the loyal people of Kilmacow supported him, he had several good agencies, and he looked after his clients.
Margaret and Michael gradually built up the farm, Margaret was the main stay, and she ran the farm, milked the cows and reared five children well.
When Michael retired from the Royal Liver, he developed his love of horse racing. He joined a syndicate, whose best horse was Sweet Charmer. In later years he played cards regularly, in Mooncoin, Mullinavat, and twice weekly in Kilmacow.
We settled in Dublin 42 years ago, but my wife Statia and I remained firm friends of the O'Neills. They attended all of our family weddings, as we attended theirs. When we celebrated our Golden Jubliee in 2001 Michael and Margaret attended.
WE visit Kilmacow a few times a year, and the highlight of our visit would be meeting Michael and Margaret. I phoned him at least once a month, and when he was ill, we fretted about him.
Our friendship was based on trust, and a light has gone out in our lives. We will miss you Michael, and we will visit Margaret as long as we all live. Rest in peace good friend.
No doubt you looked kindly at the All-Ireland. As Canon Flynn said, "Michael will put in a good word". No doubt he would have been proud of the Black and Amber success.
Tribute by his school friend Tom Whyte
Courtesy of the Kilkenny People
15/09/2006
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