The Late Johnny Connolly Johnny Connolly, Ballindine, who died recently was widely known on his bus runs throughout the South Mayo and North Galway areas. News of his sudden death came as a great shock to family and friends. He was aged 77 and a member of a prominent local family. Johnny was born on the Galway side of the border, in Killerneen, Milltown and also had a few outings with the Galway minors. He remained a staunch Galway supporter throughout his life even though all his family lent their support to Mayo. He married Noreen Goraghty, formerly from Ballinlough area of Roscommon and Church View, Tuam and in the late 1950's they came to Ballindine. It was here they raised their family of six children, five sons and a daughter. They soon established a shop and a hackney and minibus service which was to become synonymous with the family in the years that were to follow. Johnny's mini-bus was in regular demand to bring various club teams from South Mayo to matches around the region and around the county. He formed a close relationship with the Claremorris GAA Club in those years and knew the lads so well that he was regarded as almost an 'extra' selector at times. Prior to coming to Ballindine, Johnny trained as a butcher in Connolly's in Dunmore where he served his time. After opening the shop in Ballindine, he put the expertise learned in Dunmore to good use by providing customers in Ballindine with a quality meat counter service over many years. Sport was something that was close to his heart throughout his life. He loved football and hurling and was a passionate supporter of the maroon and white....although Johnny would lend his support to Mayo if Galway were out of the championship. He had a great fondness for horse racing and bred race horses which were his pride and joy. He never lost his interest in the horses and had been up at the "The Wood" attending to them just an hour before he took ill and died. In former years, he was a strong supporter of Claremorris Athletic Club and was also a founder member of the Claremorris Bingo Committee. Reared in the rural countryside of Galway and close to the Mayo border, Johnn's family operated a "thresher" in years gone by. Johnny developed a life long love for fixing things and could strip a tractor down and put it together again. In his shed, he spent hours fixing and making things to his hearts content. The social scene never held any great attraction for Johnny even though he enjoyed meeting friends and chatting about the news stories of the day. He took a keen interest in current affairs and never shirked a challenge when it came to debating things of political interest that were close to his heart. He fought his corner with conviction and tenacity. Johnny undertook numerous bingo runs over the years and made many friends around the district. He had a instinctive knowledge of the area and its people garnered from years on the road. He also drove the children from the Kilvine area to Irishtown school for many years and again had a wonderful knowledge of the local social history of that area. He enjoyed the old songs and music and John Duggan was one of his favourite presenters on Mid-West Radio. He especially enjoyed many of John's monologues and reminiscences on days gone by. The last time I met Johnny was when I called for a visit after Cannon John Colleran's funeral in Ballindine back in the middle of November. He was his own ebullient self, strong in his conviction and always ready to take a firm stand. Johnny Connolly was an integral part of life in Ballindine for many years. It is hard to believe that he has departed these shores. To Noreen and family, our deepest sympathy in these sad times. Removal took place from Carey's Funeral Home to Ballindine Church with burial in the local cemetery following Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr. Martin O' Connor. The large crowds on both days were reflective of the regard in which Johnny was held by so many people around Ballindine and further afield. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. Johnny, who was predeceased by his brothers Tom and Pake, is deeply regretted by his wife Noreen and family, Sean (Achill), Paul (London), Kevin (Ballindine), Martin (London), Michael (London) and Noreen (Corofin), in-laws, grandchildren, sisters May Glynn (Claremorris), Kathleen Storan (Barna, Galway), brother Martin (Tuam), nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. Courtesy of theWestern People, March, 2004. Tweet

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