The late Billy Kelly When Billy Kelly died after a brief illness, the town lost one of its greatest characters. The last line of Billy's signature tune now never more appropriate: "Goodbye, goodbye, we wish you all last goodbye..." A member of the former talent group, Mary O'Shea, spoke fondly of Billy at his funeral "Our dearly departed Billy has entertained at social gatherings for more than 50 years. He was one of the founder members of Templemore Talent group and performed in each show until the group disbanded. He was involved with 'Tops of the Town' and also in amateur dramatics. Not only had he a magnificent voice but he was also a colourful character. he was famous for arriving on opening night without some critical piece of his stage costume, or perhaps not all his lines in order! On one particular occasion as the group were going on stage for "The No Name Club" in Kilkenny, Billy was all ready for the stage, but had brown socks, not black. he said he had them in his hold-all and went off to change. It transpired later that Gerry Taylor, our 'lighting expert' sat for the evening at his lighting console in his socks.... Billy must have been one of the longest serving members of the church Choir. He served his 'apprenticeship' to the real Santa Claus and caused consternation in many households for many Christmases!! In a grave side oration, the Chairman of the Co Football Board, P.T Savage, went through Billy's life span in which he was twice widowed. "Despite such heartbreak his lighthearted nature and his zest for life enabled him to get on with living, and he was as a result an excellent father to Joanne, Fiona, Michael and Martin. Billy came form a staunch republican back-ground and during the 'Troubles' in the early years of the last century his family was left homeless as a result of the actions of the occupation forces. The Kelly's were no quitters - they bounced back an for many years the Crescent, Patrick Street, was one of the most imposing residences in the area. In latter years billy was to be seen daily in St Patricks Street either chatting to the locals or trying the impossible - to beat the "bookies" in the shop which Jameson Bookmakers had leased from Billy himself. Previous to that Billy had run many successful businesses in the Patrick Street home and was never afraid to diversity if the occasion presented. Billy also had successful term of employment with Triplex Ireland and Kelly & Gleeson Concrete where he worked as a salesman." Speaking of Billy's sporting talents Mr Savage said that "the word 'Laoch' aptly describes the standing of Billy Kelly in Templemore and JK Bracken GAA circles. Billy played hurling and football with distinction for almost three decades winning a county junior football medal with Eire Og in 1957, replicated in 1972 when Templemore Eire Og defeated Toomevara in the County Final. he also won a number of Mid Tipperary Senior Football awards but Ardfinnan denied Billy of a county senior medal in the County Final of 1963. Billy own Mid Junior Hurling awards with Collegehill in 1954 and Templemore Kickhams in 1961. He was a permanent fixture on Tipp Senior Football teams for over a decade manning the square. He had his greatest hour in the blue and gold singlet in 1958 when Tipperary almost topped the mighty Kingdom losing in the end by 1-6 to 0-7 in Thurles. The Mid Board of the GAA honoured Billy in 2001 when he joined many of the "Greats" in their 'Hall of Fame', an award much cherished and richly deserved. In 2004 Billy was honoured by Loaochra Sean-Gael committee." Mr Savage continued "This week we say goodbye to one of Tipperary's finest. He was a lighthearted, entertaining individual who lit up many an occasion with some great songs and Templemore and Patrick St., will be poorer in his absence. I pray that the green sod of his beloved Templemore will rest lightly on his noble remains." Sincere sympathy is extended to Joanne, Fiona, Michael and Martin, daughter-in-law Zina, sisters Sarah and Maura, brother Michael, brother-in-law Brendan, grandchildren Sean and Blaithin, nephews, nieces relatives and a large circles of friends who will all miss him so much. Huge crowds came to pay their last respects to Billy at both the removal of remains from Grey's Funeral Home and the Requiem Mass and funeral, with former hurling and football comrades and friends in GAA circles lining the route to form a guard of honour. May he now rest in peace, and as mentioned at his funeral we are now sure that in Heaven he is joined by all his friends who have been waiting for him to 'get the show on the road'. Courtesy of The Tipperary Star 16/09/2006 Tweet

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