In truth there was a certain inevitability about the death on Wednesday of last week of Stradbally legend Sean Ahearne. He had been seriously unwell for some considerable time, but he never, ever, gave up fighting and battling against his terminal illness.

Finally however that battle was lost around mid day last Wednesday, and an entire county has been left to mourn the passing of one of the all time greats of Dise gaeldom who did his job spectacularly well - in the first instance as a player - and latterly as a football manager without comparison on the Deise club front.

It has been my pleasure and privilege to have known and befriended the peerless Sean Ahearne for decades rather than years. Never once had I a contrasting word with this most unassuming of individuals who will forever rank high in my book as one of the greatest dual players I have seen during my years in journalism.

If football was his first love - and it unquestionably was - he was every bit as skilful with a caman in his hand, and when you match that with his unblemished sportsmanship you truly had the most model player you would ever want to meet.

In his day Sean won three county senior football championships with his beloved Stradbally and the first of them in 1972 was rather special as he skippered the Reds to glory that day against a very fine Kill side. The other senior football title wins came in 1980 and 1982 when he starred alongside his brothers Robin and Tom.

In 1987 he took on the dual role of player/manager with the club's senior footballers, and would remain at the managerial helm with them virtually to the end of his all too premature days in this life.

Unless I'm well wide of the mark Sean also won an overdue county junior hurling championship medal with the Reds in 1974 and went on to take managerial charge of Stradbally teams that won both the County Under 21 hurling and football title before turning his undivided attention to the senior footballers. The rest, as they would correctly say, is unrivalled history.

His time as principal of St. Declans Community School in Kilmacthomas was equally distinguished and it was when he was forced into early retirement through illness that people came to fully appreciate just what he meant to that particular educational establishment. Today it enjoys a state of flourishment that is due in very significant measure to the trojan and talented input of this remarkable son of Brenan.

Sean's remains were removed to Ballylaneen Church on Saturday evening and following the funeral Mass on Sunday last he was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery. On both occasions they came literally from the highways and the byways to pay their final respects and farewells to a man whose esteem and popularity encompassed every sector of society. They were, in anyone's language remarkable final tributes to a quite outstanding man whose passing has so deeply saddened us all.

A movingly beautiful and very personal, graveside oration was delivered by county board chairman and of course Stradbally club colleague Tom Cunningham.
Myself and many thousands of more with me will retain the fondest memories of Sean Ahearne both on and off the field. He truly was one of nature's gentlemen, and the world he has now so prematurely departed has left us all sadder and poorer without his affable presence. Thanks a bunch for the memories Sean, they will last a lifetime and more with all of us.

To his heartbroken wife Bridget (she is a sister of former Clare goalkeeper Seamus Durack) his daughter Claire, his sons Robbie and Barry, his brothers Robin and Tom, his sister Angela, and all of the other members of the extended Ahearne family including his beloved grandchildren, our heartfelt sympathy if extended. Go ndeine Dia trcaire ar a anam dilis.

- Courtesy of the Waterford News & Star 6th December 2011 Tweet

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