A tribute to Michael "Sonny" O'Brien When we sent "Sonny" O'Brien best wishes here, we didn't expect at the time he would be taken from us so quickly. While Sonny was laid to rest club members formed a guard of honour as they paid their last respects and his coffin was draped in the colours of his club he had served so faithfully. Eddie Cunningham delivered the following final tribute at the graveside: "It is an honour for me, on behalf of Tullow GAA Club and on my own behalf to say a few words in appreciation of the life of Michael Sonny O'Brien and what he meant to all of us how had the privilege of knowing him. Sonny's deeds were many and varied but could be categorised into three sections, namely, the love of his family and home, his work and his recreational activities which were mainly his immense contribution to and involvement in Cumann Luthchleas Gael. As we are gathered here today in unity with Molly, Teresa and John Paul we are all well aware of how devoted he was to each one of them and though his passing will be a huge burden to them, they can take great comfort from the many happy times they spent together. Through his many working years in O' Brien's garage, Sonny was a well known and respected figure not alone in his native Tallow but by many customers from far away. His warm and unassuming personality endeared him to all and sundry. Diligent at his work and in all that he did, he was a very popular member of staff and it was fitting and proper that former work colleagues formed part of the guard of honour to welcome home Sonny's remains last evening. One can only assume that in former days, along with his then colleagues Pat Joe Collins, Willie O'Brien and Francie Fitzgerald, many a sliothar was pucked and many a hurling game discussed. Sonny's contribution to the GAA in general and Tullow in particular was immense. Treasure for over thirty years, selector at club and county level, first aid man at a time when injury would be frowned on and his Volkswagen car available at all times to all teams regardless of the journey. Also during his tenure as treasurer, at a time when money was scarce, it's a well known fact that Sonny often contributed to the club from his own pocket and never sought reimbursement or reward in return - one of the real unsung heroes in the history of Tallow GAA, a team player indeed. Sonny's most remarkable contribution to Tallow GAA came in 1963, when along with others he had the foresight to see the advantages of the club owning its own field. He was one of ten loyal clubmen who put their hands in their pockets to pay the deposit in the purchase of our existing grounds. This is his legacy to us. Apart from the financial side of things, it was his vision to look to future generations which eventually came to fruition and in 1966 our victory at u16 level in the County final was the forerunner of many more to come. I have no doubt that the purchase of our own grounds was the real foundation stone on which those successes were built. It is people of the calibre of Sonny O' Brien who make any club or organisation strong. Those of us in Tallow who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him are only too well aware of the huge debt of gratitude we owe him. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Molly, Teresa and John Paul for allowing me to speak here today. On behalf of the C.L.G Tulach an Iarainn, I offer you our sincere sympathy. Ar dheis lamh De go raibh a anam dilis. Courtesy of The Avondhu 9 February 2006 Tweet

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