‘Carnew hurlers are down a man tonight’

WILLIE HILLIARD’S popularity could easily be gauged given the outpouring of emotion on the RIP.ie website.

So sorry to hear the sad news of the death of Billy- a true legend. Deepest sympathy to all the Hilliard family on your sad loss. It was an honour and privilege for me in the 1960s to be a teammate of Billy on the Wicklow team and many the victory was achieved due to Billy’s genius and skill. May Billy’s gentle soul rest in peace.

Peter O’Dwyer

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Billy, he was my hero back in the day, RIP.

Pat Lee

Bray Emmets

Sincere sympathy to all the relatives and friends on Billy’s death. A real sportsman and a Carnew hero on many occasions.

Jimmy Dunne, Arklow

Sincerely sorry to hear of the passing of Willie Hilliard. A great servant of his native county, Wicklow. A loyal and true friend of mine. His name will always be mentioned when Wicklow hurling is discussed. May his soul rest in peace

Jackie Napier,

Bray Emmets

I am genuinely very sad to hear that my old friend and teammate Willie is no longer with us. On my fairly regular annual visits back to Carnew a visit to Willie was compulsory.

We spent many enjoyable hours going over old times and criticising what masquerades as football nowadays! At UCG, I played with some of the biggest names in the game and I can say in all honesty, that Willie was right up there with the best of them.

Even more importantly though, he was a thorough gentleman and it was a privilege to have him as a lifelong friend. I know he will be missed very deeply by Nuala and Tommy who were so good to him, and by the rest of his family. I had always intended to be there if he went before me and now, sadly, I can’t. I will be there in spirit. May he rest forever in peace

Paddy Nangle,

Boyle, Co. Roscommon

My deepest sympathy to the Hilliard family at this very sad time on the death of Billy. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Victor O’Shaughnessy Sorry to hear of the passing of Billy. A great sports man I had the pleasure of playing with. May he rest in peace.

Des Burton, Aughrim

So sorry to learn of the passing of Billy. Glad to have hurled in the Wicklow colours alongside him many times in the 60s and early 70s, a great man with the camán. Always got a goal when we wanted it, and a gentleman in every sense of the word. Rest in peace, Billy. My sincere condolences to the Hilliard family.

Tommy Morrissey

On behalf of Halfway House Bunclody GAA Club I’d like to express our deepest sympathy to all William’s family at this sad time. He managed our club to an Intermediate hurling championship in 1976. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

James Doyle Chairperson

Passed by his gate hundreds of times on the way to the field and he always had time for a chat and a small bit of gentle advice. An amazing GAA man but an even better person which says a lot. Sincere condolences to Tommy, Nuala and Susie. He’ll be sadly missed. May he rest in peace. Vincent O’Flaherty

Deepest sympathy to the family he was a great hurler and would have been on any team in Ireland

John Devlin, Rosslare

Sincerely sympathy to all of the Hilliard family on the passing of Billy. A great servant to Carnew and Wicklow GAA over many years. May he rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Thomas Keenan

Sincere sympathy to all the Hilliard family. Feel privileged to have played both with and against Billy. A wonderful sportsman with a lethal ciotog. May Billy rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.

Liam O’Loughlin, Aughrim

Sincere sympathy to all the Hilliard family on the passing of Billy. A great servant of his club Carnew and his native county Wicklow. A true sportsman, great memories. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Carnew GAA Club

Tommy, Nuala and family, deepest sympathy on the sad passing of Willie, the Carnew and Wicklow legend. Our community have produced many heroes but not many as great as Willie. He was known and appreciated far and wide as a gifted hurler but also as a thorough gentleman. Carnew hurlers are down a man tonight. May he rest in peace. Barry Brennan

Tom Coleman from Enniskerry was also in touch. Tom played with Willie on the 1964 Wicklow team and he was very keen to offer his heartfelt condolences to the Hilliard family.

Tom remembers Willie as a ‘very good player, a very keen player who always put his full endeavour into a match’,

Tom played with and against Willie Hilliard, facing him as foe when St Kevin’s of Bray met Carnew Emmets in the Senior hurling and then standing side by side in the Wicklow jersey.

Tom Coleman, Enniskerry