Loving husband and father
Sean McElligot, Beheenagh,
SEAN McElligot of Beheenagh, Knocknagoshel, passed away peacefully in the University Hospital Kerry on January 9.
Sean was born on June 18 1935, and was one of six children who were born to Jack and Mai McElligot of Knockbrack, Knocknagoshel.
Sean attended Knockbrack school and later attended Kelly’s secondary school; after this, he emigrated to England and spent two years working in construction. While in Birmingham, he played football for both Finbarrs and the Emmetts.
After his return from Birmingham, he played with Knocknagoshel and Castleisland Desmonds from 1957 to 1959 in the County Championships. On September 18 1959, he set sail for the United States of America from Cobh. On arrival, he worked in construction for many years.
In Gaelic Park, he met the woman he would marry and spend the rest of his life with, Joanne O’Connor from Kenmare.
They had three children in Bridget, John and Joan.
Throughout his life, he had fantastic love for Gaelic Football; he lived very close to Gaelic Park and that’s where he gave all his spare time, training and playing football for the Kerry team in New York.
He wore the green and gold of Kerry with great distinction at left full-back from 1959 to 1967 where he won five New York championship medals in 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963 and 1966.
He was chosen as a member of the New York football team which made the first ‘Round the World’ tour in 1964; in addition, he won two national league medals with New York, the first in 1964 against Dublin and the second in 1967 against Galway.
His greatest honour was when he captained the New York football team in the 1963 National League final against his native Kerry team in Croke Park.
On the day, Kerry proved too good for New York and won on a score of 1-10 to Kerry to 1-8 for New York; Sean’s late father, ‘Old’ Jack McElligot, also played for Kerry from 1903 to 1913.
On the fifth of September 1973, Sean returned to his native Knocknagoshel and took up farming. He had interests and hobbies such as hunting, fishing and playing cards.
He loved listening to Radio Kerry, especially when Kerry played; he also enjoyed a pint or two in the village with many of his friends. He had a great sense of humour and wherever he might be, there was always good craic and a story to be told.
His loss leaves a huge void in the lives of his family, but memories of his love and kindness will forever remain.
Sean was predeceased by his two brothers, Tom and Mossie; he will be sadly missed by his loving wife Joan, son John, daughters Bridget and Joan, sisters Kathleen, Theresa and Eileen, daughter in law Rhonda, sons in law Donal and Aeneas, brothers in law, sisters in law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
May he rest in peace.