‘He had all the characteristics you would expect of a great priest’ – sadness on passing of Ardfert PP Fr Liam Comer
THERE was deep sadness in parishes throughout the Kerry Diocese where Fr Liam Comer had earned deep affection through his compassionate ministry over the years.
Fr Comer passed away on Saturday following a long battle with illness. Latterly Parish Priest of Ardfert, Fr Comer had also ministered in Kilmoyley from 1991 to 1998, in Allihies from 1998 to 2008 and in Dromtarriffe/Dromagh from 2008 to 2016 before his return to North Kerry.
Beloved by all, he was remembered this week as a man of great humour who inhabited the work of the priesthood to its fullest and who touched many lives. He also counted among his friends Manchester United legend Nobby Stiles - from his years in the Salford Diocese.
His funeral was held privately this week, but can be seen now on the diocese website.
Close colleague and dear friend Fr Brendan Walsh, Parish Priest of Causeway/Ballyduff, said he really got to know the Clonakilty native well after Ballyheigue lost its resident priest.
“Fr Liam, Fr Denis O’Mahony in Abbeydorney and I worked very closely together covering Ballyheigue and I got to know him very, very well. He was just a wonderful man and I can honestly say that he had every characteristic you would expect of a great priest in abundance,” Fr Brendan told The Kerryman. “He was a man of prayer firstly, but he was also a people’s man and related so well to people of all ages, whether it was going into schools to meet the children or visiting the sick and elderly. He left a deep impression on everyone.
“This was brought home to me when I took over his communion duties after he became ill. Everywhere I went people would ask ‘when is Fr Liam coming back?’ and would speak about him with such deep affection. In fact I remember one day after his illness had become apparent when the children of the school in Ardfert wrote him a slew of cards, everyone so sincere for the priest they held in great affection.”
Humour was also one of his great traits - never on greater display than when it came to sporting banter. Fr Liam became a fervent Man United supporter in his first ministry in Salford Parish for which he was ordained in 74.
When he met passionate Liverpool fan Fr Brendan, the pitch was set for endless banter. “We had great banter alright, he was that kind of a man. He was simply one of the greatest priests I ever worked with and he will be sorely missed by all of us.”
Lifelong friend Fr Jimmy Doyle remembers well how chanced brought them together on day one of the seminary. “In 1966 I was at the All-Ireland hurling final between Kilkenny and Cork. The minor final that day was between Cork and Wexford and it was the full forward for Cork who really stood out for me that day. You couldn’t miss him with a shock of red hair and he was about 14 stone, though quite athletic, scoring two goal and one point.
“It ended in a draw but he didn’t play in the replay and I remember as the name, C-o-m-e-r, really stood out to me. I’d never heard it before. Anyway, two years later I went into St Patrick’s College seminary in Carlow. When I looked at the room list I saw I was rooming with a Comer...when he walked in I knew him straight away!”
It was the start of a lasting friendship, the pair together among the five who were ordained in Carlow Cathedral in 1974. “Liam was ordained for the Salford diocese and of course he became a massive Man Utd fan, becoming very friendly with Nobby Stiles. In fact Nobby Stiles’s sister-inlaw Maureen Stiles came over to see Liam recently. He was a great priest. A very genuine man who loved the work and who loved helping people.”