The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Leahy pays tribute to late Georgie O’Callaghan
FAI CHIEF ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES A MAN HE DESCRIBES AS ‘A LEGEND’
CHRISTY Leahy Park in Tralee was named in honour of a Tralee man with strong Castleisland connections.
Christy knew Georgie O’Callaghan since they were children and he sent the following tribute about his near lifelong friend:
“Many people have spoken highly of Georgie O’Callaghan. All richly deserved plaudits. I have known Georgie for many years as I first met him when I spent some of my holidays, with my aunt Maggie Deane who lived in Knockeen, Castleisland. This was back in the days before soccer was heard of in Kerry.
“I have met George many times since then and he was always proud of his players.
“In recent years when the Kerry District League needed ball boys for their SSE Under-17 Airtricity games Georgie volunteered his under-age players for the task.
“He would arrive with six players to do job at all the home games.
“Castleisland Soccer Club, and the Kerry District League have lost one of the most dedicated men involved in the sport in “Kerry.
It was pleasure to know him for so long. The words legend, and, Georgie O’Callaghan are the perfect partnership. May he rest in peace.”
Football Association of Ireland Chief Executive John Delaney has also paid tribute to the late Mr O’Callaghan:
Mr O’Callaghan passed away on Tuesday morning. He was the founder of Kerry’s Castleisland AFC, and was one of the most well-known and respected football figures in The Kingdom.
“I knew Georgie very well, and counted him as a good friend,” said Delaney.
“Legend is a word that gets thrown about too much, but Georgie was the epitome of one. With over four decades of football experience under his belt in the region, there wouldn’t be many players that didn’t come into contact with him at one point or another. He was a father figure of football in Kerry, and will be sorely missed.”
Georgie will be remembered later this year at a senior international match in the Aviva Stadium