Fr Cyril Haran played huge role in Sligo GAA circles
PRIEST ALSO REMEMBERED AS RENOWNED SCHOLAR AND TEACHER
Fr Cyril Haran, a retired parish priest from Grange, died last week.
The 83- year- old was heavily involved in the local community, particularly in sporting circles.
Fr Cyril led St Mary’s to their first county senior title and they also became the first club in Sligo to win a Connacht title back in 1977.
He managed numerous Gaelic and soccer teams, including the Sligo senior squad for three seasons during the 1980s. He also coached Roscommon Gaels. He was highly regarded as a scholar, and author, and taught English in Summerhill College, where he was hugely popular.
Close friend Eddie Sheehan recalled a man that was very fond of literature.
He said: “He was highly regarded as a scholar and teacher in Summerhill College.
“He had a great command of language and wrote many very worthy articles, including for the Diocesan magazine.
“Those who had the privilege of being taught by him had good stead throughout their lives.
“He was a wonderful character, cherished by all.
“He loved all aspects of community life and he spent many happy days out on the bay fishing. “He will be sadly missed.” John Kent was a member of the St Mary’s team when Fr Cyril started coaching and he was a student of his in Summerhill College.
He said: “Fr Cyril took over the soccer team which I was a member of and he brought us all over the place.
“We represented Ireland in France at the schools championships, we went to England a few times and we also played the Glasgow Celtic Youths.”
The priest organised a mini- bus and drove the group from Liverpool to Glasgow for the match.
“We went to a Billy McNeill testimonial and the late Sean Fallon organised tickets for the game. “That was one of many trips. “Fr Cyril was a great man, he brought something new and different to St Mary’s when he became involved.
“The club had been knocking on the door for a number of years, he changed the game preparation.
“I guess as a player, his greatest asset was that he made a player feel that noone was better than them.
“We remained friends after he went to Grange. He had a great love of life, a people’s person.
“All the lads had great memories and a good few were at his funeral on Saturday.”
St Molaise Gaels, in a statement, paid tribute to their Club President and former coach.
“He also managed our own club senior team at the end of his sporting career, having started out his involvement with the club as a player in the 1940s.
“In addition to leaving his mark in sporting terms, Fr Cyril will be even more be remembered for being a great teacher and a minister of great spirituality, wit and wisdom.”
Fr Cyril retired as parish priest of Ahamlish, Grange in 2003 and lived in Streedagh since.
He was ordained a priest in 1956 and worked in St Muredeach’s College, Ballina, Summerhill College and also the University of San Diego in 1968.
He was a curate in numerous parishes, including Roscommon town, Sooey and Grange, before becoming parish priest of Ahamlish in 1997.
Fr Cyril died following a short illness on Wednesday in the North West Hospice.
He was predeceased by his sister, Grace Liddy.
He is survived by his sisters Margo ( Sligo), Sr Vickey Haran ( California), nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, religious community and a wide circle of friends.
Following funeral mass on Saturday in the Church of the Immaculate, Grange, burial took place in Sligo Cemetery.