HUGE CROWDS HAVE gathered in Ventry today to pay their respects at the funeral of Kerry football legend Páidí Ó Sé.
The 57 year-old died suddenly at his home in the West Kerry village last Saturday morning.
The mourners were lead by his wife Máire, and their three children, Neasa, Siún and Pádraig Óg.
His daughter Neasa read a poem at the start of the Mass before former Munster rugby legend Mick Galway and GPA spokeperson Sean Potts were amongst those who brought items up to the altar.
In an emotional speech at the end of the service in Ventry Church, Pádraig Óg spoke of his hope that he can become much closer to his father following his sad passing.
“On behalf of the Ó Sé family, I give thanks to everyone for their support. It’s difficult to think of a story about Páidí as there is so many to tell. Every passing story of Páidí brings a smile.
“People reflect on Páidí being a great footballer, manager, character and publican. For me he was a big family man, who was very good to people around him.
“I was very close to my father. And after a brief chat with a famous Tyrone manager, I am now told I can be much closer than him. That’s what I’m hoping for and that everyone else who knew Páidí now can do that as well.”
The death of Ó Sé, who won eight All-Ireland senior football medals with Kerry as a player and two as a manager, drew a large crowd from the GAA community to the requiem mass.
Legendary manager Mick O’Dwyer, who was at the helm during Ó Sé’s inter-county playing career, was present along with former Kerry teammates Eoin ‘Bomber’ Liston, Mikey Sheehy, Jack O’Shea and Mickey Ned O’Sullivan.
The GAA was represented by the association’s president Liam O’Neill, director-general Paraic Duffy and director of games Pat Daly.
From the political world, former Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin were present. The President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Enda Kenny were represented at the mass by their respective Aide De Comp’s.
The graveside oration was delivered by Munster Council chairman Sean Walsh who concluded by stating, ‘May the Ventry sod rest lightly on this noble warrior and may the angels bear him gently to God’s happy playing field’.
Páidí Ó Sé’s daughters Neasa (left) and Siún are comforted by Páidí’s nephew Darragh. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire/Press Association Images.
Tributes
Luke Kelly’s brother Jimmy gave a rendition of Raglan Road at the funeral while several glowing tributes were paid to Páidí in speeches at the end of the Mass. Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh introduced each of the speakers which featured Páidí’s son Pádraig Óg and his close friend, the broadcaster Mícheál Ó Sé.
Páidí’s brother Tomás reflected on how proud the football legend was of his homeplace of Ventry.
“He’s delighted to see so many of his friends present. That’s all he wanted. He wanted to invite so many people to Ventry. He has his wish. He was so proud of Ventry.
“What did he enjoy? He enjoyed the football of course and he enjoyed politics. All his friends had what you’d call the X-Factor. They were specialists in some line. We’ll miss him of course. He was a great character and we’ll remember the yarns.”
Páidí’s three nephews Darragh, Tomás and Marc – who followed in his footsteps by winning All-Ireland senior medals with Kerry – also gave speeches where they recalled their fond memories of the character that was their uncle.
Darragh Ó Sé:
“One story he loved telling was when he forgot the togs in the 1984 final against Dublin. He had his piseogs and had to wear his own togs. Beatrice (his mother) was on the ball of course and the togs were sent up to Kinsealy to his friend CJ’s (Haughey) house.
“Joe Keohane, who was a selector at the time, went with Páidí to collect the togs and the plan was to join up with the team at Croke Park. As they were going towards the ground, Páidí said ‘God Joe, I’ve no pass, how will we get through the traffic?’. To which Joe replied, ‘Patrick, if we want to, we can park this taxi on the 14-yard line. We’re from Kerry’. He loved telling that story.
“One of the quickest educations I myself got was when we went to the Canaries one time, where myself and Páidí were rooming together. There was no safe in the room and I wondered what we’d do with the few bob we had.
“He decided that we’d put it in to his washbag but said to take it in dribs and drabs. After a few days, I noticed the funds were being depleted at an awful rate. And I was having no craic while Páidí was having a whale of a time!”
Tomás Ó Sé:
“I’d give a special welcome for the lads from Westmeath. Páidí had a fierce grá for them. One the Westmeath lads told a great story last night. They were on the bus approaching Croke Park and Páidí was getting very excited before the match.“He started going onto the fella next to him that in the game he was going to have to be out in front of his man and first to the ball from the moment the game started. Then the fella turned to him and said, ‘Paidi, I’m the physio!’
Marc Ó Sé:
“He was a massive inspiration to all of us and a great family man. He lived for Neasa, Siún and Pádraig Óg. And he was delighted when Pádraig won the Corn Uí Mhuirí last year. I think he gave real meaning to the word legend.
“His friend Tom Daly invited us over once to a dinner dance in Old Trafford. When Páidí met Alex Ferguson at it, he gave him his book (Páidí’s autobiography) and said, ‘Alex, give that an auld read there!’. He was a huge influence on us, even when dad passed away. We all looked up to him. We’re going to miss him but we’re never going to forget him.”
