A republic this may be, but there was a royal funeral in Ventry yesterday — footballing royalty but royalty nonetheless, the funeral of Rí an Ríocht, Páidí Ó Sé.

Amid emotional scenes, a hush descended on the crowd as the remains of Páidí Ó Sé were removed from his home to Ventry Church, scarcely 100 metres across the road.

The GAA had lost one its greatest ambassadors, with the untimely death of Páidí Ó Sé, mourners heard.

A man with a giant heart, Páidí Ó Sé is an irreplaceable loss in Ard a’ Bhothair, writes Diarmuid O’Flynn

It was the kind of send-off he would have loved — a packed house, music, humour, sporting people, and, most importantly of all, friends from all over the country.

He was a mortal after all.

Days in Ruislip are about so much more than goals and points and wins and losses.

HE was known as “Pio”.

The sense of shock at the sudden death of one of Kerry’s greatest footballers, multi-All-Ireland medal winner Páidí Ó Sé, has transcended the world of the GAA.