A packed house pays tribute to hero, king

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.

Since his sudden passing on Saturday, Páidí Ó Sé has been described as a hero and a king, and his funeral in his native Ventry yesterday was conducted, fittingly, with style and dignity.

For over an hour prior to the funeral Mass at noon, people were gathering outside the church in Ard a’ Bhothair. Sports stars of yesteryear, politicians, and musicians mingled with swelling crowds, all swapping memories and stories of the 57-year-old football great.

An estimated 2,000 people attended, including hundreds who stood in the churchyard for 90 minutes.

President Michael D Higgins was represented by Col Brendan McAndrew and Taoiseach Enda Kenny by Comdt Michael Treacy.

The GAA was represented by its president Liam O’Neill and director general Paraic Duffy.

Many sporting luminaries paid respects, including Kerry footballers Mick O’Connell, Ger Power, Jack O’Shea, Tommy Doyle, Seamus Moynihan, Ogie Moran, Paudie Lynch, Mikey Sheehy, Pat Spillane, Eoin Liston, Tom Prendergast, Seamus Mac Gearailt, Paul Galvin, and Tom Prendergast; rugby international Mick Galwey, and golfer Christy O’Connor Jr, to name just a handful.

There, too, were John Lynch and Kevin McCabe from the Tyrone 1986 team.

Among the early arrivals was Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin. Former taoiseach Brian Cowen and Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte were present.

Mr Cowen was among an Offaly group that included Matt Connor and Seamus Darby, members of the county’s 1982 All-Ireland winning team that deprived Kerry and Páidí of a historic five-in-a-row.

“I spoke to him on the phone about 10 days ago and we were going to meet around Christmas. I always loved meeting him. He had universal appeal,” Mr Cowen said.

“He was a unique individual and you’d always be in better form after meeting him. He was a force of nature who never did things by half. He always looked at the positive side no matter what way things were going.”

Mr Rabbitte recalled with a chuckle a day in 1995 when he helped Páidí with the first draft of his application for the post of manager of the Kerry team, while walking on Ventry beach for three or four hours.

Christy O’Connor Jr got to know Páidí, who was not a golfer, while holidaying in the area.

“I took him out playing golf once and I broke the putter he had the same day. He gave me a terrible look and I thought he was going to kill me, but we became great friends.

“Some time later, he presented me with a beautiful gold tiepin with a broken putter.”

* The Irish Examiner has had a phenomenal response to an article by sports editor Tony Leen, reminiscing on Páidí.

Read ‘An especially dark night in Ard a’ Bhothair’ here