Decies legend dies

WATERFORD bade farewell at the weekend to one of its greatest sporting legends, All-Ireland hurling hero John Kiely of Dungarvan.

The 77-year-old, a member of the last Waterford team to win the All-Ireland title in 1959, died at the Waterford Regional Hospital following a period of illness.

Universally acknowledged as one of the greatest hurlers ever to don the Waterford jersey, he is also one of only two players to win two All-Ireland senior medals. The other was the late Philly Grimes of Mount Sion.

They both played in the first round of the 1948 Munster championship against Clare and so qualified for an All-Ireland medal which the Decies won with victory over Dublin.

In his long career Kiely played mainly with the Dungarvan club but also won junior championship honours with Brickey Rangers and Éire Óg.

The huge attendances at his funeral on Saturday included most members of the 1959 All-Ireland winning team. A huge turnout of GAA officials was headed by county chairman Paddy Joe Ryan. Mr Kiely is survived by his wife Biddy, two sons and three daughters.