Late Noel Smith

Like all others, I was shocked to learn of Noel’s death in Limerick last week.

He had retired only a year or so from Independent Newspapers and his unexpected passing cast gloom in the journalistic field - an area he had served with distinction for several decades.

A gifted pianist and linguist, I came to know Noel in the formative years of the Munster Press Golf Society and I had the pleasure of presenting him with my captain's prize in 1979.

He was to win two more in the next six years but these feats apart and there were many other successes as well my abiding memory was the encouragement and reassurance he gave at all times to other members, and particularly, to beginners in the sport.

Noel was given a fitting farewell on Saturday and it was indeed appropriate that his journalistic colleagues from all over the country should form a guard of honour at the funeral ceremonies.