Cork jockey Michael O’Sullivan 'won the hearts of the Irish people', funeral told
Michael O'Sullivan’s funeral procession led by friends and family and one of his beloved horses outside St John the Baptist Church, in Lombardstown, Co Cork. Picture: Chani Anderson
Cork jockey Michael “Mikey” O’Sullivan packed more into his 24 years than most could pack into two lifetimes.
That was how the Cheltenham Festival-winning rider was remembered at his funeral on Wednesday by the chief celebrant, the Very Reverend Gerard Coleman.
Michael died as a result of the injuries he suffered in a fall at Thurles on February 6.
In a tribute at his Requiem Mass at St John the Baptist Church at Glantane, near Mallow, Fr Coleman said: “His parents couldn’t have wanted for a better son. They were so proud of the person he turned out to be.”
He also commended the “tremendous understanding” Michael had of his horses, which made him the great jockey he became.
Fr Coleman also praised the 24-year-old’s understanding of people.
“It was why he made such a lasting impression on people who knew him and why he won the hearts of the Irish people.”
His father, William, whose eulogy to his son opened the service, told mourners: “He led a full and active life, and was an avid Kilshannig GAA follower. And he loved rugby and followed Munster and Ireland.
“He also loved gigs and concerts and he had a wide group of friends. He was grateful for all the opportunities he got.”
He also said of his son's partner, Charlotte: “Behind every good man is a good woman. We are very grateful for the love they shared and the fun they had.”
His voice faltering as he drew to a close, he added: “While our hearts are broken, we will focus on what he would have wanted for us. He would have wanted us to find joy in the achievements of his cousins, and his friends.
“May you all stay safe. Michael will be forever in our hearts and minds.”
The service heard that Michael's family had had to make “the most difficult decision of their life” to donate their son’s organs “so others might live".
As well as figures from the world of racing, friends travelled from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Dubai.
Gifts brought up to the altar included his favourite pair of sunglasses, “to symbolise his love of life”, and his car keys, because he spent so much time in his car.
A Kilshannig GAA jersey and a set of headphones, symbolising his love of GAA and music, were also laid before the altar.
Lining the entrance to the churchyard before the service was a guard of honour made up of about 50 members— aged between seven and 18 — of Mr O’Sullivan’s pony club, the Duhallow Pony Club.
He won a number of awards there in 2013, including the President’s Cup and the Hunter Trials.
His hearse had also stopped outside Glantane National School, where pupils formed another guard of honour.
Commandant Claire Mortimer, of the Defence Forces, attended as a representative of Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Such was the interest among people wanting to attend that there were tailbacks of more than 3 km forming from routes into the remote rural village from around 9.30am.
The Cork native, who had just been a few days shy of his 25th birthday when he died, is survived by his parents Bernie and William, brother Alan, and his partner Charlotte.
He is also survived by his grandmother “Granny” Mary, aunts Kathleen, Marie, Anne, Marguerite and Marie and uncles Connie, Willie, Sean, Andy, Patsy, Eugene, Patrick and Michael.
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