GAA legends turn out in large numbers to bid a final farewell They came from far and wide to express their deepest sympathy to the family of the late Sean Purcell who was buried yesterday. Footballers from every generation arrived in Tuam for what turned out to be a 'who's' who' of Gaelic football. As the body of Sean Purcell was reposing in the Oratory of St. Jarlath's College, the stars of football of the game arrived in big numbers to express their deep regret over the death of a legend. Sean's sons John and Robert, daughters Mary, Ruth, Frances and Louise, his brother Frank and sister Maura deeply appreciated the expressions of sympathy which they received over the past five days since 'The Master' passed away last Saturday. GAA President Sean Kelly along with Director General of the GAA Liam Mulvihill were present along with a number of former Presidents like Sean McCague from Monaghan, Paddy Buggy from Kilkenny and Jack Boothman from Wicklow while incoming President Nickey Brennan from Kilkenny was also there. Legendary football stars were in plentiful supply at both the removal and funeral and these included former Dubs manager and player Kevin Heffernan, Kerry stars Mick O'Connell, Mick O'Dwyer (who arrived by helicopter) and Tom Long. Cork manager and former goalkeeper Billy Morgan arrived to pay their respects along with Roscommon's Gerry O'Malley of whom Sean Purcell once described as one of the toughest players ever to mark. Down players Sean O'Neill, who won All-Ireland medals in 1960, 61 and 68, and George Glynn, originally from Kilconly, who played in the 1968 final travelled the long journey to pay his respects. Many of the team from the 1956 All-Ireland Galway winning side were also present and it was ironic that the half back line of Jack Kissane, Jack Mahon and Mick Greally all turned up at St. Jarlath's around the one time while the numbers 12 and 13 on that team Billy O'Neill and Joe Young were also there. Long time friend Seamus Colleran from Tuam, who was a sub on the 1956 team and played on the 1959 side which was captained by Purcell but lost to Kerry, was present for each of the three days of the mourning as well as Michael 'Huleen' McDonagh, wing forward on the '59 team, and Paddy Dunne, who came on as a sub. Unfortunately the other half of the Terrible Twins, Frank Stockwell, who was extremely upset when he learned of The Master's death, was not well enough to attend the funeral but he listened to the church ceremony on the parish radio network. Corner back on the 1956 team, Sean Keeley was present at the removal. It was appropriate that when the coffin was taken the short journey from St. Jarlath's College to Tuam Cathedral, it was shouldered by two of the giants of Tuam and Galway football, Cyril Kelly - a sub on the '56 team - and Mick Garrett, a midfield star of the three-in-row era. From the 1947 St. Jarlath's Hogan Cup winning side were, Timmy McHale, who went on to play for Tyrone and is now living in Lahinch and Fr. Colm Canavan among others. Other well known Galway footballers to attend the funeral included Noel Tierney, MArtin Newell, Pat Donnellan, John Donnellan, John and Tommy Keenan, Sean Cleary and Bosco McDermott. Players who played on the three Galway teams of the 'seventies who lost All-Ireland finals also turned out in big numbers. It was around the same period that Sean Purcell served as Galway Football Board Chairman. Well known players like Jimmy Duggan, Billy Joyce, Joe Waldron, Mick Judge, his good friend John Tobin, Liam Sammon, Declan Smyth, Gay McManus and Johnny Hughes came to pay their respects. Galway manager Peter Forde, former manager John O'Mahony and former Mayo manager John Maughan were there as was former Mayo stars John Nalled, Willie Casey form Ballina and Anthony Finnerty. Roscommon goalkeeper, Shane Curran, was one of the first to express his condolences to the family. Football stares for the 'eighties, 'nineties and the present day also came to pay their respect including Barry Brennan, Val Daly, Tomas Tierney, Ray Silke, Padraic Joyce, Declan Meehan, Michael Donnellan, Tuam's Jarlath Fallon of who Sean Purcell had a huge regard for as a player, among many, many others. Former Dublin star and former Roscommon manager Tommy Carr, who is married to Sean's daughter Mary, was in Tuam for the duration of the funeral ceremonies. Courtesy of the Connacht Tribune September 2005. Tweet

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