Kelly, Johnny
August 19, 2010It was with sadness that the Gaels of East Kerry learned of the passing of John Kelly of Fossa after an illness borne with fortitude and good humour.
John was his club's current delegate to the East Kerry Board and was a selector with the East Kerry minor teams that won county titles in 1996 and 2004.
Born in Rossanean, Currow, in 1949 into a family of six boys and one girl, he was predeceased by his sister Mary (Sr. Dominic) and his brother David. John attended Coolick NS, Presentation Brothers College, Cork and St Camillus' College Westmeath. On leaving school, John worked in Pretty Polly, Killarney, McElligott's Hardware Store, Castleisland and Killarney Milk Suppliers from where he retired in recent years.
On their marriage in 1972, John and his wife Teresa Cronin of Killorglin settled into their new home at Aughacureen, Fossa and raised a family of three, Mairead, Shane and Tadhg.
John first played with Fossa in 1973. He was right corner forward on the Fossa junior team beaten in the 1979 final by Legion. In that game, John broke his leg but two years later he was back at right corner forward in the senior team which won Division 4 of the County League.
For over thirty years, John has been involved in coaching and mentoring Fossa teams of all ages from juvenile and senior. His successes in that role included the 1988 East Kerry Division 2 League title when his charges defeated neighbours Listry.
In 1994, John managed the Fossa minor team which defeated Duagh in Division 4 of the County Minor League. That success led to John's involvement with East Kerry and in 1996 he was a selector with the East Kerry Minor team that won the County Championship - a feat repeated in 2004.
In 2000, he was in charge of he Fossa/Listry combination that won the East Kerry Minor Championship.
Treasurer of Fossa GAA club for three years in the mid-1980s, John regarded it as a signal honour to have been selected as Ard Ri an Fhosaidh in the GAA Centenary year 1984.
His report with young people was a special talent which enabled him to bring out the best in young players and they returned that respect which John had for them by remaining firm friends after their football careers had ended. John was always quick to dispel disharmony and discord in the interests of the team and club.
He was loyal to all players- even those not in his charge- also he defended them against unfair criticism. He was loyal Kerry supporter and would not entertain criticism of any Kerry player, preferring instead of highlight each player's contribution to the game. He was highly regarded in Fossa Club and his most recent contribution was to preside at the official unveiling of the clubs dugouts.
Always in good humour, John enjoyed the banter that is a feature of good friends who are comfortable in each others company. He dealt with his illness in the same jovial and uncomplaining manner and up to his death, he enjoyed the company of loyal friends who visited him in his home.
Paying tribute to the late John, the chairman of the East Kerry Board Dermot Griffin said, "John Kelly had the qualities of a diplomat, he looked for the good and the positive in every argument and developed those aspects with a view to arriving at a good solution. John never spoke ill of anyone.
"I regard John's passing as the loss of a personal friend who was a great assistance to me and the GAA in East Kerry"
That John was held in high regard by so many sections of the community was evident at his large funeral. Fossa club senior and juvenile members were joined by East Kerry Board officers and selector colleagues along with former work colleagues from Killarney Milk Suppliers and many friends who formed a guard of honour.
May he rest in peace.
Courtesy of the Kerry Eye
19th August 2010 Tweet
