Connolly, John (Sean)
May 30, 2012He was also known as Johnny to most people in Dublin. John was born in Kerry on April 18, 1951 to Pat Joe and Hannah-May Connolly and was the eldest of 13 children - eight brothers and five sisters. He left school at the age of 14 in order to go out and make a few pound to help out his mother and the family.
He eventually came up to Dublin to train in the army, and met Mary Sheehan, a native of Sneem in South Kerry. They both fell for each other and never looked back and spent 26 happy years together. Shortly after being married they moved back to Kerry and spent four years in Killarda, Listowel. However, they then moved back to Dublin and lived there for the last 31 in Firhouse and Kilnamanagh in Tallaght.
John had a great love of Kerry and regularly went down to visit his family in Ardoughter in Ballyduff. He enjoyed the craic in particular with his brothers and sisters.
The family 'Summer Holiday' in the past was often a trip down to both Ballyduff and Sneem.
As a GAA lover and sports enthusiast in general, John spent over 20 years playing adult hurling. He was a quick and hardy player who always gave better than the next man, despite being small in stature. He won three county championships down in Kerry with his local team in Ballyduff.
He went on to play for Kilmacud Crokes in Stillorgin for a few years and won an Intermediate League in 1978, before joining St Mark's in Tallaght, where he played until he was 40, winning junior leagues in 1990 and 1991. He later went on to coach juvenile and adult teams in St Marks. In recent times he took a keen interest in the Dublin hurling team and began to support them in their endeavours against the big hurling counties.
He loved following the Kerry football team and loved bringing his sons into Croke Park to see them play, especially if it was against the Dubs. He also enjoyed his trips to Croke Park on All-Ireland final day and always celebrated their victories. This would often involve a trip back home to spent time with his hometown natives.
He loved the bit of banter in the house with his sons, and sons' friends. The family home would often have both a Dublin and Kerry flag hanging out the window for the summer.
John was known to be a bit of a rogue and a character. He loved nothing more to do than wind people up and try and get a rise out of them. You were always guaranteed a bit of craic when on a night out with him, whether it be a family get together, a holiday outing or just a few pints down the local.
He loved a good old sing-song and often belted out The Rose of Tralee as his party piece. He was always good fun to be around and was a well liked man, despite all his roguery.
He was a proud family man. He was proud of his daughter and his sons and all of their achievements. He loved nothing better than to talk about his family and to tell people how they were getting on.
Only recently he was letting everyone know that his son Sean had become the National Marathon Champion. He instilled many good traits in his family to help them get on in life, and raised a good family. During the 80s, when times were tough, he spent two stints working in England, but eventually returned home.
He loved his mother, his father, his brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews very much. He was always very good to them as they were to him. He adored his four grandchildren James, Alex, Daniel and Ethan. They brought so much joy into his life over the last few years.
They'd often sit at the kitchen table together and just looked happy out. He loved his brothers and sisters in law. He loved Annette's husband Smylian, and his parents and loved his trips to Bulgaria with them and the three kids.
Later he came to love Declan's partner Naomi as well as her son Jake.
The love of his life was Mary. He reckoned he won her in a Lucky Bag. At the time Mary was a student nurse who hailed from Sneem. They married in 1976 and were proud parents of five children. They loved each other very much and together they made a great team. They spent many happy years together and enjoyed their many trips abroad and around the country over the last few years. Their fond memories of these trips will be cherished by Mary. They had a great life together and can be happy and proud in all they have achieved.
Aged 61, John passed away suddenly on Saturday May 19 in Tallaght Hospital. He did so peacefully and was surrounded by family. His remains reposed at his home on Tuesday May 23rd with removal to St Mary's Priory in Tallaght village took place on Wednesday May 24. After Requiem Mass on Thursday May 25 he was buried in Newlands Cemetery.
John is sadly missed by his wife Mary, daughter Annette, sons Declan, Trevor, Sean and Brian, his four grandchildren James, Alex, Daniel and Ethan, his twelve brothers and sisters, his many nieces and nephews as well as his many wonderful friends, neighbours and extended family.
May his soul rest in peace.
- Courtesy of The Kerryman, 30th May 2012 Tweet
