McElligott, Richie
July 18, 2012The late Richie McElligott
1933-2012
Surrounded by his family, Richie McElligott of Convent View, Lixnaw, died peacefully at Cork University Hospital on Saturday, June 30, following a long illness, which he bore with great dignity and quiet determination.
Born on November 30, 1933, Richie was the youngest of three children of John and Bridget McElligott. Their infant son had to overcome pneumonia before growing into a strong and vigorous young lad.
As a boy and young man, he helped farm the family holding and enjoyed the associated daily and seasonal activities - milking the cows, setting the potatoes and saving the hay and turf. Strong and with great endurance, the hard physical nature of the work was no bother to him.
While never considered a talker, he loved the easy camaraderie with his father and friends and many happy hours were spent clamping a reek of turf while chatting with his father, also a county hurler in his younger days and with whom he had a very close relationship.
Whether as a builder or an employee of CIE, the fledgling Kerry Group in Listowel or the OPW's Land Drainage Division, Richie was always a diligent and committed worker.
While a man with a broad interest in sport, whether attending a coursing match, playing football with Finuge or watching and listening to sports on television or radio, Richie's passion was for hurling.
His hurling career started as a 15 year old with his beloved Lixnaw and continued for many decades as player, mentor and officer with club and county. As a fervent clubman, Richie would set aside his natural reluctance for public speaking and was forthright and direct but always spoke for the good of the club.
On the hurling field, his prodigious strength was matched with speed and a keen eye.
For much of his career a centre-half back, Richie won a county championship with Lixnaw in 1954 and was a county finalists on four other occasions.
An ever-present on Kerry hurling teams for a decade and a half, he won an All-Ireland Junior championship in 1961 and also four National Hurling League (Div. 2) medals - a feat almost unmatched in Kerry.
In 1959, his performances were recognised by selection on the victorious Munster Railway Cup panel where he joined greats of hurling - Ring, Jimmy Doyle, Jimmy Smyth, Michael Maher and the like.
In 1984, he was considered for selection on one of the Teams of the Century, though; in fact he felt that as the skills and styles of play varied greatly over time, comparing players from different eras was not entirely valid.
In 1966, he married Mary McCarthy and resided in the family home of his mother's people - the Gradys. His uncle was Steve Grady, himself a noted county hurler and administrator. Richie and Mary had three children, Johnnie, Dick and Eleanor of whom he was very proud.
Richie loved spending time with his family and was always ready to suggest a family trip at short notice and, of course, a visit to Dublin, Thurles, Cork or Limerick for a big match was also a regular feature. Through the years, Richie supported his children in their various interests.
His love of his own people and of Lixnaw was deeply rooted. Richie was involved in various projects to bring about the betterment of his local community.
At the graveside, that great of Kerry football and hurling, Johnny Culloty, spoke sincerely of his respect for Richie. He also spoke of the enjoyment and pride he had in being part of the Kerry hurling team of the 1950s and 60s - their camaraderie, their love of the game and their desire to achieve their best on the field.
The family would like to thank local doctors Fahy and Carroll and all at the Lixnaw Surgery; local pharmacist - Matt Fitzmaurice, the doctors, nurses and staff of Kerry General and Cork University hospitals and also Bru Columbanus for the home-from-home accommodation in Cork.
Sincere thanks also to Fr. Maurice Brick - a regular visitor - and the other funeral concelebrants Fr. O'Connell, Fr. Crean Lynch and Fr. Spring. Thanks to Karen Trench and the O'Sullivans brothers, whose singing enhanced the funeral services and to Noel Sheehy and his colleagues for their professional attention and help. Thanks also to Lixnaw Hurling club who provided the Guard of Honour and, finally, especially thanks to all his great friends and neighbours who helped and supported him and the family in various ways and to all who travelled long and short journeys to be with the family.
Richie will be sadly and greatly missed by his wife Mary and children Johnnie, Dick and Eleanor; his daughter-in-law Sarah and son-in-law Jerry; grandchildren Clodagh, Sinead, Conor, Mary, Steve and Richie; his sister Sheila and brother Moss; his extended family and all his loyal and true friends.
Courtesy of The Kerryman, July 18th, 2012. Tweet
