The Late Harry Joe O'Connor Harry Joe O'Connor who has died aged 77 was a proud hurling man all his life who won four senior county medals with Ballyduff. His passing has deprived his home of Causeway of a friendly and much-loved presence. Born, bred and rooted in the North Kerry local all his life, Mr O'Connor was the son of Harry and Bridget O'Connor of Divis House, Dromkeen West, Causeway. He died on Thursday December 9 at Kerry General Hospital following a protracted illness. His early years were spent on the family farm - where one day he would raise his own family - at St Brendan's Seminary, Killarney and at the Green, Tralee. Those years were spent as the only lad among a family of five girls, Joan, Mai, Ina, Nora and Breda. Following his schooling, he became involved in the agricultural sector full time and began work in the field of artificial insemination. The work took him all over the north of the county and it was to prove of invaluable experience when he joined the civil service as a agricultural officer in 1970. Mr O'Connor married Joan O'Driscoll, from Ardert, on September 6 1960, and the couple raised three children in Dromkeen West - Harry, Theo and Breda. Many happy years were spent on the family home where Mr O'Connor maintained a small diary herd. Family and work aside, the GAA was his greatest passion - in particular hurling and he enjoyed great success as full-back with Ballyduff in the late 1950s when the team won four county championship medals ( 1955, 1957, 1959, and 1960). Following his tenure with Ballyduff he joined homeside Causeway, with whom he continued to excel on the field. He also found time for the quieter pursuits and gardening was a particular favourite. A vegetable patch supplied his table with food for many years. Mr O'Connor also had a fondness for socialising and meeting with his many friends in Causeway village. In later years he took thorough enjoyment from playing cards, in particular 41. Sadly, Mr O'Connor was predeceased by wife Joan in 1986. He will be sadly missed by his children, daughters-in-law, Jacinta and Eileen and son-in-law, Tony. Courtesy of the Kerryman January 6th 2005 Tweet

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