The late John 'Walla' O'Connor Strand Road and Kerry were in mourning with news of the death of John 'Walla' O'Connor. John or 'Walla' as he was known to all, had started at full back for the blue and white of Strand Road and the green and gold of Kerry. He gave many starring and sterling performances on the field of play in the quest of honours for his club and county. A stylish and fearless holder of the Number three shirt, Walla played with and against some of the best footballers of his era. He was a naturally gifted footballer who won many honours and those honours rested lightly on his shoulders. Of a quiet and easygoing disposition, never boastful of the glory years, Walla was welcomed in any company, even by some of those whom he had given a lesson to on the field while kicking the leather. Walla's prowess as a footballer was recognised from an early age. Having grown up in the heart of Strand Road, for he was born and reared in Ballyrickard, football was second nature to him. He was the eldest son born to Francie "The Barber" O'Connor and Hanna Maria Breen of Blennerville. If football was regarded by some as a pastime, for Walla it was a way of life. Educated by the Sisters of Mercy at Balloonagh, the CBS Edward Street and the Technical School, Moyderwell, it was during those formative years that he showed his class which was to be recognised later on. He made his senior debut, while still a teenager, in the county championship of 1942 for the blue and white of Strand Road, at the tender age of 16. The question was often asked, how come he was never heard of in the minor ranks? During the war years there was no All-Ireland minor championship, due to the shortage of fuel, hence minor football was not an option for Walla. Football was in the doldrums in Strand Road during this period and silverware was in short supply on the trophy board. But the hours of training and honing his skills in the Kerries, the Monastery pitch and Hanora O'Donnell's field were to be rewarded in the 1950s, which was surely the golden era of the Strand Road club. His perseverance was rewarded with a senior county championship medal in 1953. They beat Shannon Rangers with Walla filling the full back berth. Putting back to back championship titles is never easy, but the 1954 Bishop Moynihan Cup was once again with the blues, when they defeated Kenmare. That same year, 1954, Kerry contested three All-Ireland finals. Tralee had the distinction of providing all three captains for that year - with Walla captaining the Kerry Junior football team to victory. In 1955 the Kerins O'Rahillys Club (the club renamed after former club member Charlie Kerins who died in December 1944) was bidding for the elusive three-in-a-row. North Kerry proved to be the fly in the ointment and put paid to their dream. They suffered the same fate in the 1956 final losing by a single point to South Kerry. Re-grouping in 1957, Walla was to win his third senior championship when defeating St Brendan's in the final, after a spectacular semi-final, against South Kerry, that went to extra time in a replay and was seen by many as one of the best games of the 50s. There was heartbreak and rancour following the 1958 semi-final when South Kerry were awarded the game on a technicality. Walla hung up his boots in 1959 having given his best for the glory of his club and county. There was one medal which was absent from his collection - a senior All-Ireland with Kerry. He played in the National League with Kerry, making some very classy full-forwards, including Tom Langan of Mayo and Frankie Stockwell of Galway. They, among others, acknowledged that Walla was one of the most outstanding full-backs of his time and should have played on the championship teams. Many other sports and pastimes featured in Walla's life. No matter what it was, he was seen to excel, he was a class act. There was handball in the old alley in the Green where opponents featured a number of All-Ireland champions. The game of rings was enjoyed along with a pint in Ned Knightly's pub in Bridge Street. His cool temperament and accuracy meant he was seldom defeated. There was his love of dogs - greyhounds and Kerry Blues. One would often meet Walla walking the dogs around his old homestead or on the road to Cockleshell, where he had spent so many happy days as a young boy. Walla never moved far from the townland in which he was born. After finishing his education he started work in the old Boot Factory at the Basin. He gave over 42 years of service to the company, making many life long friends in the process. The love of his life was Margaret O'Suillivan from Curraheen, whom he first met at a dance in Camp in the 50s. They were married on Independence Day, 1961. Residing in Caherina for four years, Walla and Margaret moved to Rae Street, where they spent the next 40 years, happily ensconsed. They celebrated their sapphire wedding anniversary in 2006. If Walla was proud of the area from he came, he was even prouder of his wife and children. A great family man, he took a keen interest in their devlopment and supported each in any way he could. His son and namesake John played his part in the championship wins of the 50s. This was another chapter in the proud history of the O'Connor family. He was a man of action and few words, but the one liners would leave one wondering or in laughter having digested them. When the Blues lifted the County League title, there was no doubt that Walla was watching from his heavenly home. Prior to the match a minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect to his memory. He will be remembered forever as a True Blue. Walla died peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 22, having been ill for a short period. Here he was cared for and loved by his wife Margaret and family. He was waked at home prior to the removal of his remains on Friday November 24, 2006 from Gleasure's Funeral Home to St John's Church. The funeral cortege was led by a guard of honour from the Kerins O'Rahilly Club and former Kerry team-mates. Following Requiem Mass on Saturday morning his remains were brought to New Rath Cemetery for burial. The hearse was flanked once more by club members, team-mates and friends. Walla is survived by his loving wife Margaret, children Frank, Joan, Mary, Tom, John, Marguertie, Peter and David, brother Frank, sisters Nora and Dolores, sons-in-law, daughters -in-law, grandchildren, relatives and many friends. I liontar De go gcastar sinn. Courtesy of The Kerryman 06 December 2006 Tweet

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