One of the great hurling goalkeepers of his generation, Waterford's Ned Power died peacefully at his home at Willowbrook, Tallow, after a protracted illness. He was aged seventy eight. Ned was a native of Dungarvan for whom he played for many championship seasons until he transferred to Tallow in the 1950s to become principal of the local national school. His finest hurling hour came in 1959 when he played a starring role between the posts for Waterford in their epic All-Ireland final replay victory over Kilkenny to bring the coveted Liam McCarthy Cup to the Decies for only the second, and to date, the last time. He went on to win another Munster championship with Waterford in 1963 but suffered the disappointment of an unlucky All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny that same year. His other honours in the county jersey include National League, Oireachtas and Railway Cup wins, while he wrote himself into Deise GAA history when he lined our in goal for Tallow and helped the club to land a county junior championship title when he was in his mid fifties. His eagle eye and magnetic like hand were among his finest goalkeeping attributes throughout a glittering career in which he always exemplified the highest standards in sportsmanship. He went on to become hugely successful in a coaching sphere and was in many ways the pioneer of today's high profile coaching system. He coached Tallow teams at every level from juvenile ranks up and was coach to their county senior hurling championship winning teams of 1980, 1984 and 1985. He was also involved in a similar capacity with Waterford teams at virtually every level. Another Tallow stalwart, Eddie Cunningham, who was involved with him for those three senior hurling title wins, said that Ned Power was a man before his time in the matter of coaching. "He coached teams all over the county and far beyond, always bringing his vast knowledge of the game into play, and he was at the coaching helm when countless clubs landed county championships under him and because of him". said Mr. Cunningham. "His likes will never be seen again". A revered figure within Tallow gaeldom, the club paid him the signal honour of naming its refurbished grounds in his honour. Sadly however Ned will not now be present when Pairc Eamonn De Paor is officially opened early next year. "Waterford has lost a true hurling legend, a man whose contribution to the county in a whole variety of ways can never be overstated", county board secretary Seamus Grant said in a generous and richly deserved tribute to Ned. "As a goalkeeper he was without equal in his day, as a coach he was second to none also, and as a person he was all that you would ever want a human being to be", said Mr Grant. "His place in the annals of Waterford gaeldom is assured". The final farewell to Ned was both poignant and fitting as he was laid to rest in his adopted town of Tallow on Saturday in the presence of more than 1,500 mourners. He was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery following Concelebrated Mass in the packed local parish church. The GAA presence was overwhelming and included Pat Daly, the Games Development officer at Croke Park and a Tallow native who was also a former pupil of Ned Power at the local school. Waterford County Board representation was headed up by chairman Pat Flynn and secretary Seamas Grant, while former Kilkenny hurling star and GAA President Paddy Buggy also attended and recited the Hurlers Prayer at the conclusion of the Mass. Most of Ned's 1959 All-Ireland final colleagues attended including the captain Frankie Walsh, and among many former greats was Kilkenny's Eddie Keher. Legendary gaelic games commentator Miceal O Nuircheartaigh was also there as was the current Waterford hurling team manager Justin McCarthy. The GAA's Central Council was represented by Seamas O'Brien while Sean Fogarty represented the Munster Council in the unavoidable absence of chairman Jimmy O'Gorman who visited the Power home however on the previous day to tender his condolences. As the coffin was borne to the church it was draped in the blue and gold colours of the Tallow club, and beside it was Ned's goalkeeping jersey worn by him with such pride and distinction in that 1959 All-Ireland final triumph. Goalkeepers, local club members, GAA officials at both county and divisional level, and former hurling colleagues provided a guard of honour. Family friend and relative, Fr John Campion of Castletroy in Limerick, was the chief celebrant of the Concelebrated Mass, and in a moving tribute spoke of Ned Power as a man who had lived his faith and shared it with so many. "His motto always was", said Fr Campion, "Do the right thing". Fr Campion said Ned was an outstanding educator in his role as principal of the local national school. A great All-Ireland champion, he lived what he preached and had impacted so very positively on the lives of countless people in all walks of life. At the conclusion of Mass, and following a recitation of the Hurlers Prayer by Paddy Buggy, Ned's daughter Patricia thanked everyone for their support of the family in a difficult time for them. A graveside oration was delivered by Pat Daly who spoke of the massive contribution Ned had made to the Association in a multiplicity of ways and the selfless fashion in which he made it. Mr Daly described him as "a true Olympian" and a man of iconic status. "We will forever cherish his memory", he added. Ned Power is survived by his wife Gretta, his sons Sean, Conor, Eamonn, and Barry, daughters Patricia and Annette, brothers Pat, Sean, and Brendan, sisters Mary and Eileen and many other relatives, Go ndeien Dia trocaire ar a anam. Courtesy of the Waterford News and Star. November 23, 2007 Tweet

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