The small close knit community of Glenealy was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of one of its favourite sons Liam O'Toole, Ballinacoola last Wednesday night. Liam came from one of the most respected families in the area, a family that has always been closely connected to Glenealy hurling club with his late father Sean, his late uncle Des and brother Paddy all having wore the famous red jersey.
Liam himself was one of the players who kept the Glenealy flag flying in a time when we didn't have the selection of players the club has now, he had a reputation of being a fearsome no nonsense defender who cleared his lines with the minimum of fuss.
In 1978 Liam was part of the Junior team that won the league and got to a county semi-final and the following year he was part of the Senior team that won the Division 1 league.
Apart from hurling Liam's other great love was motorbikes and he spent a lot of time with his friends raising funds for worthy causes with sponsored bike runs.
A testament to the esteem that Liam was held in was evident by the large attendance from the village and the surrounding areas at his removal to Glenealy Church Friday evening, and at his burial on Saturday morning in Glenealy Cemetery.
Liam's friends from both Glenealy Hurling Club and the biking fraternity provided a guard of honour with up to 20 bikes leading the cortege and Liam being flanked by his many club and team mates in the club colours, as he made his last journey u Glenealy hill to his final resting place.
May the green sod of the little valley you loved so well rest gently on you Liam old friend and may you rest in peace.
Glenealy hurling club extends its deepest sympathy to Liam's mother Susan his brother Paddy, sisters Catherine and Carmel, his brother Paddy, sisters Catherine and Carmel, his brothers in law Mike and Johnny his sister in law Carmel, his nieces and nephews and his many, many friends.

Wicklow People, 27th November 2013 Tweet

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