Delaney, John
July 23, 2010The Freshford hurling team formed a guard of honour at the funeral of John Delaney who died recently following a short illness.
John (Gonnie) Delaney passed away after a short illness on July 9. He was born on Stephen Street in the city and moved to Kilrush in Freshford where he and his wife Carol (nee Delaney) reared their 11 children: Stephen; Danny; Dina; Kelly; Susie; Mary; Eileen; Catherine; Johnny; Kerry and Ellen.
John worked as a roofer for most of his life and became well known locally and nationally for transforming his home in black and amber in the run up to All-Ireland final day. "He was an avid GAA supporter and had numerous All-Ireland titles. He was one of the best handballers ever to come out of Kilkenny and was also very involved in the Callan Boxing Club," his son Danny said.
"Every year he would paint the house in the Kilkenny colours in the run up to the All-Ireland and he would start work on it six weeks before. He would come up with a different design and would leave a Tipperary flag at the back door and say that that was the only way Tipperary would great through. There would be great rivalry and often you would wake up in the morning to find a Tipp flag on the gate that had been left there overnight. Papers from all over the country covered it and when it was painted in the colours there would regularly be photographers. He was even invited up to Up for the Match one year, but I went instead as my mother was sick at the time. His family were his first love and he always wanted to have a laugh and a bit of fun. Everyone had a funny story to tell about him," said Danny.
Hundreds of people attended the funeral which spoke volumes of the high esteem that the late Mr Delaney was held in by his community. Matches at Freshford GAA Club were cancelled as a mark of respect and players from all levels formed a guard of honour. "The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who helped, the people who came to the funeral and also the the Freshford hurling team for their guard of honour," he added.
John Delaney is survived by his wife Carol, his children, his siblings: Paddy, Jimmy, Mike, Thomas, Mary, Eileen, Kitty and Dina and his 17 grandchildren. His 12 year-old daughter, Ria, performed Red is the Rose at the funeral Mass.
Courtesy of Kilkenny People
23rd July, 2010 Tweet
