Well known figure in Croom sporting circles

The untimely death of Vincent O'Donovan after a short illness was a great shock to all who knew him. Vincent bore his illness with extraordinary courage and grace and still had a smile up to the very end. His devastated wife Sheila told me that he never once complained, only encouraged his family to be strong. Vincent was a delightful man whose cheerful disposition and gentle manner made him a real pleasure to be with.
Naturally modest he had a genuine interest in others and he was thoroughly decent, sincere and down to earth, "a quiet man".

Vincent was bom in 1952 at St Sennans Terrace, Croom. He went to the local National School and then on to the CBS in Adare for five years cycling summer and winter. After completing his Leaving Certificate
he went to work in the Burlington clothing factory followed by a few years with Ferenka. His last post was in Kilmallock as a store manager with Irema where he spent 22 years.

Vincent and Sheila were married in 1978 and lived in Kylefea, Croom for a number of years before moving to Tullovin on the Bruff road just outside Croom in 1999. The townland of Tullovin is a close knit community and Vincent and Sheila fitted in well with their neighbours who rallied around them and were a great support when Vincent fell ill.

There are many dimensions to Vincent with his love of sport and his joy at seeing people get on and reach their full potential. He was a lifetime member of Croom United AFC, chairman for a few
seasons and an excellent coach, especially with schoolboys, a task he took very seriously.

Vincent supported Ireland in the 1990 World Cup, travelling to the game against Holland and also attended the European Cup Final in 1996 with Germany taking on the Czech Republic.

He was also a keen supporter of the GAA and travelled with his two pals to all Limerick's Championship games. He played both hurling and football in the blue and white of Croom but had more of a gra for football. He always lined out at fullback where he won three Senior South medals. His observations on people were always compassionate and if any of his fellow players had a poor game, he would be very slow to
criticise them. Vincent loved horse racing and both himself and Sheila were regular visitors to the Killamey, Listowel and Galway festival meetings. He would have a little flutter most days, a trait that he inherited
from his mother, who also had a great interest in the "sport of kings". About five years ago an opportunity arose for Vincent to own a greyhound and after spending time discussing the pros and cons of such an
adventure with his family, the vote was very much in favour.
Vincent took to the feeding, training and preperation of his first greyhound like a duck to water. Vincent's vision on life rested on principals of integrity and he applied this principle to his new love of owning and
training greyhounds. His first winner was Rivervale Dream; Rivervale was the name they had given to their home in Tullovin. He subsequently went on to have many more successes in the track.

Vincent loved doing the garden around his home, planting and caring for the flower beds and cutting the lawns with his grandson Liam. He was also a great DIY enthusiast and no job around the house was a bother to
him.

As Vincent's health deteriorated, he had the comfort of being looked after at home by his wife Sheila and loving family and friends, who also got great assistance from the Milford Hospice Foundation. Vincent passed away on Thursday January 17 2013.

Members of Croom GAA and Croom United AFC formed a guard of honour following his removal from Daffy's Funeral home to his own house in Tullovin, where his entire family kept vigil all through the night. On Saturday as the funeral cortege made its way down High Street, both clubs again formed a guard of honour, this time joined by many of his friends and neighbours.
In a packed St Marys Church in Croom, his parish priest Fr Joe Kennedy, with a voice full of emotion, spoke about Vincent's strong faith. Fr Kennedy said it was a privilege to be asked to administer the Sacrament of the last rights to Vincent. It was obvious that Vincent was serenely happy in his faith. The huge attendance at his removal mass and burial spoke volumes for the high esteem in which Vincent was held.

Vincent is survived by his wife Sheila, sons Paul, Patrick, Liam and Kevin, daughter Emer, sisters Kathleen and Teresa, grandchildren Liam and Aoibhinn, daughter in law Helen and Conor.

A fond farewell my friend, may you Rest In Peace.

Courtesy of The Limerick Leader. Tweet

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