The Late Liam Connolly Tipperary GAA fraternity are mourning the passing of a great gael, former Tipperary dual star of the fifties Liam Connolly. His sad passing caused widespread sadness in his native Fethard, throughout County Tipperary, and much further afield. A man who enjoyed an extensive inter-county career with Tipperary in hurling and football was known the length and breadth of the country, and enjoyed huge popularity among his Tipperary colleagues and rivals alike. In a career adorned by an All-Ireland senior hurling medals with Tipperary in 1958, '61, and '62, Liam joined an elite band of dual players in that era, and was honoured with a Hall of Fame award by South Tipperary divisional board in recognition of his many honours on the field of play. In an eloquent tribute to the former Coolmoyne and Fethard great South Board Secretary Mr Sean Nugent stated- Liam made an outstanding contribution to the G.A.A as a player whose career at Club and County level spanned a period from 1952 until 1974. He has been described bv many of his era as one ot the finest dual players of his time and his record bears solid testimony to that. His career began on a winning note in 1952 with South minor football title victories in hurling with Coolmoyne and football with Fethard. He talent was recognized by the County minor hurling selectors in 1953 and he won Munster and All Ireland honours in that year. He played County minor hurling and football in 1954 again reaching the All Ireland final in hurling but surprisingly losing out to a very strong Dublin side. He played junior hurling for Tipp in 1955 and following the great success of the Na Piarsaig senior hurling side of which he was a member, that won the South title in 1957 and were beaten by Thurles Sarsfields in the Couny flnal he won his way onto the Tipperary senior hurling team of 1958 which won the All Ireland title after a lapse of six years. He was on the Tipp panel in 1960, 61 and 62 and played a part in the All Ireland victories of that time winning three Celtic crosses in total. He made a return to inter County hurling action in 1966 winning an intermediate All lreland when Tipp beat Wexford in the final. His service to football in the County was exceptional holding a place constantly on County senior football sides from 1956 until 1967. His service and loyalty to the Fethard Club won him a special place in the hearts of all the Club supporters. His contribution to the Club played an important part in South senior football final victories in 1954, 55 and 57 and County titles in 1954 and 57. The Junior hurling title won in 1959 by Coolmoyne in which he played an important part was one he cherished very much In later years he played an important part in Club activities as a team mentor and advisor a role in which he excelled. Of a quiet and of an unassuming nature he was a regular attender at games in the Division where he loved to pick a quiet spot where he could enjoy the action. We extend sincere sympathy to his wife Annie, brothers and sisters and extended family. The huge turnout at the funeral ceremonies in Fethard that included many former and current GAA starsfrom all over the country, was ample testimony to the esteem in which the genial Liam was held. His remains were removed from McCarthy's Funeral Home Fethard to the local Parish Church. Following Requiem Mass on Saturday morning interment took place in Calvary cemetery. Peace to his soul. Courtesy of the Tipperary Star 14 July 2007 Tweet

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