Oughterard residents lined the streets of the village on Friday to bid farewell to a well-loved local who was at the heart of the GAA.
Kieran O'Sullivan passed away at home after a long illness, and was buried following a private funeral in Kilcummin Cemetery last week.
A man steeped in Oughterard GAA Club, it was a most special moment for Kieran and his family when son Eddie lifted the trophy after the club won this year's All Ireland intermediate crown in Croke Park in January. And members of the current All Ireland winning team formed a guard of honour as Kieran left his home on Main Street for the last time.
The son of Edward and Bridie (Moran ), Kieran was the youngest of four children who grew up above the family shop on the town's Main Street. Father Edward was one of four brothers on the only Oughterard team to win a senior county title.
No surprises then that Kieran was a fine footballer, highly regarded as a real attacking threat for any opposition. He made his mark with Galway on the All Ireland winning minor team of 1976, scoring 1-2 from right corner forward to help beat Cork 1-10 to 0-6. He is attributed to having swung the game decisively in Galway’s favour in the thirtieth minute when he latched on to a pass and crashed the ball to the net.
The president of Oughterard GAA, Paddy Geoghegan, said Kieran's contribution to the club was immense.
"As a player he was as good as I had seen. He was an all-rounder, a gentleman, and he was a great man for the club.
"No job was too big for him, he collected at the gates, trained the boys, his contribution was huge, and for him to be able to watch his son win a county and All Ireland medal was so special."
Members of 1976 All Ireland winning minor team also paid their respects to the local legend last Friday, and included Mattie Coleman, Ger Ford, Padraig Coyne, Frank Rooney, Padraig Conroy, Ciaran Faherty and Gerry Burke.
The club in its tribute said Kieran would always be remembered as a "valued member of our club and will be revered for his passion and love of Gaelic Football, not to mention his on pitch contributions".
"Kieran took immense satisfaction in seeing our small club rise to that level, but it’s in returning to play senior club football in Galway his dreams were realised, the rest was a bonus."
Kieran O'Sullivan is survived by his wife Ann, daugher Ciara, son Eddie, brother Robert and sister Anne. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
