News
Killarney Basketball Legend Laid To Rest
KILLARNEY Basketball legend and former Mayor Paudie O'Connor was fondly remembered at his funeral mass in St. Mary's Cathedral, Killarney, last Saturday morning.
Killarney Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O¹Brien, chief celebrant, recalled Paudie's outstanding sporting and political career. There were also emotional tributes from Paudie's daughter Morgan and his brother Seamie O'Connor.
The huge crowd in the Cathedral included several people from all parts of Ireland as former teammates and opponents gathered to pay their respects.
Killarney came to a standstill as the hearse went through the streets. Paudie's former club and International teammate Tim Regan led the Basketball guard of honour while Dr. Crokes GAA Club Chairman Patrick O'Sullivan led the GAA one.
A Dr Crokes flag and Paudie's famous No.12 basketball singlet with St. Vincent's Killarney adorned the urn in the hearse.
At Aghadoe Cemetery, Seamie O'Connor released two white doves in memory of his late brother.
Paudie O'Connor passed away on May 1st at his home in Las Vegas at the age of 66. He is still ranked as the greatest Irish basketball player of all time and represented Ireland over 100 times.
A former Irish captain, he was the first and only Irish player ever to be selected on a European All Star first five in 1977.
His visionary skills and ambition brought Irish basketball to a new level in 1979 when he brought the first American professional players to the Irish league.
He was also a driving force of the popular John Player and Pretty Polly Ladies Basketball Championships that used to attract over 120 teams from all over Ireland to Killarney every Easter in the 1970s and 80s.
A funeral service also took place in Guardian Angel Cathedral, Las Vegas recently.
Predeceased by his parents Mai (1987) and Dan (2001) and brother Benny (2009), Paudie is survived by his beloved daughter, Morgan (nee O'Connor) Mauro, her mother, Marty; son-in-law, Marcello Mauro; grandson, Luciano Connor Mauro; brothers, Seamie and Mike; sisters-in-law, Fidelma and Peggy; and nephews, Patrick, Richard and Philip O'Connor, relatives and a large circle of friends.
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