By Sean Moriarty

Liam O’Connor is instantly recognised as one of Killarney’s top musicians but the man who put him on the road to stardom was honoured on Friday night.

Liam O'Connor Oisin O'Connor and Lisa Aherne performing at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Deputy Michael Healy Rae Paudie Eileen and Niall O'Callaghan and Deputy Danny Healy Rae at the Liam O'Connor music tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett in The Fáilte Bar on Friday night with proceeds going to Killarney Celtic 'Football for All'. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Bridget and Liam McGuire Bridget O'Keeffe and Paul Byrne at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett on Friday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Saoirse Cillian Oisin and Liam O'Connor performing at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett on Friday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Deputy Danny Healy Rae Cllr Niall 'Botty' O'Callaghan Eileen Healy Rae Cllr Johnny Healy Rae Tim Coffey Brendan Harnett Cllr Maura Healy Rae and Mark Harnett at the Fáilte Bar on Friday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Mary Murphy Patsy Cusack and Ita Looney at the Liam O'Connor music tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett on Friday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Liam O'Connor entertaining the crowd: Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Dancer Michael Cahill and Liam O'Connor performing at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett on Friday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

At the Liam O'Connor music tribute on Friday night were front from left: Noreen O'Connor Cillian O'Connor Edel Harnett and Oisin O'Connor. Seated in centre are: Saoirse O'Connor Maura Daly Harnett Liam O'Connor and Brendan Harnett. Back from left are: John Don O'Donoghue Sean Daly David Harnett Kathleen Harnett Mark Harnett Mary Lyne Jane O'Donoghue Paul Sherry Robbie Harnett and Michelle Hurley. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Seated in front are Paul Sherry Maura Daly Harnett Sean Daly and Mary Lyne. Back from left are: Michelle Hurley John and Jane O'Donoghue and Noreen O'Connor at the tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett in the Fáilte Bar. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Packie O'Connor Joanie O'Donoghue Noreen O'Connor and Billy O'Donoghue at the Liam O'Connor music tribute night in memory of Pádraig Harnett in the Fáilte Bar on Friday night with proceeds going to Killarney Celtic 'Football for All'. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Shirley O'Sullivan Dorothy O'Grady Guerin Lisa Hegarty Lisa Aherne and Elaine Price at the Fáilte Bar on Friday night. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

A section of the crowd enjoying the night in memory of Pádraig Harnett in the Fáilte Bar. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Liz Moloney Edel Harnett Oisin Doherty and Zara Blackwell at the Liam O'Connor music tribute night on Friday. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

Pauline Sheehy celebrating her 60th birthday with family and friends at the Liam O'Connor music tribute night. From left are: Siobhan Murphy Aoife Brosnan Dolly and Katie Mangan Pauline Sheehy Gemma Mangan Amy Lennon Lisa O'Regan and Helen Brosnan. Photo: Eamonn Keogh

The late Pádraig Harnett wore many hats in town but was better known as one of the town’s best sports journalists as he was a cycling, soccer and basketball expert.

The Park Road native devoted a huge amount of his time voluntarily to Celtic Football Club and St Paul’s Basket Club.

He was a founding member of the local Nottingham Forrest FC Supporter's Club.

A former hotel and cinema manager, Pádraig Harnett’s sudden passing last October left a gaping hole in all facets of Killarney society.

One man who is missing his late friend more than most is the world champion accordionist Liam O’Connor.

He wanted to do something to celebrate Pádraig’s contribution to the town he loved so well.

On Friday night last, Liam organised a special gig at the Fáilte Hotel in memory of the man who once acted as tour manager for his band.

The concert, which also raised money for Killarney Celtic 'Football for All', was attended by close to 300 people.

These included members of the extended Harnett families, politicians, sports stars and friends of the very well-known Killarney man.

“Not many people know that around 25 years ago, Pádraig introduced me to Paudie O’Callaghan of the Fáilte Hotel,” Liam explained.

“Paudie was very busy with gigs at the time but he offered me a Wednesday night slot and the rest, as they say, is history. He was a loyal friend, so honest and very intelligent and down to earth and was a larger-than-life character.”