Tributes paid to a 'true legend' of Limerick GAA club

WARM tributes have been paid to a man who has been described as a "true legend" of Claughaun GAA Club.

Billy Galligan died peacefully in the care of Athlunkard Nursing Home, on February 1 last.

Deeply involved with Claughaun GAA as a player and as a coach and manager, he was originally a Cork man who won Munster and All-Ireland Junior and Intermediate medals and won Cork County Senior Hurling Championships with Blackrock.

He crossed the border onto Shannonside in 1969 where he joined the Childers Road club in 1969.

And in his time with the side he excelled at both hurling and Gaelic football.

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He helped the club win the County Senior Hurling Championship in 1971, plus two Limerick County Senior Football medals in the two years prior.

Claughaun also picked up numerous city championships.

When it was time for him to hang up the boots, he switched to the coaching arena, managing various teams in the club.

In the early 1990s, he led the Hoops' junior hurling team to great success winning three city titles in a row.

Away from the GAA field, he ran a shoe repair business in Fox's Bow in Limerick city centre.

In a tribute posted to its Facebook page, Claughaun GAA added: "Billy’s passion and love for hurling and football was passed down through the family, his three sons have played and won various medals as well as his two grandsons. Billy was an active member of Claughaun GAA committee and gave the club his all."

"We offer our condolences and extend sincere sympathy to his sons Liam, Pat and Mike, daughters-in-law Joan, Deirdre and Nicolette, his grandchildren including Cian and Robert who play hurling and football with the club, extended family - and to all who knew and loved him, for which the list is endless. A true Claughaun legend," they stated.

Tributes came in from across Limerick following his passing, through www.rip.ie.

Former Sexton Street CBS principal Noel Earlie, now on the JP McManus Benevolent Fund committee stated: "He was a great stalwart of Blackrock and Claughaun and a gentleman. May he rest in peace."

Patrickswell man Paul Foley, Limerick's delegate to GAA Central Council described Billy as a "gentleman" while former Treaty goalkeeper Joe Quaid added: "We always had great chats in the shop".

Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely also expressed his sincere sympathy.

Billy is the beloved husband of the late Josephine (Dodo). He's sadly missed by his loving sons Liam, Pat and Mike, daughters-in-law Joan, Deirdre and Nicolette, grandchildren Amy, Kate, Cian, Robert, Sarah, Rachel and Conor, brothers Michael and James, his other relatives and many friends.

He's pre-deceased by his siblings Marie, Therese and Paddy.

His funeral took place at Christ the King Church in Caherdavin earlier this Saturday, before he was laid to rest in Castlemungret Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.