'A loss to athletics': Limerick sporting legend Ronnie Long laid to rest

THE LATE Limerick athletics personality Ronnie Long was remembered as "a man who dedicated everything" to Irish athletics, as he was laid to rest this Thursday afternoon.

Speaking at Mr Long's eulogy, his son Barry shared fond memories of his father and his many years of commitment and advocacy to athletics and other sports.

Mr Long was laid to rest in Kilmurry Cemetery, Castletroy after a funeral Mass in St Mary's Cathedral this Thursday on what would have been his 60th wedding anniversary to his late wife Bernie.

He was a legendary figure in Irish athletics and had a deep interest in a wide variety of sports.

He was a core member and former President of the Limerick Athletic Club, and his coffin was draped in the clubs flag during his funeral service.

He was also an accomplished racing cyclist and, as a member of the Limerick team that rode Rás Tailteann in 1955, he led a breakaway group through Limerick city.

He served as Irish team manager over 80 times, including for the Olympics in Montréal in 1976 and again for the World Indoor Championships in Indianapolis in 1987, which his son Barry described as one of his father's proudest moments.

Barry also remembered his father as a loving father and grandfather, who "took pride in how they all turned out."

He paid tribute to the strong dedication of both his parents to volunteer work, ending his eulogy with a quote by Welsh suffragette, Elizabeth Andrew: “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”

Speaking to Limerick Live in the days after Mr Long's passing, former head of Sport at UL Dave Mahedy also paid tribute to Mr Long's lifelong dedication to sport: "I saw him well into his 70s, putting out flags for cross country, on mucky fields in Mungret or Charleville or anywhere, that's the commitment he'd give."

"In anything sporting he'd be involved or sought after. He is a loss to athletics." Dave continued. "He'll be sadly missed."

May He Rest In Peace.