It was with great sadness that the Templenoe GAA Club members learned of the death of Arthur O’Connor, Derrygarrane on the 30th July 2024. Arthur was a true stalwart of the club and a GAA Gael to the core.
Arthur O’Connor originally lined out with Sneem, before Templenoe and Blackwater amalgamated. In subsequent years Arthur emigrated to England where he joined the Round Towers GAA Club in London with whom he mostly played in goal. Arthur is fondly remembered for his time there too, so much so that they made Arthur one of their life presidents. Upon Arthur O’Connor’s return to Derrygarrane, he immediately got involved with the Templenoe and Kenmare District senior teams. Arthur was part of the Templenoe senior management teams in 1973 and 1975 which culminated in Templenoe winning the County Novice and Junior titles. In addition, Arthur was a selector with the Kenmare District senior team that delivered the district’s first ever county championship title back in 1974. A man of many talents, he also served as Templenoe GAA Club Chairman from 1975-77 and was heavily involved with the Kenmare Distict Board committee. In later years, Arthur was immensely proud to see Templenoe’s rise from Novice to Senior grade and to witness Templenoe’s All-Ireland Junior and Munster Intermediate success.
Arthur’s sons Kevin and Dan have given outstanding service to Templenoe GAA Club. Both have played with and captained the Templenoe senior team. Kevin was the first player to captain Templenoe to a county senior league title when Templenoe won out Division 5 in 1993. Dan is a long serving member of the Templenoe senior panel, who has more than played his part in keeping the senior team going and has deservedly picked up medals along the way. Arthur’s grandsons Michael Francis and Ronán are members of the current Templenoe senior panel.
Arthur will be sadly missed by all at Templenoe GAA Club and we offer our heartfelt condolences to Sheila, Kevin, Elaine, Dan, Denise all the extended O’Connor family.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
