Golf
club luminaries, ordinary players of long standing and friends from many walks of life paid their respects yesterday
to Christy O'Connor snr whose funeral takes place today in Dublin.
O’Connor died on Saturday aged 91. He had suffered a stroke about a fortnight ago, followed by a heart attack.
He was an Irish golfing great decades before Pádraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy became global household names for their achievements in the sport.
Among the first to pay their respects yesterday evening at the lying in repose at Kirwan's Funeral Home in Fairview, Dublin, was JP McManus, the Limerick-based businessman, racehorse owner and gambler.
He was followed by a steady stream of leading lights in the world of Irish golf. They included Harry McElhinney, a former captain, and recent past president, of the Royal Dublin Golf Club where O'Connor was club professional in 1959 and to which he was associated right up until his death.
With Mr McElhinney were several other senior members of the club, all sporting Royal Dublin ties. There too was Rupert de Lacy Staunton of Castlerea, Irish international from 1963 to 1973, South of Ireland Champion in 1965 and 1972, and former Walker Cup selector.
Chief mourners
Numerous retired pros also paid their respects. Chief mourners were O’Connor’s children, sons Christopher and Peter, and daughters Marguerite, Therese and Joan. A fourth daughter, Anne-Marie, predeceased him.
O’Connor lay in repose in an open coffin, at the foot of which was a large poster celebrating his achievements.
He played in the Ryder Cup 10 times from 1955 to 1973 and played for Ireland in 15 Canada Cup/World Cups; he won 24 European Tour tournaments including two British Masters.
President Michael D Higgins described him as a “gifted sportsman and wonderful human being”; Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he was a larger than life character who had left an indelible mark on his sport.
O’Connor’s funeral will be held after 11.20 Requiem Mass in St John The Bapist Church, Clontarf Road, followed by interment in St Fintan’s Cemetery in Sutton.
