It is with sadness that Ardclough GAA has learned of the death of one of the club’s Presidents Patrick ‘Sonny’ O’Connor, who was in his 90’s.

Sonny was a key member of the club for many years, filling many titled roles and fulfilling many more untitled tasks around the club.

Ardclough GAA was founded as a football club in 1936 but in 1948 Sonny founded the hurling club along with Mick Houlihan (Chairman) and Mick Johnson (Secretary).

From then on Sonny began to take a central role in the running of the club along with Johnny O’Grady (Founding Ardclough GAA club secretary).

Their attention to detail helped it to be such a success and Sonny’s knowledge of fund-raising and general running of the club proving vital.

When interviewed by Eoghan Corry before Ardclough opened its new clubhouse he noted:

“Ardclough is a small club, but a very successful one. When it was formed in 1936 the members were not content with only a football team; they wanted their own pitch and ground that they could build and expand as time went by. This they achieved.”

 “…the founders of the club did more than just start a football team; they have built a tradition which should stand to the future success of the club.”

Sonny was one of the key people in promoting Ardclough GAA and his love for the club was felt by all sections of the club.

He served as Secretary of Ardclough Hurling Club from 1962 to the early 1990’s and also held the position of Secretary of Ardclough Football Club from 1962 to 1984. In 1996 Sonny was involved in the drive to revive Ardclough’s adult Camógie team which went on to win the 2000 County Junior Final beating Celbridge.

Sonny was honoured for his lifetime dedication to the club and the GAA in 1991 when he was awarded with the Kildare GAA Hall of Fame award.

He was a constant presence at matches until recent years, taking pride of place in the passenger seat of John Buggy’s 4X4 casting a keen eye over proceedings from the sidelines.

Sonny’s work in the club will be appreciated by current and future club members for generations to come. His memory and love of the GAA will always live on within the club and he will be remembered fondly.

Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dílis.

 

Funeral Details
Reposing at his residence from 2 O’Clock on Saturday.

Removal, by Murphy Brothers Funeral Directors, on Sunday evening, to arrive at St. Anne’s Church, Ardclough, at 7 O’Clock.

Burial on Monday after 11 O’Clock Requiem Mass to St. Corban’s Cemetery, Naas.