They turned out in their thousands to say a final farewell to Ballyhooly's Philly Leahy, whose untimely death cast a gloom over the entire region last week as family, friends and neighbours came to terms with the sad news.

If Wednesday's removal was a very sombre and sad occasion, Thursday's requiem Mass was a celebration of the life and times of Philly and the enormous contribution he made to the local community and further afield. GAA colleagues, fellow  Fine Gael party members, friends, neighbours and men and women from near and far joined the family in saying a fond farewell to Philly.

Parish priest, Fr Pat Scanlan and Fr Donal Broderick with former Ballyhooly curates Fr Billy Winter and Fr Brian Boyle and CIT's Fr Dave McAuliffe concelebrated the Mass, with Mary McCarthy and the choir providing some wonderful music and songs. 

Lifelong friend James Barrett delivered the eulogy, which is reproduced here:

It is with a heavy heart that I stand here today to say farewell to our great friend Philly. In his all too short life, he had many small and big achievements. Another can be added today having me up here. While honoured to be asked by the family and their could only be one answer, I’m anxious that I  do the man proud. I’m hoping he will help me pass the test of delivery as he has done so often in this church and elsewhere.

Born in 1955 to Phil and Julia Leahy, Philly's hopeful and oft inspiring journey on this earth has come to a sudden and untimely end, evoking shock and sadness near and far. Philly's many endearing qualities will long live on in the hearts and minds of all of us fortunate to have known and loved him in his all too short life.

His wife Ann, sons William, Patrick and Philip, whom he greatly loved and was so clearly proud of, as well as his dear sister and brother Mary and Mike, Helena, Eddie, Miriam, Eamonn and Julie, will miss him most of all and our hearts and support go out to all of you. Remembering fondly his enormous contribution to the family and the community in his beloved Ballyhooly and beyond will, I hope, be of some comfort to you today and in the future. It is said only the good die young and in this case it rings true, if ever it did.

No words of mine can adequately do justice to the life and times of Philly Leahy, whom I have known and admired for over 50 years from our schoolgoing days. Following the devastating news of his death on Sunday morning all of us have recalled our time with Philly. He sported, played and partied with so many of us over the years and famously in London on tour with the hurlers. There were many happy times with Philly's wit and enthusiasm for life shining through more often than not. We have shared many happy occasions - including marriage to his beloved Ann, the birth of their much cherished boys, nieces and nephews, the sad times - the deaths of his adored and much loved parents and so many more family, neighbours and friends throughout the years.

In school Phil was never short of a word or 2, a trait that never deserted him, the gift of the gab was certainly his, with his teacher Miss O’Connor (RIP) observing that a place in Dáil Éireann would suit him as he talked once too often in class! The late Master Ryan in his own inimitable way, dubbed Phil the president of the Congo, as he had me the captain of the Rogha Waggas! His support and devotion to Fine Gael also surfaced at this early stage and at election time Master Ryan, a Fianna Fail follower like myself, would rise him encouraging him to back the winning horse! Phil was not for turning then or since and we often had heated debates on politics, but remained firm friends.

Indeed I was delighted to attend the local election launch when the community turned out in large numbers to wish Philly well - his integrity, community commitment and sincerity, in my opinion, would have made him an outstanding councillor for the Fermoy municipal area and I would have been delighted to give him my no 1 vote. Heaven's gain is clearly our loss.

After school Philly worked on the family farm then, taking over following the passing of his dad in 1985, working hard but in no hurry home from the creamery or village, when sport and politics were being discussed in depth, sometimes in a heated way. Needless to say Philly made a success of the dairy enterprise, becoming involved in the IFA and representing the local area on the Dairygold committee diligently. If the need arose Philly would be quick to assist his neighbours and friends and often did so without fanfare or wanting anything in return.

Phil's sense of fun and devilment will be known to you all and all will have your own favourite moments or situations. One that stands out for me was in Dublin for an All-Ireland final while in the Pro-Cathedral at Mass, when it came to passing the basket he slowed it down and the person collecting it was concerned that he was taking from it rather than giving to it! On that score, all can rest assured that was not the case and a donation was made! We laughed heartily many times after at that particular incident! Of course there were many more. There were many trips to Dublin over the years where there was always a warm welcome and accommodation in the aunt's or cousins. If it was a Cork v Dublin game the banter was mighty.

Of course it was in Dublin that Ann and Phil's love took off and blossomed, having been nurtured and nourished much nearer to home. And didn't they do well. And 3 fine young men, William, Patrick and Philip, chips off the old block, to continue the legacy.

One potential love affair ended almost before it began after one long night and morning in Cork city in Philly's younger days. Philly rarely if ever drank brandy again after finishing off a bottle or so at a party and suffering the consequences for some time afterwards!

A true Christian, Philly practiced his Roman Catholic religion diligently, being a regular at Mass and other religious ceremonies and was always willing to help out in the parish.

Phil's commitment and dedication to Ballyhooly was second only to his family. From a young age he was active in most of the local sporting, community and cultural organisations - to the best of my knowledge only the ICA and Fianna Fail didn't have the benefit of his considerable talents as a member at some stage. And he helped the ICA on many occasions. As a hurler and footballer he was never easily beaten on the field of play - giving his all in the blue and gold of Ballyhooly and being a vital cog, usually at wingback, in many great victories and near misses. Who can forget 1985 and the hurling treble of North Cork league and championship and the Cork county championship with Phil to the fore and being chosen man of the county series. Philly is the second member of that historic 1985 side to pass to his eternal reward - one can well imagine the chat as himself and Patsy O’Driscoll catch up on old times, battles won and lost. The playing fields of heaven are in for a shake up.

As an administrator Phil was an outstanding chairman of the GAA club for 3 years and was one of the driving forces behind the purchase and development of the community sportsfield in the '80s, as well as being a regular at club meetings and ever willing to help and give constructive advice.

Lest we canonise him straight away, let it be said he could be stubborn, unless my recollection is faulty, and could come out with the odd expletive or two. Who here today and at the game will ever forget the roar that greeted one of his great friends, when he shouted some criticism of his play in a game in Castletownroche many years ago. Philly roared at the top of his voice from the pitch 3 words.... 'off' and 'Kennedy' were the last 2! It could be heard back in Ballyhooly! Again once the dust had settled bridges were mended and Mike and Philly were best of friends in no time at all. No doubt they are recalling that and many other memorable moments as they look down on us now catching up and not a care on them!

He derived great enjoyment from his involvement with the juveniles and was delighted to see some talented young hurlers and footballers emerging within the ranks recently, as he told me in one of our last conversations. The sporting successes of Mike Ross on the rugby fields of the world in recent times filled him with pride, as did the wonderful exploits of Tom Leahy and John Hartnett in times past.

The world of horseracing and horse ownership also appealed to Philly and he was a notable presence at many point-to-points and track fixtures throughout the country, winning some battles with the bookies, though not the war. He was particularly pleased with Master Badsworth until injury finished his career.

Philly's tug-of-war exploits were legendary and many memorable journeys were undertaken in pursuit of success and silverware for the local club and All-Ireland honours won. North, south, east and west were visited, with one memorable and eventful trip over the border the source of much discussion and debate for many years. Again here he gave his all pulling for Ballyhooly.

As a storyteller and seanchai, Phil had few peers. His rendition of 'Nellie and Bob' holds many memories for me and I’m sure many of you, whether in the local pubs or in Scór competitions with North Cork honours achieved in 1979. He loved meeting people and having a chat. Philly was known to take the odd pint - 3, 5, 7 … though he often went on the dry for long periods, Lent and November for example. He was at home in the local pubs with family and friends, waxing eloquently on the trials and tribulations of the world in that understated but determined way that was his hallmark.

Philly rarely strayed off the straight and narrow, although I was reminded of one such occasion in recent days. He took the wrong exit on the Castlebla Road many moons ago when returning home from a social outing, receiving free lodgings courtesy of Coillte in the forestry not far from his home, much to his and many friends amusement!

He was in his element in the recent election campaign as he travelled the highways and byways in search of votes, taking to the trail like a duck to water. Having decided to give it a go, Phil was in it to win and was determined to give it his all and make a difference to the wider community. He was chuffed at the turnouts for the launches here in Ballyhooly and in Fermoy Golf Club and to me was as happy as at any time in his busy life, as many recent photographs show. Many have said the campaign cost him his life, I and I feel Philly would see it differently. The recent launches can now be seen as fond farewell parties, with so many family, lifelong friends and neighbours showing their love and appreciation for a life well lived. Not many of us will go out knowing that warmth and affection. While we all would have appreciated more time with Philly, it can be said he made his mark in so many ways and lived life to the full, appreciating his family, the friendships forged and the talents bestowed on him and family.

A kind, loyal caring and generous gent, Philly epitomised all that is good in rural Ireland - a character of real substance. We are unlikely to see his like again and were fortunate to be part of his family and friends.

Farewell dear husband, father, brother, uncle, friend and councillor - as I’m convinced you would have made it on May 23rd, becoming the first Ballyhooly man elected to Cork County Council. Instead, the Ballyhooly circle in God's heavenly kingdom is getting even more interesting and a new chairman has joined the ranks. Thanks for the memories Philly and rest in peace until we meet again. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

Prior to the final journey to his resting place in the new cemetery, Philip, on behalf of the Leahy family, thanked everyone for the support and help extended to the family as they mourned a beloved husband and father. He expressed surprise at the popularity of his dad and how much his life touched so many others, as told to them so many times as the week unfolded.

John Arnold then paid his well delivered tribute in the cemetery, a fitting final adieu to Philly, a larger than life character that will be missed so much and never forgotten.

Then it was onto the local community centre where a wonderful spread was put on by the locals as memories and events featuring Philly were shared. It was late on before the last people left the centre and then for many it was onto the local pubs late into the night as a sad but memorable day ended in Ballyhooly.

blog comments powered by Disqus