In the days of the short trousers,
untarred roads and bare feet,
We watched, with hypnotic concentration,
the deeds of Johnny Culloty
– Former GAA President Seán Kelly
The ball used in the 1969 All-Ireland football final, in which Johnny Culloty captained Kerry to their 21st title, was one of the symbols of his life brought to the altar at his Requiem Mass this Thursday morning.
The green and white jersey of his beloved Killarney Legion, a family photograph, a rosary beads and a dictionary, to symbolise his belief in the importance of education, were the other gifts offered during the ceremony in St Mary’s Cathedral where family, friends, clubmates and the people of Kerry and beyond turned out in strength to remember a sporting legend.
Chief celebrant Fr Pat O’Donnell, Parish Priest in Rathmore, said it is often mentioned that it can be dangerous to meet your heroes because any flaws can be devastating but Johnny Culloty was very much a hero.
He said he regularly played golf with Johnny, in the company of Fr Larry Kelly and Patie Sugrue, and when they got to know the man behind the stardom, they were not disappointed.
“We realised that our hero and Johnny the person were one and the same,” Fr O’Donnell remarked.
He won five All-Irelands as a footballer, a junior All-Ireland title as a hurler, county titles in both codes with East Kerry and Killarney, three O’Donoghue Cups with Killarney Legion, he was a captain, manager and selector with Kerry and he was a coaching legend with the Legion.
Image source: A Legion of Memories
“I know for sure that Johnny wouldn’t want today’s ceremony to be only about his life’s story. Men like Jack O’Connor and Mick Gleeson have written and spoken eloquently in that regard in the past few days but I feel sure that Johnny would want us to give witness to the Christian values that underpinned his life,” Fr O’Donnell said.
He said Johnny always had great perspective and a true understanding of what was important in life.
“He knew the stature that was rightly afforded to Kerry’s sporting heroes but he had a keen eye and a warm heart so see that these sports stars were heroes among heroes.
“He always appreciated that up in the stand there was probably parents who looked after a child with special needs and they were heroic in that effort.
“He also knew that up in the stands there were people who faced many challenges in life and had overcome those challenges. They too were heroes”.
Fr O’Donnell said Johnny regularly spoke about his time in St Finan’s Hospital, where he was a psychiatric nurse, and how the staff cared for the parents but, equally, about the gift that the patients were to the staff, with the goodness and the humour they brought.
“Johnny’s convivial nature won him lots of friends and his joyful mischief won many a heart,” said Fr O’Donnell who was joined on the altar by concelebrants Bishop Emeritus Bill Murphy – who sat alongside Johnny in St Brendan’s College – Fr Larry Kelly, Fr Tom Looney, Fr Mark Moriarty, Fr Vitalis Barasa and Fr Paddy O’Donoghue.
Fr O’Donnell recalled one story that Johnny told about leaving Austin Stack Park in Tralee before the final whistle sounded in a county final when it was clear that Dr Crokes were going to win. Spotting the Legion man heading towards the exit, one Crokes supporter shouted out that he couldn’t bear to wait around and see Crokes lift the cup.
Quick as a flash, Johnny looked up and said, “Ah lads, ye have it all wrong – I’m going home to ensure we have the bonfire burning brightly for the team’s return”.
Fr O’Donnell said that while rivalry is great, in Killarney today, grief is total following Johnny’s passing.
The Kerry and Killarney Legion GAA legend was laid to rest in Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery.
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