THERE is a profound air of sadness in Killarney this Monday following the sad news of the death of Murt O’Shea, the beloved patron of Dr Crokes GAA club and a former member of Killarney Urban District Council.
Gentle, affable and always quick with an encouraging word, he was hugely admired in the town to which he devoted his life and he worked tirelessly for the area during his many years of influence in the town hall chambers.
Married to the late Bridie (nee Healy), who passed away in December 2014, they reared their seven children at the family home in Marian Terrace and derived immense pride and satisfaction when they all did well in life.
Murt worked for many years in the former Pretty Polly factory and, later, with the Office of Public Works, and he juggled his work commitments with his love for sport and politics.
He was a Fianna Fail representative on the council for several years and he always had the best interests of his constituents at heart, with better sports facilities, improved housing conditions, greater employment opportunities, better health services and more activities for young people at the top of his political agenda.
Murt was succeeded on the council by his daughter, Sheila Dickson, and the enormous impact she made gave him a great sense of satisfaction.
It would be fair to suggest, however, that politics came well after sport in Murt’s life and he was an ever-present at Dr Crokes’ games at all levels and a passionate supporter of the Kerry team.
Imagine, then, the pride he felt when his two sons, Seanie and Pat, helped the black and amber to All-Ireland Club Championship glory in 1992 and when Pat trained the Kerry minor team and went on to manage the senior team that won the Sam Maguire in 2007.
Hurling was another big passion and Murt wore the green and gold jersey of the Kerry minors in the 1950s. Both his sons also went on to play senior hurling with Kerry.
Murt was patron of Dr Crokes and such was his love for and devotion to the club that he will be remembered as one of its greatest ever stalwarts. The late Bridie shared his passion for the black and amber and up until the time of her passing, she was the vice president of the club.
Murt is survived by his sons, Seanie and Pat, daughters Margaret, Sheila, Bernie, Mary and Tracey, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and so many friends.
