HE was the greatest basketballer Killarney – and possibly Ireland – has ever produced and he became a charismatic and hugely popular mayor of his hometown on four separate occasions.
Today, fittingly, the town he loved honoured the late great Paudie O’Connor by dedicating a roundabout to his memory, located close to his family home in O’Sullivan’s Place.
A plaque remembering the original Irish basketball superstar has been erected at the busy junction linking Lewis Road with St Anne’s Road following the dedication proposal from Mayor of Killarney, Cllr John Sheahan, who is a member of the Fine Gael party Paudie served so well during his lifetime.
The larger-than-life personality passed away, suddenly and at the age of 66, last May in Las Vegas where he had lived since 1986 and worked as a high-profile golf tour promoter.
Paudie was a member of Killarney Urban District Council from 1974 to 1985, serving as a popular and charismatic chairman on four occasions, in 1978, 1980, 1982 and 1984. He was a member of Kerry County Council from 1979 to 1985 and also contested a Dáil election.
Also an accomplished GAA footballer with Dr Crokes, 6’4” Paudie was a magnificent basketballer and he enjoyed great success with his hometown club St Vincent’s as well as captaining the Irish basketball team at a time when he was deemed the finest point guard in Europe. He became the only Irish player ever to make the first five of a European All-Star team.
Today’s roundabout dedication ceremony – attended by his family and friends and representatives of Killarney Municipal District Council – marked the culmination of a special weekend dedicated to Paudie’s memory as he was posthumously awarded the Hall of Fame award by Basketball Ireland in Dublin at the weekend (see promotional video).
The honour was accepted by Paudie’s daughter, Morgan, and his brother Seamie who said: “It’s a huge honour for the O’Connor family and for the people of Killarney. We’re thrilled. As a family, we are tremendously overawed and we’re delighted to be here.”
There was also a charity golf tournament in his name staged on the Killeen course in Killarney on Friday.
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