A late great Killarney sportsman who excelled in a number of codes, including golf, has been remembered in his hometown with a golf tournament staged in his memory.
Benny O’Connor was just 56 years of age when he died, suddenly, in Thailand, in 2009, after falling ill during a visit to a holiday home he had purchased there.
Mr O’Connor has just retired as a psychiatric nurse at St Finan’s Hospital in Killarney and had been looking forward to spending more time in the sun-kissed resort of Pattaya.
Picture: Ian Cronin
A super golfer who was hugely popular at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, he was also a stalwart with Dr Crokes and he also stood out on the basketball court alongside his brothers Seamie, Paudie and Mike, the latter a major international star who will be remembered as one of the greatest Irish and European players of all time.
A very dedicated member of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, he served on many committees and was actively involved in encouraging young people to get involved in the game and he helped to maximise their talents and opportunities.
He also captained the Murphy’s Bar and St Finan’s Hospital golf societies and was a founding member of McSweeney’s Bar society.
Benny was fondly remembered at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club at the weekend with a very keenly contested tournament dedicated to his memory.
Winners on the day were Ronan Bennett and Aodhan O’Halloran while others to do well included Tom Knoblauch, Gavin O’Leary, Fionn MacMonagle and James O’Meara.
The prizes were presented by Club Captain Tommy Galvin who would have been a close neighbour of Benny O’Connor when they were growing up in St Anne’s Road and O’Sullivan’s Place respectively.
The captain also presented prizes to a number of other competition winners at the weekend.
Pictures: Ian Cronin
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