Pat O’Connor RIP
It is with great regret and the deepest of sadness that members and friends of Shannon RFC learnt of the passing of the Limerick club’s Vice President Pat O’Connor. Shannon PRO Andrew McNamara pays tribute to him.
At 73 years of age, Pat O’Connor succumbed to his health battle at 11pm on Monday night in Milford Hospice and leaves behind a legacy of goodwill, dedication and unyielding commitment to Shannon RFC.
Pat’s death will leave a massive void in the lives of those that knew him, and Shannon RFC may never again see a man of his ilk, who worked tirelessly for the betterment of his beloved club.
A gentler, more affable man you could not meet, Pat was a man of quite purpose and his gentle nature belied his ruthless agenda when it came to the continuing success of Shannon.
Pat O’Connor was a central figure to the success of Shannon in the AIB League over the years and whilst the players took the accolades, his role was every bit as important.
As Chairman of Finance, Assistant Treasurer, Hon. Treasurer, Club Chairman and then Vice President, Pat led the club through some glorious times and it will be a source of great regret to Shannon’s members that his health prevented him from attaining the Presidency of the club.
Pat has amassed a great many friends throughout the country and his absence at the customary pre-match lunches with opposition teams will be noted with deep regret.
It might come as a surprise to some within the club that he did actually run a business given his time dedicated to the club and probably the only other aspect of his life, bar his family, that vied for his attention as much as the club was his cattle.
Memories of Pat O’Connor are thankfully, vast and happy. Everyone was referred to as ‘boss’ and everyone treated with the utmost respect whether the issue was of major significance or a simple mundane matter. As long as the problem was about Shannon, it would be sorted.
His sprit will remain and the drive and enthusiasm he had for Shannon RFC will live on in everything the club achieves in the future.
To his wife Kate, daughters Jane and Trish, his son Noel and brother Noel and his extended family, the thoughts and sympathies of everyone in Shannon RFC and the Irish rugby community are with you.
Pat, you will be missed by all. May you rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Reposing in Milford Hospice on Wednesday, January 6 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm with removal to the Holy Rosary Church, Ennis Road. 11am requiem mass on Thursday, with burial in Mount St. Lawrence.