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Topic: Con Houlihan RIP
An Fear Rua
(Editor)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 12:16
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Just heard the sad news of the death of Con Houlihan, RIP. His columns in the old 'Evening Press' were worthy of a Pulitzer Prize.

Leaba i measc laochra na Ríochta dó.


Con Houlihan
1925 - 2012
This message has been edited - 04-aug-2012 @ 12:18
Hitch
(3,644 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 12:19
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Originally posted by An Fear Rua:
Just heard the sad news of the death of Con Houlihan, RIP. His columns in the old 'Evening Press' were worthy of a Pulitzer Prize.Leaba i measc laochra na Ríochta dó.


Con Houlihan
1925 - 2012

+1

Absolute legendary sportswriter.
Rest in Peace, Con.
thehermit
(1,143 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 12:22
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Another Kerry Gael gone to that great pitch in the sky a master of words:

'Watching this match was about as interesting as being in the bog by yourself on a foggy day'

Or his description of Mikey Sheehy's chip in against Dublin in 1978 in The Evening Press. 'Mike Sheehy was running up to take the kick - and suddenly Paddy dashed back towards his goal like a woman who smells a cake burning ... Paddy crashed into the outside of the net and lay against it like a fireman who had returned to find his station ablaze'.

Hopefully the Kingdom can give him a fitting tribute tomorrow.
cerebus
(3,258 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 12:41
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RIP.
Superb writer: a Kerry legend not only in Currow and Castle Island.
Banner1995
(474 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 12:45
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RIP Con. great sports writer
greendolphin
(2,177 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 12:48
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Makes for sad reading on a dreary morning here. RIP Con.
Sliabh Luachra
(383 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 12:49
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What a legend he was my favorite sports writer for years.I used to so look forward to his regular columns in the Evening Press.I allways smile when I drive through Castleisland and see his Statue.As he used to say himself"Arise Knocknagoshel and take your place among the nations of the world".As a Corkman he was my favorite Kerryman seeing as we were near neighbours.He was a man of many talents Columnist,Mathematician,Latin and Greek Scholar,Gambler,Wine Connoisseur,Angler,Sports Aficionado,and Turf Cutter.May he rest in Peace
parish man
(1,457 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 12:50
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rip con
always enjoyed his articles.seemed a very down to earth genuine man by his writing.
a skanger darkly
(659 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 12:52
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The greatest sports journalist I ever read.

He was unparalleled in capturing the feeling of a big sports occasion. Such was his influence, I am reminded of the story when a man returning from a game was once asked what he thought of the match - "Shur, how would I know until I read what Con has to say about it" was the reply.

RIP Con. There'll be a glass or two raised in your honour in the Latin Quarter of Cstleisland tonight.
dubliner 2
(10,823 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 13:21
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The best sportswriter this country has ever produced. The demise of the Irish Press was a tragedy for both the workers and the country.

May he Rest in Peace. A legend.
Portumna Bridge
(1,320 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 13:22
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The best. Could have been as good as Flann O'Brien if he ever wrote non-fiction. (Maybe he did and we will discover it now?)

A glass of brandy and milk will be raised to the man in our house tonight....
This message has been edited - 04-aug-2012 @ 13:23
rebelrebel30
(8,531 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 13:31
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Originally posted by An Fear Rua:
Just heard the sad news of the death of Con Houlihan, RIP. His columns in the old 'Evening Press' were worthy of a Pulitzer Prize.Leaba i measc laochra na Ríochta dó.


Con Houlihan
1925 - 2012

Here Here!, the word legend can be bandied about easily.. but Con was that, very sad to hear of his passing. A great man who told it in his own unique Kerry way. Slan Con, we wont see the likes of you again.
yankeelad
(5,535 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 13:46
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Con you were one Irishman who always brought great joy into my heart with your writings of home and other places.You have left a great void with your passing.RIP may God be good to you.
kilkennycat2005
(1,395 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 14:01
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very sorry to hear this, came across Con a few times & used to love reading him in the old Irish Press.

TOPICAL eg. ON MICHAEL CARRUTHS BOXING GOLD IN BARCELONA 1992

"When the boxers joined hands with the referee, I felt like closing my eyes...however I had the courage to look & when Michael's hand went up, I hugged everybody within reach & some who weren't in reach at all.
I had been priveleged to be present at one of the greatest moments in our sporting history.
There is an old husbands tale in Ireland that you do not win the Sam Maguire unless you beat Kerry in the final.
That of course, is utter nonsence & yet it was good today to see Michael beating a Cuban in the final because boxing in that island is as much a part of the culture as hurling in Kilkenny or music in the county of Clare".

R.I.P Con.
roadrunner
(911 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 14:41
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sad to hear even though he was 86. always a man of the people and of cource another great currow man gone to follow moss keane and mick doyle. his last column will be in tomorrows sunday world. a journalist said today a fitting tribute in croke park today and tomorrow would be a minutes round of applause not silence to celebrate the life of a great journalist a man of the people who was always happy in hill 16 and terraces of many stadia to sample the atmosphere among grass root supporters of all sports. may he rest in peace . tks con for the wonderfull articles down the years.
Arkle
(1,357 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 14:49
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Wonderful writer.
Are there any collections of his columns over the years? Would love to go back and reread some of those.
cerebus
(3,258 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 15:10
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Originally posted by Arkle:
Wonderful writer.
Are there any collections of his columns over the years? Would love to go back and reread some of those.

''A Harvest' is an excellent compilation and not just about sport.
rebelrebel30
(8,531 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 15:18
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Originally posted by An Fear Rua:
Just heard the sad news of the death of Con Houlihan, RIP. His columns in the old 'Evening Press' were worthy of a Pulitzer Prize.Leaba i measc laochra na Ríochta dó.


Con Houlihan
1925 - 2012

Lads i just had to comment on that photo of Con. Its paints such a picture of him. I assume its the old canal end Con on his stumping ground among the people getting the view. Great photo.
kilkennycat2005
(1,395 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 15:36
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What I always liked about Con's writing style was how he would write about one sport & link it to another.
How about this example from the great Con on Brazil fans at the 1986 World Cup?

"About fifteen years ago there was a remarkable funeral in Tralee. The man who was being honoured had never owned more than his shoes & clothes but thousands came to bid him farewell.

His name in the parish register was Willie Fitzgerald but he was always known as Fitzie. And if a character is someone who goes his own way, Fitzie was the character supreme.

At an early age he decided the World could afford at least one gentleman & he cast himself in that role. And he followed his three great passions with the zeal of a saint. They were racehorses greyhounds & gaelic football.

In his early days he might condescend to walk a greyhound or lead a horse – but once he had graduated as a gentleman such tasks were beneath him.

He never begged – people minded him. But he would set out for the All Ireland Final without a penny in his pocket, confident that he would get there & wouldn’t be hungry or thirsty on the way. He was the ultimate aficionado.

Here in Mexico I am reminded of him time & time again. The Brazilian back-up army contains many a man such as he.

The Brazilian nation is made up of three strains – Portugese, black & Indian. And, obviously, there has been a great degree of intermarriage & it has created a social democracy in a state which is only now beginning to recognise the voice of the people.

And thus you will see Brazilians of all classes & colour drinking & singing & dancing together. And amongst them there are the counterparts of Fitzie.

I have met some of them. It isn’t difficult – and they make my soul boggle. My old friend back in Kerry had to travel only about 200 miles to reach Croke Park. These pilgrims have come thousands.

.......................

My friend Willie Fitzgerald lost his life when he was hit by a car on the way home from Ballybunion races. Whether or not Brazil win the World Cup, I hope that my new friends will get home safely.
yankeelad
(5,535 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 15:41
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Originally posted by rebelrebel30:
Lads i just had to comment on that photo of Con. Its paints such a picture of him. I assume its the old canal end Con on his stumping ground among the people getting the view. Great photo.
And viewing the match from exactly the vantage point where one would expect the great man to be.It is a great photo
absent
(1,452 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 15:42
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I used to enjoy his column in the back page of the Evening Press for years,so descriptive and humourous.I believe he was writing in the mail or some similar paper until very recently from his hospital bed.RIP Con,we will never see or read his likes again.
kilkennycat2005
(1,395 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 15:45
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Originally posted by Arkle:
Wonderful writer.
Are there any collections of his columns over the years? Would love to go back and reread some of those.

"Con Now Read On" published by Sports World has 45 of the best columns.

I use the Maeve Binchy filing method of storing books according to the colour of covers & it has an all blue cover.

Sad to lose two greats like Maeve & Con in the one week.
Ozzy
(1,867 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 16:11
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RIP Con. One of the great Irish writers.
big biffo
(134 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 16:54
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RIP Con you were a true warrior.
Manys a learned night I had in your company in Regans in Hawkin Street or Ryans of Camden street sippinmg Brandy and milk and listening to your yarns.
johnny cash
(737 Posts)
Posted: 04-Aug-2012 17:07
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god rest the big man's gentle soul

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