Proud Offaly community leader is laid to rest

The late Ballycumber man Ollie Daly was remembered for his love of his native place and for the GAA at his Funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception, Ferbane, on Monday last.

Ollie Daly passed away on Thursday last after suffering ill health in recent years. The late Offaly man was heavily involved in the GAA and had a strong history of team management, particularly with his native Ballycumber. He also served as a trainer with Doon, Clara, Shamrocks, Kilcormac, St Rynagh's and Ferbane, where he lived.

At county level, he worked with the Offaly senior, under-21 and junior teams, and he served as Offaly GAA chairman.

Speaking at the funeral, Parish Priest Fr Peter Burke extended his deepest sympathies to Ollie's family and partner Brigid.

Fr Burke said that the late Offaly man was one of seven children and that he attended Ballycumber NS. “At the tender age of 14 he entered the world of work.” Fr Burke added that Ollie worked for the next 46 year and “certainly had a very varied work life.”

Ollie worked at McGuire's farm selling mushrooms, Silver Sand pit in Clara, an electrical shop in Moate and had his own pub in Ballycumber. The local priest described Ollie as an “arch diplomat” and said that he found happiness later in life when he met his partner Brigid.

Fr Burke remarked: “Ollie was especially known as a great GAA man.” He said that he was a proud Ballycumber and Ferbane man and a faithful Offaly man.

Ollie served the community very well and Fr Burke said that he had heart and put the voice of the people into action. He was often seen selling lotto tickets for Offaly GAA outside Centra or Spar in recent years which brought him a lot of joy. The Ferbane priest said that by serving the community, Ollie found “happiness, contentment and joy.”

A number of symbols were offered to the altar to commemorate Ollie's life and interests such as football and a Ferbane jersey to symbolise his love and passion for the GAA, a peaked cap which was his go-to fashion accessory for all house visits and a book of Ferbane lotto tickets.

Chairperson of Ferbane GAA Club and friend of the late Ballycumber man Padraig Boland delivered a eulogy and said that Ollie possessed a deep sense of place. “To wrap him up in only a GAA flag would be disingenuous to him," he stated.

He added that Ollie's love of sport brought him to New York for ten consecutive St Patrick's Day Parades and London annually. The local man also highlighted Ollie's “prowess” as a dancer and said that he had the “capacity to jive impeccably”.

Displaying Ollie's strong commitment and dedication to the GAA, Padraig said that if there was an under 11 game in Hong Kong, Ollie would have done his best to get there. He remarked that the Ferbane resident has a “player-centred approach” to the GAA and a “pragmatic approach” to solving problems.

Padraig told an anecdote from Ollie's teenage years when one of his friends thought that he would have to sell his car because he couldn't afford it and Ollie offered to contribute to the costs of fuel and to use the car for his travels concerning his GAA commitments and otherwise.

Ollie's friend also recounted how his late friend had asked him to help out with Offaly GAA and when he obliged, Ollie said: 'Thank God. You're the 13th lad I rang.'

He continued: “He could plámás. He could cajole”. However, he added that Ollie was no “soft touch” and that he would look after players “far beyond the the line of duty”.

Following the funeral, Ferbane GAA led a Guard of Honour from Gleeson's corner in Ferbane. Ballycumber GAA then led another Guard of Honour at Boher Cemetery.

Many local GAA clubs have paid tribute to Ollie since his death on Thursday last. Doon GAA Club said: “We, along with the rest of Offaly and neighbouring GAA Clubs are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a true Gael and stalwart of the game. Ollie was an instrumental figure in both Ferbane and Ballycumber GAA clubs, but was also had strong ties within Offaly GAA itself. Ollie was manager of Doon GAA from 1987-1989 inclusive.

"In 1987 Ollie managed us to win the Junior Championship against Shannonbridge after a replay. He then went on to see us win in 1989 at intermediate in a final against Ballinagar. Ollie put Doon back on the map of West Offaly. We are forever grateful for his work within our club.”

Ballinamere GAA also offered its sympathies to Ollie's family, saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you navigate through this period of grief and loss. Throughout his years of service, Ollie embodied the true spirit of the GAA, demonstrating unwavering support and commitment to the sport and its values. His passion, leadership, and warm presence will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Ballycumber GAA Club has paid tribute to Ollie, saying: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our former player, team manager, Club Chairman and friend Ollie Daly. Ollie passed away today after an illness bravely borne. We offer our deepest sympathy to all his family."

The Ballycumber Christmas Lights group added: "A shadow of darkness has been cast on the midlands today with the passing of Ollie Daly, a huge supporter of everything and everyone from the Offaly area and especially Ballycumber. Condolences to all the Daly family and especially our committee members, his son Paul and wife Annika. Ollie will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all. May Ollie rest in eternal peace."

A GoFundMe page was set up earlier this year to support Ollie Daly who had suffered ill health in recent times leading to a leg amputation and he had been in a wheelchair since then. The fundraiser managed to raise over €51,000.

The Ferbane resident survived a quadruple heart bypass some years ago and diabetes contributed to his leg amputation.

Throughout his life, Ollie served the GAA, as player, as club officer, as team manager, as trainer of club teams far and wide, as mentor, and always as a huge supporter.

Ollie also played football with Ballycumber, hurled with St Carthage's, played soccer with Ferbane Town, squash with Clara, golf in Moate Golf Club and badminton with Ferbane.

The former Offaly GAA chairman was renowned for his dedication and commitment to his local community and county.

He also previously stood as an election candidate in the local elections for Offaly County Council.