Sports
Passing of Christy O’Connor Snr revives memories of majestic golfing career
GALWAY lost arguably its greatest sportsman of all-time with the passing of Christy O’Connor Snr at 91 in the Mater Hospital, Dublin last Saturday.
Just four months after the sudden death of his nephew and another acclaimed golfer, Christy O’Connor Jnr, Ireland’s trailblazer on the international circuit left a legacy of outstanding achievement on the fairways.
Born in Knocknacarra on December 21, 1924, O’Connor’s feats have stood the test of time as he made a major impact in the world of professional golf during the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s.
It was on his local course of Galway that O’Connor developed the classic swing which helped him win a staggering 44 tournaments, including the prestigious British Masters twice, the John Player Classic in 1970, and the News of the World Match Play in 1957.
The first golfer ever to win a five-figure sum in Europe, O’Connor played in every Ryder Cup from 1955 to 1973, setting a record of ten appearances in the event which stood until surpassed by Nick Faldo in 1997.
In 1958, O’Connor teamed up with Harry Bradshaw to win the then labelled Canada Cup (World Cup) in Mexico, while he was also Irish professional champion on ten occasions, including in 1978 when he was aged 53.
Subsequently, he became the leading ‘senior’ player of his era, winning the PGA Seniors Championship six times and the World Senior Championship in both 1976 and ’77.
On November 2, 2009, O’Connor received one of the highest honours in the sport when he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida.
Runner up in the 1965 British Open and twice winner of the Order of Merit, he was one of the game’s greatest ball strikers in his pomp.
BBC commentator Peter Alliss, who partnered O’Connor in several Ryder Cup matches, once described ‘Himself’ – as the Galway man was affectionately known – as a ‘golfing genius’.
Allis also recalled the many “glorious times” he spent with O’Connor, on and off the course. “I was his Ryder Cup partner for many years; we used to joke that nobody else would play with us.”
“He was a wonderful partner and a beautiful golfer. We weren’t renowned for being brilliant, consistent putters, but when we were on our day we could put in a few. We both hit the ball well – Christy was just a joy to play with. He really was a genius of the sport and was also a lovely man.”
Multiple Major winner, Gary Player, in a recent tribute, said O’Connor Snr and Sam Snead were the greatest natural players the world had ever seen. “If Christy could have putted like me, he would have won several majors,” added the South African legend.
Since his passing, many of Ireland’s leading golfers, both past and present, have gone on record about how much they revered Christy Snr and how his feats had inspired them, including Des Smyth, who said he was golfer they all aspired to be.
President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, issued the following tribute: “Christy O’Connor Snr was a gifted sportsman who opened up the ground for many talented Irish golfers. Those of us fortunate enough to have met him will never forget this outstanding man and his great character of humour and compassion.”
Christy O’Connor Snr was honoured as Galway’s Greatest Living Sporting Legend in January of 2014 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Galway Sports Stars awards.
Though illness prevented him from attending the awards ceremony, Christy Snr was deeply moved by the accolade, especially the fact that he was being recognised by his own people of Galway. He never forgot his roots.
Galway 3-18
Cork 1-10
NEW setting; new opposition; new challenge. It made no difference to the Galway minor hurlers as they chalked up a remarkable sixth consecutive double digits championship victory at Semple Stadium on Saturday.
The final scoreline in Thurles may have been a little harsh on Cork, but there was no doubting Galway’s overall superiority in setting up only a second-ever All-Ireland showdown against Clare at the same venue on Sunday week.
Having claimed an historic Leinster title the previous weekend, Galway took a while to get going against the Rebels and also endured their first period in a match in which they were heavily outscored, but still the boys in maroon roll on.
Beating a decent Cork outfit by 14 points sums up how formidable Galway are. No team has managed to lay a glove on them so far, and though Clare might ask them questions other challengers haven’t, they are going to have to find significant improvement on their semi-final win over 14-man Kilkenny to pull off a final upset.
Galway just aren’t winning their matches; they are overpowering the teams which have stood in their way. Their level of consistency is admirable for young players starting off on the inter-county journey, while the team’s temperament appears to be bombproof, no matter what is thrown at them.
Having romped through Leinster, Galway should have been a bit rattled by being only level (0-4 each) after 20 minutes and being a little fortunate not to have been behind; or when Cork stormed out of the blocks at the start of the second half by hitting 1-4 to just a solitary point in reply, but there was never any trace of panic in their ranks.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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GALWAY United need to guard against any kind of complacency when they make the short hop down the M18 this Friday to take on Treaty United at the Markets Field (7.45pm).
The game is a meeting of the two form teams in the division, and as in previous meetings between the sides, will have an additional edge given the number of former United players in the home side’s ranks, and the pair of Limerick lads playing for United.
There might have been just the eight meetings between the sides since Treaty became the latest iteration to represent Limerick in the League of Ireland in 2021, and while United have yet to lose to the men in the candy-cane strips, there has never been more than a goal in four of their eight wins.
The most recent of those was back in February, when Rob Slevin scored the only goal of the game in Eamonn Deacy Park after a tough battle against a side who made a slow start to the season, before finally finding their groove in the past month.
Having taken just three points from their first six games before finally getting a win against Longford Town, they reverted to type with just one point from their next three games, but are now on a run of four wins on the spin, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one.
Their most recent win was a 3-0 victory away to Longford Town last Saturday, and they could have won by double that against the only side to have beaten United this season. That in itself is a warning.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty
While the Salthill Devon men’s team might have lost their grip on the Connacht Junior Cup that they held for two seasons, the club’s women’s side have picked up the mantle and on Sunday last in Headford were crowned provincial champions with a 4-3 win over Manulla.
Following midweek wins for Maree/Oranmore and Knocknacarra, the stage is now almost set for the semi-finals of the Michael Byrne Cup with Salthill Devon meeting St Bernard’s on Sunday in an outstanding quarter-final, with the winners advancing to a semi-final against Maree/Oranmore, while Colga will face Knocknacarra in the other last four contest.
Just one league issue remains to be decided, with the Championship runners-up position up for grabs, as Dynamo Blues have to win their two remaining games in order to overtake Colemanstown United who have finished their programme.
WOMEN’S CONNACHT CUP FINAL
Salthill Devon 4
Manulla 3
Ellerose O’Flaherty scored twice as Salthill Devon were crowned provincial champions with a win over a Mayo side who were losing in the final for the second year in succession.
Backboned by a number of players who previously had League of Ireland experience with Galway WFC, Devon suffered an early set back when Jess Nolan put Manulla ahead, before O’Flaherty levelled matters with a cracking finish on 20 minutes, which was quickly followed by a long-range free-kick from Aoife Walsh.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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