Devoted Tipperary couple passed away within a week of each other
Luke and Nonie Hally from Ardfinnan had been living in Midleton
It was with great sadness that everyone associated with Ardfinnan GAA club, and the wider community, learned of the passing of Luke Hally, Main Street, Ardfinnan, a former club player of the 1960s, on December 27.
Born in 1939, Luke was a hugely popular figure within the village and from an early age showed a keen interest in sport, particularly football.
Luke married Nonie Flynn in 1972, with their daughter Breda born a few years later.
Luke was an electrician with Hally’s Builders, Ardfinnan throughout his working life.
Going to school in Ardfinnan, Luke’s ability and love for football ensured his place on the local school team. He first wore the club colours at minor level before making his senior debut in 1959, lining out at wing back in the south championship defeat.
In 1961 the club won the south senior title for the first time since 1939, with Luke lining out at corner back in their victory over Clonmel Commercials in the final.
It was the beginning of the club’s golden era. In 1962 the club retained their south title and went on to claim the County Senior Football Championship title for the first time since 1935.
The club went on to win the south and county titles for the next two years, 1963 and ‘64, with Luke playing a key role in both successes.
When Luke retired from playing, he continued to support the club teams and for a number of years was a senior selector and a member of the club committee.
Luke had many other sporting interests; he played tennis but his other great sporting interest was greyhound racing and he achieved a lifetime ambition when his Never Pay Syndicate won the Hotel Minella Oaks at the National Coursing Meeting in 2002.
He also regularly attended horse racing meetings in The Curragh and Galway. He was also an enthusiastic follower of the Tipperary senior hurling team and for a few years he umpired for referee Willie Barrett.
Luke also took part in the Ardfinnan pantomime in the local community hall, where he was part of the cast on stage and his electrical skills were put to good use behind the scenes.
He held a card game on Sunday night in his house, playing with many of his former team mates for a number of years.
In 2021, because of ill health, Luke and his wife Nonie moved to their daughter Breda’s residence in Bilberry, Midleton, Co Cork with son-in-law Shane and their grandchildren Emily, Luke, JP and Alison, where over the three years they had many visitors.
Luke will be remembered fondly as a player who was very committed and wore the club jersey with pride. His contribution during the Ardfinnan club’s golden era will always be remembered.
Indeed, his medals were part of the gifts presented at his Requiem Mass.
Luke was also a great community man and his house was open to all, where everyone was welcome, and you were guaranteed a laugh.
Luke’s family played a major role in his life and for the last three years of his life, with their daughter Breda and husband Shane taking care of him and Nonie, they had daily contact with their four grandchildren, whom they adored.
The Ardfinnan club formed a huge guard of honour at the funeral, with the club flag draped on his coffin, which was a fitting tribute to his memory.
Sadly, during Luke’s funeral Mass his wife Nonie took ill and sadly passed away a few days later on New Year’s Day.
Five days later Main Street in Ardfinnan was lined once again with their former neighbours and friends, as the village came to a stand still as the cortege brought Nonie home to a packed church for her Requiem Mass.
The Ardfinnan club extends its deepest sympathy to Luke and Nonie’s daughter Breda, son-in-law Shane, grandchildren Emily, Luke, JP and Alison, Luke’s brother Pat, sister Alice-Mary, Nonie’s brothers Jim and Michael, sisters Veronica, Patricia, Geraldine and Tina, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.
May they both rest in peace.