LIAM KEARNS TRIBUTE: "Legends never die and we'll keep his memory alive for a long long time"

Tipp and Offaly played out the national league football game last Saturday with a certain freedom and attacking nature that Liam Kearns always appreciated. While it was difficult for all the players involved to take the field, it was apt that they faced each other so soon and after the game both teams, management and officials went to the Dome for a meal, together with Liam Kearns family.

On an emotional day where thoughts about the Kerry man took centre stage, Tipp football chairperson Conor O'Dwyer and Michael Duignan, the chair of Offaly GAA, spoke about their memories of Liam while Tipperary football captain Conor Sweeney reflected on how important Liam Kearns was to Tipp football. Liam always enjoyed the craic with the players and all there enjoyed the story about how Liam Kearns would often end up on Conor Sweeney's couch in Clonmel after a night out following a great victory.

The Ballyporeen native also told the Tipp and Offaly players “you are a credit to yourselves and both counties, but no matter how tough it was for the players and management I can only imagine how tough it is on Liam's family. To Angela and the rest of the family, our thoughts are with you all.”

The Kearns family made the journey to Thurles and on behalf of the family, Liam's daughter Rachael spoke eloquently about her dad and his love for the game. She thanked everyone for their outpouring of love, respect and support and said being involved with both teams “enriched his life immeasurably”.

Ger Ryan of Munster GAA spoke of the impact that Liam made on football in the province and of how the Austin Stacks clubman was a leading light for the game nationwide while stand in Offaly manager Martin Murphy said that: “Liam came to us and we respected him, we believed in him, we trusted him. He lit a light in the dressing room that I haven't seen in Offaly football in 40 years. He was a colossal man and he will always be remembered.”

Afterwards Fethard native Paul 'Cracker' Fitzgerald, who is part of the Offaly management team, also talked about an emotional day and about his friend: “It was a really nice gesture from all the lads involved with Tipp football. Really nice to have his family there with us and his daughter spoke so well.

“She's very like him. She spoke brilliantly because it was a really hard week for everyone involved with Offaly and Tipperary but I can't imagine how hard it was for the family this week. Such a shock. He was taken from us far too soon.

“I've been lucky to be involved with him for eight years. With Tipperary, then two years with Clann na nGael in Roscommon and we started our journey now with Offaly as well, so I've learned an awful lot from him. It's just a pity there was so much more to learn,” he said.

The former Tipp goalkeeper added that Liam Kearns had qualities which set him apart as a manager. Paul said a special run in the championship in 2016 began with Liam becoming a grandfather:

“I will never forget that weekend. He had said during the week that he was under pressure and his daughter was expecting. We took on Cork that evening and he was absolutely hyper after that game. He skipped off home to Limerick or off to Clonlara, I've never seen a man as happy.

“I think then everyone realised this was going to be something special. The Munster final that year did not go to plan fair enough. A great Kerry team beat us that day but then we got to Breffni Park to take on Derry and what a game that was for everybody involved. Then an almost perfect performance against Galway in Croke Park in the quarter final. We have seen where Galway has gone since.

“There were unbelievable scenes after the game. The performance as well in the Semi-final against Mayo. We remember from that black card incident with Robbie he very nearly got it right. Mayo then let an All-Ireland slip, they got beaten in a replay by Dublin.”

Summing up Liam Kearns, 'Cracker' said: “Legends never die and we'll keep his memory alive for a long long time. He was a great man manager, a great tactician and you heard some of the players talk about how great he was on a night out. He just made you feel good about yourself.”