Former Laois GAA manager Liam Kearns - 'powerhouse of a man' - funeral told

Rachel and Laura Kearns paid a touching tribute to their dad Liam during a moving eulogy at his funeral Mass.

"No can doubt that dad did grab the ball and run with it throughout his life. Unfortunately, now it is time for him to drop the ball," the said of the former Laois Gaelic Footall manager. 

Mr Kearns died unexpectedly but peacefully on Sunday, March 12.

A native of Tralee, County Kerry, the 61-year-old, who lived in Clonlara, County Clare was one of Gaelic football's most respected managers.

In addition to being a previous manager of Limerick, he was also a former manager of Laois and Tipperary and was appointed as Offaly senior football manager last October.

Mr Kearns' life was celebrated during his funeral Mass at St Senan’s Church, Clonlara where he was remembered as a "powerhouse" of a man. 

As his coffin was brought into the church, a guard of honour was formed by the Offaly footballers.

Among the pallbearers were John Ryan and Billy Lee, who were both part of his backroom team from his time in Limerick GAA. 

Symbols of the former player and manager's life including a family photo, Gaelic football and GAA jerseys were brought to the altar during the funeral service. 

Mr Kearns' daughters Rachel and Laura paid tribute to their father and spoke of his successful career in the GAA, which started when he was a young boy. 

"Dad did nothing by halves. He enjoyed life to the full and his passion was the GAA. 

"His childhood home looked over the pitch at Austin Stack and he would jump over the wall for training, his love for football grew from strength to strength from there. 

"We are so proud of everything he achieved throughout his career. The outpouring of support from the GAA community over the last few days has been a great source of comfort to us."

The eldest of six, Mr Kearns loved coming from a big family and enjoyed sharing a coffee with his parents on a Sunday to catch up on all the news. 

A former member of an Garda Síochána, his choice to join the guards was described as the "most important decision of his life".

"His career led him to meet the love of his life. After an alarm call at a jewellers, that is where he would meet the love of his life, Angela, and first laid eyes on the woman he would marry. 

"After 38 years of marriage, he still caught mam's hand when they were walking. She has lost a loving husband as well as her best friend". 

The women also shared fond memories of playing board games with their father, a very serious affair. 

"When he spoke he didn't mince his words but he reserved a softer side for his girls. We never parted without him saying he loved us. 

"But he didn't let us get away with anything when it came to board games, even as children. We did get some victories as we got older. 

"He only ever wanted the best for us and he celebrated even the smallest of achievements. 

"His granddaughters were a great source of joy for him and they are blessed with memories that will last a lifetime". 

Mr Kearns was laid to rest in St. Nessan’s Cemetery, Mungret.

He was pre-deceased by his beloved son Sean and brother Paul. 

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Sadly missed by his loving wife and daughters, daughter-in-law Una, son-in-law John, his adored granddaughters Róisín and Clíona, his loving parents Eileen and Ollie, sisters Maria and Anne, brothers Joe and David, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, kind neighbours and his many colleagues and friends.