We are most grateful to Joan Galwey of Kilkenny (née Corkery of Ballydaly, Millstreet) for alerting us to the fact that Tipperary Footballer supreme, Colin O’Riordan has direct connections with Millstreet, Boherbue and Banteer. (S.R.) Joan writes as follows:
“While the hopes of Cork football were dashed in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday, one Tipperary native who was crucial to Tipperary’s success has strong ancestral connections with Boherbue, Banteer and Millstreet.
Colin O’ Riordan played a key role in helping Tipperary win the Munster Championship for the first time in 85 years, and earned the respect of the nation in his post match interview (which we share below). As the surname O’ Riordan might suggest, some of his ancestors originated in Co. Cork. Colin’s grandfather, Tim O’ Riordan, left Farrendoyle, Boherbue, as a young man and settled in Fethard. Both Tim O’ Riordan and his brother Michael O’ Riordan made Tipperary their home, but never forgot their Cork roots. He would have been a very proud grandfather on Sunday, had he lived to see his grandson return from playing AFL in Sydney, to play his part in this historic win for his adopted county.
Colin O’ Riordan’s g-g-grandmother was born in Coomlogane, Millstreet, about 1853. She was Julia Corkery, sister of Big Jerh, and she marrried James Twohig of Banteer in 1884. Their daughter, Ellen Twohig married Thomas O’ Riordan of Farrendoyle in 1918. Ellen and Thomas O’ Riordan had 11 children, and are both buried in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Millstreet.Colin’s gran-aunt, Julia, became a nun and was known as Sr. Agnes in Drishane Convent. Sr. Denise (Noreen) O’Riordan, was another gran-aunt of Colin O’ Riordan. Sr. Denise was a member of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, Ohio, for 72 years and her passing earlier this year aged 87, marked the end of an era for that generation of the O’ Riordan family. Congratulations and continued success to Colin, his parents Michael and Imelda, and the extended O’ Riordan family in Farrendoyle and Tipperary.”
Colin’s wonderfully inspiring words following the historic win by Tipperary on Sunday, 22nd Nov. 2020:
“I can’t put it into words. It’s an emotional day for me. A few weeks ago I didn’t think I’d be here and just to be out there with the lads giving it your all for the sake of Tipperary, I can’t put it into words.
It’s the best feeling I’ve had in many years. It just fills me with pride so much, I get emotional even thinking about it. To me, it’s one of the best days of my life…
We’ve put in stepping stones with Tipp for a long time. Obviously I wasn’t there for the last few years, playing with Sydney or whatever. To come back to the stepping stones that these boys have out in for the last five years since I’ve been away.
This isn’t about me. It isn’t about Colin O’Riordan coming out to give interviews, it’s about the boys out here. To me, it means so much to be able to put on the Tipp jersey. It’s something I will never take for granted, it’s something I’ll respect to the day I die, that I had the opportunity to wear the jersey.
It’s a massive opportunity for me. I just want to say that I’m extremely thankful to Sydney for giving me the opportunity to play this game.
They were 100 per cent within their rights to say no to me and refuse me permission to play. They had no problem. John Longmire and all these lads over there with the Sydney Swans are an incredible organisation.”
[read more …] “Tipperary’s Colin O’Riordan Shares Millstreet, Boherbue and Banteer Connections”
[read more …] “Enthusiastically Supporting Darragh in the Final”
