IN the passing of Mick Noonan, local soccer has lost a great stalwart.
He passed away at the weekend after a short illness.
Mick served in times past as chairman of the LDMC and his beloved Pike Rovers.
In the words of local soccer writer Pat Sheehan, he “spent a lifetime giving selfless service to the sport he loved, and was one of the guiding forces behind LDMC Priory Park (now Jackman Park)”.
“Up to that point, Limerick junior soccer was homeless, with finals being fixed in venues around the town such as Cals Park, Shelbourne Park or the Markets Field to name just a few.
“His absence will leave a big void in soccer circles.”
For his contribution to local soccer, Mick was honoured with the James Flanagan Lifetime Service Award and similar recognition by the Limerick Sports Advisory body.
In a citation for the latter, his friend Brian O’Brien commented: “Few could calculate the voluntary work, hours and service that this man has given to soccer in the region and if there is a better unsung hero in the city or county, then he or she must be exceptional indeed.”
The retired joiner passed away on Saturday peacefully at Milford Care Centre, surrounded by his family.
He is pre-deceased by his wife Geraldine (nee Boland), and deeply missed by his children Mary Kennedy, John, Mike, and Joanne Kelly, 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, brother Pat, sisters Nancy Hoban and Geraldine McInerney, sisters-in-law Anne Abbs and Olive Noonan, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, other relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
He will be reposing at Cross’s Funeral Home on Monday from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday from 11am at St Brigid’s Church on St Patrick’s Road, with funeral afterwards at Mount St Lawrence (extension) Cemetery.
