JOHNNY O'MEARA,who has died at the age of 82, was one of the great scrumhalves of Irish rugby, an international sailor, and the owner of a successful law firm in Cork.
Throughout his rugby career, he partnered the legendary Jack Kyle a record 19 times and won 22 caps for Ireland. With the courage characteristic of lightly built scrumhalves, he had a reputation for being cool-headed in the face of big rampaging forwards.
Former internationals, club colleagues and old comrades at the funeral service heard him described as “good humoured, non-judgemental and inclusive”. Friends, recalling his gentle wit, told of a New Year’s Eve party in west Cork where, on examining the vintage label, he quipped that he was the only one at the table older than the port. He was nearly 80 at the time.
With O’Meara playing for UCC in Cork and Kyle for Queen’s in Belfast, their partnership epitomised the 32-county dimension of Irish rugby.
Fans from that era were so familiar with the radio commentary: “O’Meara to Kyle”. It became something of a mantra. Putting the young O’Meara at ease just before his debut for Ireland against France at Lansdowne Road in 1951, Kyle came over to him quietly and said: “Now John, where do you want me to stand?”
Ireland won 9-6.
Educated at Christian Brothers,Cork and Clongowes Wood College, O’Meara studied law at UCC, winning two Munster Senior Cup medals with the college team. He captained Dolphin to victory in 1956 but played only in the first round, missing the rest of the campaign through injury. Honoured by his club, he served as Dolphin president in its diamond jubilee season, was club solicitor for many years and an honorary life member.
In 1952, he was involved in Ireland’s rugby tour to South America which coincided with the death of Eva Peron, wife of Juan Peron, president of Argentina. When she died on July 26th, six days after the Irish squad left Dublin, the first tour of full rugby internationals between Ireland and Argentina was almost cancelled. However, after playing their first game in Santiago, Chile, the team travelled on to Buenos Aires, completing the tour with a record of six wins, two draws and one defeat.
A life-long supporter of rugby, he joined fellow international Sir Anthony O’Reilly, patron of Skibbereen Club, at the opening of its renovated and extended clubhouse in 2008. An all-round sportsman, O’Meara was also a fine sailor and represented Ireland in the 505 Class at internationals in France in 1956. He was also a social golfer.
Founded more than a century ago, the O'Meara family law firm represented the then Cork Examinerfor many years. When Johnny got his debut call to line out against France, he knew he would miss the game if he travelled by CIÉ – the Examinervan got him to Dublin on time.
Paying tribute to his friend from boyhood days, Ted Crosbie, vice-chairman of Thomas Crosbie Holdings, recalled their sailing days in the 1940s when they competed in dinghy races and crewed together on yachts at the old Royal Munster Club. He described him as “just a plain, honest, good and gentle man, a very skilled solicitor and a very courteous person who was a real family man”. He is survived by his wife Clodagh, who nursed him at home during his illness, and by his daughter Tara and sons Barry and Johnny.
John Anthony O’Meara: born June 26th, 1929; died September 10th, 2011