Dr Tony O'Neill was a man whose life's work was full of concern, not just for his family and those who loved him, but for people "way beyond" that community, the congregation at the removal of his remains heard last night.
The Church of the Miraculous Medal in Clonskeagh, Dublin, was packed for the ceremony, during which Father Bill Fortune praised the parents of the former FAI general secretary for setting the example he was to follow.
"Tony came to this parish as a little boy, and all he did in his life - his work in medicine, with the FAI, in sports administration, came from that and from parents who were totally committed to family, community and church."
Father Fortune read the parable of the talents, chosen deliberately to celebrate Dr O'Neill's life; while Father Arthur Larkin led a decade of the rosary, reflecting on the Sorrowful Mysteries, in recognition of the suffering in Dr O'Neill's last weeks.
His widowed mother, Jo, led family mourners, who also included his sister Marjorie and brother Seamus. The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr McDaid, also attended; as did the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern; the Minister of State for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Mr Kitt; and a former Ceann Comhairle, Mr Jim Tunney.
The soccer community was widely represented, with mourners including Republic of Ireland manager, Mick McCarthy; former manager, Eoin Hand; former Republic of Ireland and Celtic goalkeeper, Packie Bonner; former Republic of Ireland and Chelsea defender, Paddy Mulligan; the chief executive of St Patrick's Athletic, Mr Pat Dolan; and the Republic of Ireland Under-21 coach, Mr Ian Evans.
The Football Association of Ireland was represented by its chief executive, Mr Bernard O'Byrne; commercial manager, Mr Eddie Cox; former presidents Mr Louis Kilcoyne and Mr Michael Hyland, and former treasurer, Mr Joe Delaney.
Dr O'Neill's funeral Mass takes place this morning at 11 a.m., after which he will buried in Shanganagh Cemetery.
