John Reilly - A lifetime of devotion to Killoe GAA
When John Reilly was elected to the position of Treasurer at the foundation of the Killoe Minor Club in 1975 no one could have predicted the impact he would have over the next 50 years as he became a constant in everything that was good about the GAA in the parish. He took winning and losing as similar bedfellows at least that’s what he portrayed to us on the outside and he was up and running the following day as if the event never happened. We all knew he took great satisfaction in all the success that came the way of Killoe GAA in those years, but like the great Micko who shared 2025 with him as the year he would depart this world, it was always about the next game or training session. In many ways he was like Micko as he followed the game for the love of it and he loved polishing up the rough stones to allow the nuggets to emerge. He let those who had the natural talent and interest to plough their own furrow as he knew they were able to, but he went after the ones who might be lost to the game if they didn’t get a bit of encouragement and many of these were the ones who became the corner stones to many Killoe successes over the years.
He also loved coaching lads, spending endless hours talking tactics and making up drills. A few flags or jackets would do to direct us in the patterns he sought to instil. In those early years he loved the battles with St. Vincents and he did the Jimmy McGuinness style analysis on how to break up the telepathic understanding between Gerry and John Crowe which was often the key to beating our near neighbours. His first big win was the Minor League 9-a-side final of 1976 when Eugene Murphy captained the team to victory over a fancied Drumlish side. From there on John Reilly was at the forefront as the talent started to emerge and Killoe joined the top table of Longford football. He was part of the team who gained senior status in 1977 and managed the U-21 team to win that first championship in 1979. The dye was cast and it ran through everything in Killoe football for the guts of 50 years.
He had us eating out of his hand in those early years and while many of us progressed to play at County or Colleges level, John made sure you weren’t above your station when you pulled on the white and green jersey. He wasn’t afraid to let you know when you weren’t performing to the standard required and there was no wellbeing support for those sitting on the bench, you either improved or got ready to sit there for longer.
Of course John was a handy footballer himself and he was a member of the Bawn Academy where the McCormacks, Nolans, McKeons and others helped to mould his football style. When you emerged from that training camp you were ready to display your wares on a bigger stage. John stood out in those early 1970's games as he wore his Pixie hat and went to battle with the Cooper Reilly and others. It wasn’t an environment for the faint hearted and when he dislocated his shoulder one time down in Kiltycon he was shipped off to a Surgical Theatre somewhere in Leitrim where a half door was used to persuade the shoulder to go back into position. John took that in his stride and was soon back on the playing field.
It was as a coach with Killoe Minor Club where John displayed his unique ability to innovate and find a way to get the best team on to the field. He landed in Ballinalee for a match one evening with the car full of lads and a trailer behind it with a supplementary squad sitting on bales of hay. No lad was going to be left behind when John was in charge. Many the night he brought three loads from training in Cullyfad as we all battled to be in the last load as there might be a trip to town for a bag of chips in the Mocambo Grill. Our parents never worried when we were with John and they slept soundly knowing we would be home safe. Several generations of young footballers were part of this and his role in the development of these young players went well beyond the skills of the game. He led by example and in a quiet unassuming way passed on many qualities to those of us who were lucky enough to have been involved with him.
John Reilly was involved in the vast majority of successful football teams in Killoe over the past 50 years but he will be remembered for much more. He will be remembered for his genuine interest in those who were in his care. He was not ego driven and he didn’t use football to embellish his own reputation. He was quite happy to work in the engine room and let others take the plaudits. He loved working with Gary and the Junior squads over the past number of years and the club were lucky to have him to blood the young talent in that team. He oversaw proceedings from the sideline in a calm, controlled manner and his voice seldom peaked above those who were around him. John was well liked by all who knew him and he loved the banter associated with the game.
In recent months many of those that he nurtured in their formative years returned to chat with him and help him in whatever way they could. John had good friends and neighbours and they were there in his time of need. The mould that created John Reilly has long since been discarded but he has left a legacy which will shape others into the future. We were all lucky to walk with him at some stage in our lives.
To his wife Philomena, relatives, neighbours and many friends in the GAA family we extend our deepest sympathy and we will remember John every day a ball is kicked at Emmet Park and especially when we pass the old pitch at Cullyfad.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
“Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another”. Ernest Hemingway
