Kerry District League

All in the Kerry District League offer our heartfelt sympathies to family, friends and all in Castleisland AFC on the death of Georgie Callaghan who passed on to his eternal reward early Tuesday morning. The word  legend is often overused but in the case of Georgie its not – He was a legend in our county and in his native Castleisland. He was simply Mr Soccer and a larger than life figure that lived for the game of association football or soccer and nothing else was allowed get in the way. Georgie was unique – special – a once off but he was a true gent and I doubt if anyone has a bad word to say about Georgie. He had no kids himself but he had thousands whom he adopted down the years and there are Moms and Dads and lads  from their early fifties down who came in contact with Georgie and have only fond memories whether it was training in the Cannon’s field or travelling to Manchester or Lansdowne Road (now the Aviva) in one of the many trips he organised. We all have stories about Georgie and they will be recounted over the next few days and weeks but his passing leaves a huge void.

I first came in contact with Georgie when I was Sec of Kerry Schoolboys and I remember one of his proudest moments was being in the Kennedy Cup management team with John Hegarty and Mike Holly when Kerry reached its first final back in 1991 and though Kerry  lost in Lansdowne Rd against the DL 3-2 Georgie was so proud of his golden boy Patrick O’Rourke who was one of the stars of that team.

Since Kerry joined the SSE Airtricity U-17 League Georgie supplied the ball boys at Mounthawk Park and also was a great supporter when Kerry was playing Oscar Traynor Cup games.

They say all that we can know about those we have loved and lost is that they would wish us to remember them with a more intensified realization of their reality. What is essential does not die but clarifies. The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude and we must remember Georgie for all the good he did for so many young boys now men in Castleisland and its surrounds.

There is so much that one could write about Georgie but now is a time to celebrate his life and be there to support his family and friends.

I think the following lines sums up our feelings on this sad day

To live in hearts we leave behind
is not to die.

Rest in Peace Georgie from all in the Kerry District League

Murt Murphy

PRO