Tribute to Tim Foran

July 12th, 2012
by Weeshie Fogarty

 Tadhg and Bridget Foran brought 4 children, Mary, Tim (Timmy as he was known locally), Jimmy and Noreen into the world in the townland of Tiershanahan on Kerryhead near Ballyheigue.

While Mary, Jimmy and Noreen remained and married locally, Tim, who was born in Feb 1929, left for St Patrick's College, Drumcondra after completing his primary education at the local national school and  his secondary education in Tralee. He secured a teaching post in a small rural village in Wexford called Gusserane in the early 50's. There he met a local woman, Kathleen Byrne. They married in 1957 and shared the next 55 years of their lives together there. Eight children duly arrived - Tadhg, Brigid, Tom, Jim, Kate, Seánie(deceased), Paudie and Annie. Tim went on to become principal and immersed himself in the promotion of gaelic games and culture in the club and at county level. Football was his great passion so Tim was a proud man when his son Tadhg went on to represent the Wexford footballers in the 80s and 90s. He passed on his love for all things Irish to his children and beloved 18 grandchildren.

Despite spending so much of his life in Wexford, Tim never forgot his roots and looked forward to spending his Summer holidays with his family and relations in his beloved Kerry. The green and gold ran through his veins. When he retired, he spent 2 months of the year in Tiershanahan. Locals knew that Timmy was home when the big Kerry flag went up in July at the top of the bóthrín. There was nothing he didn't know about Kerry football. He was always looking out for new talent in minor, under 21 and Junior level. In retirement he spent many days penning letters. I'm sure many Kerry players and managers, past and present, have received letters of advice and support from a man in Wexford. If Kerry were beaten, one or two refs might have received a not-so-complimentary letter!

When you visit a house in Wexford where the dog is called Gooch, the previous one called Ogie, the one before that Bomber, there's a green and gold flag hanging out the window, photographs of Mick O Connell, Mick O Dwyer,Bomber Liston, Maurice Fitz and Séamus Moynihan dotted around the house you have a fair idea where the owner is from.

In recent years Tim's health deteriorated to the point that he lost his sight and mobility. It did not in any way deter him from pursuing his interest in Kerry football. He dictated his letters through his family and Kerry Radio became his eyes. The sports pages of The Kerryman, which was posted on weekly by his niece Mary Jane Reidy, were read to him by his family.

Timmy passed away on May 3rd this year. He is sadly missed by his loving wife, Kathleen, his children and grandchildren, his sister Noreen Cronin, his nieces and his nephews - the Reidys and Forans from Tiershanahan and the Cronins from Caherulla - and his grandnephews and grandnieces and all his friends and acquaintances. The fact that he was lucky enough to be born in such a beautiful and successful county as Kerry was a source of great pride and joy to him.


Sections

Search Articles



 
Radio Kerry - The Voice of the Kingdom