Well-known GAA supporter dies after fall

Michael Commins

ONE of Mayo’s greatest supporters, Willie (Billy) Connor, died tragically in Dublin on Friday afternoon. It is understood that he fell while pruning a tree and died from injuries sustained in the fall.
Willie, (pictured) from Barnacarroll, Claremorris, had lived in Dublin for many years. He celebrated his sixty-seventh birthday on St Valentine’s Day last week.
An overseer with the Parks Department of Dublin Corporation, he retired from that post about four years. He was generally regarded as one of the most efficient, amiable, and able people in that sector and commanded tremendous respect and loyalty.
Though many years in Clonskeagh, Dublin, the compass of his heart was forever pointed west to his beloved Mayo. Along with such great Dublin-based friends as Junior Kennedy from Brize, Claremorris, and the late Professor SeΡn Freyne from Tooreen, he travelled to hundreds of Mayo league and championship games down through the years.
He was in his element in Tralee last Saturday night week, beaming with delight after Mayo rallied to defeat Kerry in the NFL. He was in the company of his great friend, Paddy Joyce from Louisburgh, who resides in Tralee, and they were heading off to join another close friend, the legendary Paddy Prendergast of Ballintubber, fullback on the Mayo All Ireland teams of 1950 and 51, for a presentation to Paddy in Benners Hotel that night.
Willie had planned on staying in Dublin last weekend to attend the Westport game in Croke Park and had plans in place to be down in goodtime this coming weekend for the Mayo v Roscommon game in Castlebar on Saturday night.
Willie had a legion of friends not just in Mayo and Dublin but in so many parts of the country. He was active in Fine Gael circles in Dublin during his years in the city, always willing to lend extra help to any candidate who had Mayo roots or connections.
News of the tragedy came like a bolt out of the blue on Friday evening causing huge shock and an overwhelming sense of loss among his many friends here in Mayo. Willie was truly one of nature’s gentlemen and a man with the love of Mayo engrained in his heart.
Reposing takes place at the home of his sister Ann Hughes in Dublin today (Tuesday) from 3pm to 9pm. Removal will take place on Wednesday morning from Dublin to his home in Barnacarroll for reposing again from 3pm to 9pm. Interment takes place in the adjoining cemetery following Mass of the Resurrection in Barnacarroll Church at 12 noon on Thursday.
Willie, who was predeceased by his brother Oliver in 2013, is survived by his sister, Ann (Hughes), brothers Seamus (James) and John, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and legion of friends.