Mayo GAA Club leads tributes to Bernard Lyons

Bernard (Augustine) Lyons, Annagh, Ballyhaunis, formerly Buckinghamshire and a native of Bridge Street, Ballyhaunis, who died peacefully at Sonas Nursing Home, Knock, on Friday, had close ties with the renowned Ballyhaunis teams of the 1950s.

The role of Bernard (pictured) in that era was recalled in a statement issued by Tommy Caulfield on behalf of Ballyhaunis GAA Club at the weekend: “Bernard won a county minor in 1952 and senior medal in ‘58 with Ballyhaunis GAA. He was an excellent footballer who represented our club with distinction and pride. “He was a member of the Ballyhaunis minor team that won the county championship of 1952 by defeating Claremorris in the final.

Team captain Val Byrne, along with John ‘Doc’ Healy and Bernard Lyons, provided a link between the 1952 minor side and our 1958 heroes who won the county senior title with victory over Ballina Stephenites. Bernard replaced John Dillon who was injured in the second half of that historic match. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

Tony Robinson, a friend of Bernard’s from school days, was among those joining in the tributes: “From our days as infant schoolboys in the Convent school to side by side desks in 1954 Leaving Cert Class in Saint Jarlath’s, our lives were linked. We shared the joy of being members of the Ballyhaunis minor champions of 1952. We climbed The Reek and walked to Knock together, though both felt like a youth adventure at the time.

“I paid many visits to the Lyons home in my young days. The shop became a meeting place and kitchen for an odd game of poker. Bernie wrote to me from London at times and was very proud in telling me that his son was called to Oxford or Cambridge. Farewell "Peps". I have been honoured to have known you.” Reposing was at Donnellan’s Funeral Home, on Sunday evening and Fr Stephen Farragher celebrated the Mass in St Patrick’s Church on Monday, February 9.

Interment took place afterwards in Tuam cemetery. Bernard, who was pre-deceased by his wife Mary (née Morris), brothers Michael and Seamus and his sister Marie, will be sadly missed by his sons Brian (Sussex), Neil (Buckinghamshire), daughter Lorna Morton (Annagh), grandsons Finn Morton and Eddie Watson, granddaughter Lola Watson, sister Corrine Flatley (Clare Street), son-in-law Matthew, daughter-in-law Lucy, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.