Sportswriter Con Houlihan Dies

Con Houlihan once said: "A man who will misuse an apostrophe is capable of anything."

The legendary sportswriter was remembered as one of the greats of Irish journalism, after he died on Saturday aged 86 after a long illness.

His career in journalism lasted more than 60 years, writing primarily about sport but also on literature and other aspects of Irish cultural life.

A native of Castleisland, Co. Kerry, his backpage column for the now defunct Evening Press attracted an enormous readership.

He was also famous for his attendance at one of Dublin's best pubs, Mulligans on Poolbeg St, where a plaque commemorating him was unveiled several years ago while he was still alive.

National Union of Journalists Irish secretary Seamus Dooley described Houlihan as a towering figure.

"He made a unique contribution to sports journalism and was greatly admired for the brilliance of his writing. His writing was rooted in a love of Gaelic games and was always laced with gentle humor.

"Con was not only a sports writer, he wrote about life and literature with elegance and style. With his passing, Irish journalism has been greatly diminished, but Con has left a rich legacy."

GAA president Liam O'Neill said: "Con made a massive contribution to Irish sports writing over so many years covering all codes but bringing a particularly acute observational eye to Gaelic games and football in particular through his Castleisland and Kerry connections.

"His was revered by young and old for the consistent quality of his writing and the Irish sporting landscape will be a lesser place in his absence, without his incredible turn of phrase and wit."

President Michael D Higgins said, "As a sportswriter, who engaged us over the decades, he had that special quality and ability to identify with the passion, pain and celebration of Irish community life."