THE Chairman of the Kerry County Board and Kerry senior football manager have both paid tribute to Vincent Linnane who passed away this afternoon.
Mr Linnane was caretaker in Austin Stack Park and kit-man for the Kerry senior team and was in Croke Park on Sunday with the team for the Kingdom’s victory.
In a statement on the Kerry GAA website, County Chairman Tim Murphy said; “It was with great sadness that we learned of Vince Linnane’s death earlier this afternoon.
A legendary figure who has been associated with successive Kerry Senior Football teams, Vince’s personality transcended age groups and he was loved by players and management alike.
He will forever be associated with Austin Stack Park, Tralee which held a very special place in his life and he took great personal satisfaction and joy out of its recent redevelopment.
On behalf of all involved in Kerry GAA I wish to recognise and acknowledge the contribution that Vince has made. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife and family in particular.
Vince – you were a true and genuine friend and will be sadly missed by all who knew you.”
Eamonn Fitzmaurice also paid tribute to Mr Linnane through the Kerry GAA website.
“On behalf of the management and players I want to extend my sincere condolences to the Linnane family on the passing of Vince today. We are all shocked and saddened at the news.
He was a huge part of our setup. He has been an incredible servant to Kerry both in his role as caretaker of Austin Stack Park and as our Kit-man. He took ferocious pride in his work and always wanted to make sure the players were happy and wanted for nothing. His attention to detail was incredible.
He was the heart and soul of Austin Stack Park and loved working there. He really enjoyed the reopening last year. I asked him to present the jerseys to the players and to say a few words before that league game against Donegal. I knew what it would mean to him. I also knew that because of the esteem that the players held him in they would want to win the first game there for Vince which they duly did.
On a personal level there has always been a very strong connection as he always really looked out for his fellow north Kerry men. I first got to know him as a minor and since then we have been firm friends.
He was delighted last Sunday and took great satisfaction out of his last trip to Croke Park. We will all miss him greatly. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
