Con Houlihan passes away at 86

[joekilgobinet]

The late great Con Houlihan died after along illness.
Ar Dheis De Go Raibh A nAnam.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0804/con-houlihan.html

http://www.thescore.ie/con-houlihan-...46098-Aug2012/

[Kev Bar]

Respect.

[joekilgobinet]

Quotes:
On his profession: “There was far more integrity in newspapers and among writers twenty or thirty years ago. Most reporters in the ’70′s and ’80′s had served their time in a local newspaper, which conditioned them to be honest and fair.
“You couldn’t turn someone over in a small town because you would be ostracised. Nowadays in Dublin, as soon as a young pup sees his name in print, he reckons he’s made it.
“There’s a few dirt-birds out there, maybe more so in the Sunday newspapers. Some have little talent but an awful lot of neck. 30 years ago, they wouldn’t last a week. I think daily newspaper journalism is a more honest pursuit. The best writers work on the daily beat.
“That’s why I’m with the Sunday World.”

On Italia ’90: “I missed Italia 90, I was in Italy at the time.”


“A man who will misuse an apostrophe is capable of anything.”

Brilliant stuff!

[Apjp]

Read a few of his articles. While I'd wish him no ill unlike when Lenihan died, he was a very pro-EU intergration writer which probably indicates his politics. Might have been better placed to write about sport from what my da who met him a few times says. Mind you I don't know much else so just RIP.

[fluffybiscuits]

RIP

Long time Pats fan too

[Slim Buddha]

In the 70s and 80s, no All-Ireland Final, hurling or football, was over until Con wrote about it,

That says all I need to know about him.

RIP,Con.

[disability student]

I saw him few times at Croke park back at the Canal end as he was a typical Kerryman when he heard Cork accent. Also in Mulligan pub after the game with a jar with tales to be told. His articles & observations were good re gaa matches.

RIP- Con

[Andrew49]

“I missed the 1990 World Cup. I went to Italy.” - Con Houlihan.

RIP

[joekilgobinet]

Mikey Sheehy free, 1978...
"Suddenly Paddy dashed back towards the goal like a woman who smells a cake burning. The ball won the race and it curled inside the near post as Paddy crashed into the outside of the net and lay against it like a fireman who had returned to find his station ablaze."

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRSnT7bxKNs"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRSnT7bxKNs[/ame]

[Sam Lord]

There was a period back in the 1970's when I was living in Dublin and used buy the Evening Herald religiously just to read his column. I had a good friend who did the same. Neither of us were Irish and neither of us followed GAA or had the slightest interest in it and many columns were devoted to that.

It was the writing ...

[Slim Buddha]

There was a period back in the 1970's when I was living in Dublin and used buy the Evening Herald religiously just to read his column. I had a good friend who did the same. Neither of us were Irish and neither of us followed GAA or had the slightest interest in it and many columns were devoted to that.

It was the writing ...

In the 1970s? Con wrote for the Evening Press at the time, Sam.

But you are right. It was the writing, always evocative.

[Sam Lord]

In the 1970s? Con wrote for the Evening Press at the time, Sam.

Could well be. It was a long time ago. The one in the afternoon in any case.

[Slim Buddha]

Could well be. It was a long time ago. The one in the afternoon in any case.

With the demise of the Press, he moved ot the Herald. I guess he tried his best at the Herald but I was always of the impression that his level of job satisfaction at the herald was never as high as it was when he wrote for the Press.

For a start, access to Mulligans was severely impaired. The Press was ideally located for Con.

[riposte]

With the demise of the Press, he moved ot the Herald. I guess he tried his best at the Herald but I was always of the impression that his level of job satisfaction at the herald was never as high as it was when he wrote for the Press.

For a start, access to Mulligans was severely impaired. The Press was ideally located for Con.

Yeah Slim he wrote for the Evening Press. I've heard journalists saying all day that he drank in Mulligan's but his home was the White Horse on Burgh Quay .... where his wages were paid in behind the counter and he drew money from there for his daily necessities. He wrote his articles on Butcher's paper. He famously coined the phrase "the black pearl of Inchicore" to describe Paul McGrath. Needless to say..... I share his views of his fellow journalists.

[eamo]

Two stories I have heard about the great Con Houlihan, firstly he always wrote and submitted his copy in long-hand. Never typed. He was so valued as a writer that the editors would have his articles typed up for him.
Secondly, is it true he the gentle giant decked Eamon Dunphy for saying something particularly stupid about Kerry?
May he rest in peace.