The death has occurred of Maurice ‘Mossie’ Spillane, Balloonagh Estate, Tralee and Scartaglin, Co. Kerry.
Peacefully, on May 19th. 2020. Beloved husband of Mary and dear father of Michelle, Tracey, Deirdre and Ashling.
Sadly missed by his loving family, grandchildren Ryan, Ríona, Kealan, his brothers John, Don and Michael, sons-in-law, Bernard Downey, Thomas O’Connell and Craig Gillon nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Rest in Peace
Mossie Spillane (71) was, head and shoulders, the best known Scartaglin man in Kerry GAA circles over the past couple of decades.
He was the absolute epitome of the kind of man or woman often described as ‘grass-roots’ by the organisation’s suited hierarchy when trying to define the role Mossie and his equals play in the organisation.
A meet and greet man to the core and as pleasant as they come, Mossie and his friends represented the GAA at the very roots of the organisation with an efficiency that is often either unseen or taken for granted.
“Do ye want the seat out boys,” Mossie would shout or motion to photographers from the tunnel with only a few nerve wracking minutes to go for the players before the traditional team photographs.
It was Mossie Spillane who advised me one evening years ago in Austin Stack Park that it makes it easier for the photographers if there’s a seat in front of the tunnel as the players burst out onto the field.
“They know what ’tis there for and you’ll have ’em sitting down in front of you before they know where they are,” – and he was right.
“I’m only trying to look after you and you half a Scart man,” he said with that infectious smile.
Condolences from Marty Morrissey, RTÉ
“Sorry to hear the news of the sad passing of a great Kerry man Moss Spillane. Moss was one of the stewards I met when I visited the great Kingdom of Kerry. Always welcoming with a lovely smile. Deepest sympathies to his family. RIP Moss,” – Marty Morrissey via Twitter
Condolences also to Mick Moran and Joe Wallace and his other colleagues at the gates and sidelines of Austin Stack Park.
May God be good to him.
A Private Family Funeral
A private family funeral will take place for Maurice with a Memorial Mass being celebrated at a later date.
Date Published: Thursday 21st May 2020. Date of Death: Tuesday 19th May 2020
