I was truly sorry to hear that Con Houlihan has passed away at the age of 86.
A giant, in every sense of the word, he dominated Irish journalism, not only in his sports writing but in his erudition, his wit and his style. Mulligans erected a plaque to Con far too late — only two years ago — long after he gave up writing, which is a great pity considering the contribution he made to their balance sheet over the years. If Tommy Cusack had been spared, Con would have had his memorial a while back, even though Tommy was a parsimonious Cavan man and Con was a big-hearted Kerry exile.
Fógra: Tá Con Houlihan tar éis fáil bháis.
Isn’t that how he’d have said it in the Evening Press?
A mighty man, full of humour, learning and humility, he taught all of us a lesson here and there.
Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.
He was a man of great dry wit.
Yes, a Gentleman!
He was the first reason I liked newspapers. A beautiful magnificent reason.