Emotional farewell to Cork City FC stalwart while resting

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Hundreds of people lined the streets of Cork City today to take a moving farewell to the man described as a great servant to the young, the needy and vulnerable, and his beloved Cork City FC for more than 30 years.

Players, staff and fans, many in club jerseys, hats and scarves, and some waving flags, applauded as the funeral procession of John kennedy, 56, left the Church of the Holy Cross in Mahon, on the south side of the city, before passing City Hall, where the mayor, Cllr Joe Kavanagh, was among those in an honor guard.

Kennedy, who was originally from Skibbereen but who lived in Mahon, died last Friday night after struggling while swimming in Caliso Bay, between Youghal and Ardmore.

His wife, Chris, and their children Aaron and Grace, led a group of just 50 mourners at the Requiem Mass. The ceremony was broadcast over a public address system to hundreds of mourners outside.

John loved his time as a youth worker, he loved seeing young people overcome their problems and develop a life of true meaning.

The late John Kennedy was a member of the Community Response Team and Forum. Image: Denis Minihane
The late John Kennedy was a member of the Community Response Team and Forum. Image: Denis Minihane

In her eulogy, Ms. Kennedy told them that she wished she had the words to say what was on her heart and to be able to say what John meant to her and her family.

“He was all the things that people said about him,” she said. “He was loving, kind and generous, especially with his time.

“He was a sociable person and a wonderful husband and father. John loved his time as a youth worker, he loved seeing young people overcome their problems and develop a life of true meaning.

“And later, when he switched to sports in youth work, it was a role that he appreciated equally.

“Every Friday night I always call my brother Ger and he always asks ‘where is John tonight?’, And I could say oh he’s only at Turner’s Cross but he would arrange 10 buses to go to Dublin next weekend weekdays and we’d make him laugh about it.

“He traveled across the country and beyond with Cork City FC, but we never cared because we knew we loved him and we knew that he loved us.

“John and I were hoping to grow old together and it’s really hard that it was taken away from us so soon, but I’m thankful for the 32 years we spent together, 29 of them married, and I’m so thankful that Aaron and Grace have a father so wonderful.

“It will be a very difficult road to continue without him, so I ask him to keep us in his heart and in his prayers.”

A mourner displays his club badges and scarf. Image: Larry Cummins
A mourner displays his club badges and scarf. Image: Larry Cummins

The main celebrant, Father Colin Doocey, said that Mr. Kennedy was involved in many aspects of parish and community life, serving as a minister of the Eucharist in the church, serving as president of the first parish assembly of the Holy Cross and helping to organize the annual San Miguel Cemetery Mass.

“John had the great gift of bringing people together, interacting with them, and giving everyone a fair chance at those meetings.”

Fr. Doocey also recounted how Mr. Kennedy volunteered to help as part of the community response during the Covid-19 shutdown, delivering food baskets to many households.

“John had a lot of fun with the people when he handed out those baskets; it wasn’t just about leaving them with the people. He took the time to talk to people, ”he said.

He recalled his love for Cork City FC for over 30 years, his role in establishing the family enclosure at Turner’s Cross and how he organized buses for fans to travel to away games.

And he remembered how proud and excited Mr. Kennedy was when he brought the DO and League of Ireland cups on the church grounds in 2017 for people to see.

“We can sum it up in one word: service, helping others, especially those in need and most vulnerable, serving other people and being happy to do this.

“He was always happy to serve, and he did it with great joy, with great enthusiasm.”

Kennedy served on the Cork City FC board of directors and as a volunteer for more than 30 years.

He worked with Ógra Chorcaí, and later with Foróige, and was known and highly respected in the youth and community work sector in cork.



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