The death has occurred of Liam Doran from Killeshin, a man regarded as one of the finest Laois footballers of his era.
Liam, who represented Leinster in the Railway Cup in 1964, played centre-back for Laois in Leinster finals in 1959 and 1963 and captained Killeshin to Junior ‘A’ and Intermediate football success in 1957 and 1958 respectively.
Indeed Killeshin had a super team at that time and were only narrowly beaten in the 1959 senior semi-final by Portarlington. Liam also later won another intermediate medal with Killeshin in 1974.
Along with his clubmate Sean Price, they represented Killeshin with distinction when wearing the county colours in the 1950s and 1960s.
Liam, who was aged in his mid 80s, farmed at his home in Killeshin and also drove a school bus for a number of years, bringing secondary school pupils from the likes of Crettyard and Killeshin into the various schools in Carlow.
His good humour and kindness shone through in that role and he was a diehard Killeshin and Laois supporter, travelling all over the country to watch matches.
Incidentally, Liam’s passing is the latest in recent times of those from the 1959 and 1963 Leinster final teams.
Jack Kenna and Fintan Walsh passed away late last year while Mick McDonnell died in September 2022, Teddy Delaney in September in 2021 and Danny Delaney in April 2020.
From Keelogue, Killeshin, Liam passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday n the loving care of the nurses and staff of St Canice’s Hospital, Kilkenny.
Liam was the beloved husband of Rosaleen, much loved father of Treasa, Liam and Róisín and adored grandfather of Ada, Fiadh, Síoda and Senan.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, daughters, son, grandchildren, sons-in-law Daragh and Alex, daughter-in-law Nicola, sisters Nancy and Sarah, brothers-in-law especially Peter and Mick, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and his wide circle of relatives, friends, neighbours and club-mates.
Reposing at Carpenters Funeral Home, Shamrock Square, Carlow (Eircode R93 C863) on Good Friday, March 29th from 4.30pm concluding with Prayers at 8.30pm that evening.
Funeral Service on Saturday morning at 11am in The Holy Cross Church, Killeshin, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
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