Timmy 'Jonty' O'Leary, the legendary Cork GAA supporter, died at Cork University Hospital on Sunday following a long illness.
Jonty, with his trademark sombrero, was a fixture at Rebel football, ladies football, hurling and camogie games. He also played the drums in the Rebel Band and was a supporter of the St Finbarr's club in Cork City.
"He really was worthy of the title of Cork GAA's No. 1 supporter, travelling the length and breadth of the country in support of all our Cork teams. May he rest in peace," wrote Cork GAA chairperson Tracey Kennedy on Twitter.
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central, called Jonty "a fantastic character" who "will be sadly missed". Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald added that "The world is a poorer place with the loss of Jonty O'Leary".
It didn’t take much digging into the archives to find footage of Jonty doing what he did best, supporting The Barrs and @OfficialCorkGAA
Here’s a nice throwback to his message to the Barrs Senior Football Team back in 2018..
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
💙💛 pic.twitter.com/7o2GJB5PsY— St Finbarr’s National H&F Club (@the_Barrs) May 10, 2020
RIP Jonty - great loyal Cork supporter for so many years.
— Fintan Goold (@gooldf) May 10, 2020
Sincere sympathy to the family of the late Jonty O’Leary who sadly passed away today. Jonty was a fantastic supporter of all Cork teams and he will be sadly missed. Win or lose Jonty was always at Kent Station to welcome home the Cork Camogie teams. Rest In Peace Jonty
— OfficialCorkCamogie (@CorkCamogie) May 10, 2020
So sorry to hear of Jonty’s RIP passing such a lovely man, at every game regardless of code.
Somewhat poignant that he passed away on a day @OfficialCorkGAA should be playing in @MunsterGAA v @LimerickCLG in @PaircUiCha0imh.@CorkCamogie @CorkLGFA pic.twitter.com/GIDqQKMVF8— Finbarr Mc Carthy (@FiFinnymac) May 10, 2020
Picture credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE
