Hundreds leave tributes for Galway’s 1956 All-Ireland football 'legend' Jack Kissane

The Kerry native won a Galway Senior Football Championship in 1951 after moving to Renmore as part of his job with the Army.

He joined the Galway panel two years later and in his first game faced off against Leitrim in the 1953 Connacht Championship.

Jack would go on to form a solid half back partnership with Jack Mahon and Mick Greally that would eventually help the Tribesmen win the Sam Maguire Cup after an epic final win over Cork in 1956.

Brigadier General Jack Kissane’s Funeral Mass is tomorrow at 11am in the Church of Christ the King, Salthill, with burial afterwards in Rahoon Cemetery.

His death notice on RIP.ie states that Brigadier General Jack (Seán) Kissane (retired) of Salthill, Galway and formerly of Killomeroe, Lisselton, Co Kerry passed away (peacefully) at his home in Salthill in the loving care of his family.

“Pre-deceased by his first wife Mary (née Hassett), brothers Fr Michael, Edward, Richie and sisters Mary and Peggy McElligott,” the notice adds.

“Beloved husband of Maureen (née Dunleavy) and the late Mary, much loved father of Niamh Ryan (Tipperary), Katherine Stapleton (Naas), John (Wales), Lorna Mayne, (Dubai) and Keith (Galway).

“Deeply mourned by his wife and family, his sister Hannah May Liston, daughters-in-law Corrin and Hilary, sons-in-law Dominic, Eoin and Steve, adored grandchildren, nieces, nephews, the extended Kissane, Dunleavy and Hassett families, neighbours and friends.”

Hundreds of messages have been left on the condolences page, with one person writing: “So sorry to learn of the death of Jack. He hailed from a highly respected family in Killomeroe in the Parish of Ballydonoghue.

“We are proud that a man, who achieved so much, came from our parish. My sympathy to all the Kissane Family.”

“Dear Auntie Maureen, Niamh, Kitty, John, Lorna and Keith. The dreaded day has arrived,” one family member has added.

“Jack has left us. My heart is broken. I can only imagine how bereft you must all feel. He was like a second father to us Concannon girls.

“Always with the twinkle in his eye. Always with a (dirty) joke when Maureen left the room. I can still hear his contagious laugh. Always ready to help and offer advice. Always unassuming.

“There was always a seat beside him at the table. A great man for the hugs. Jack you are a legend, one of a kind. It was my honour to call you uncle. You lived such an amazing life. Thank you for everything. We will miss you immensely. Rest in peace.”

Another person left a message stating: “To Maureen and family and all the Dunleavy and Kissane families, so, so sad to hear that Jack has passed away, A lovely gentle man, he will be sadly missed by the many, many people who had the pleasure of knowing him. Rest in peace Jack.”

Referring to his football days, another has written: “Sincere Sympathies to Maureen, Keith and all the Kissane Family on your loss.

“Brid's late husband and my late father, Tom, was a Galway teammate of Jack's down through the years culminating in 1956 and Tom always had great time for Jack and of course it was always football talk when they met up. May he rest in peace."