Proud parent Benny Kiely was Michael’s biggest fan
The late Benny Kiely with his son, Michael, and his wife Dolores after Michael was named a WLR/Granville Hotel GAA award winner. Photo: Noel Browne
The beaming smile of Benny Kiely will be missed at Waterford hurling matches. The heartbreaking news of his death on Saturday, at the age of 57, came as a shock.
As proud parents, Benny and Dolores followed their son Michael all over the country. It was always a treat to bump into them before the ball was thrown in. Benny was a friendly and bubbly character. Full of chat despite all the nerves.
He was Michael’s biggest fan. Wherever Michael played, Benny followed. School games, club games, college games, county games, challenge games, you name it. A midweek Fitzgibbon Cup match in Galway? Benny would be in attendance.
"No matter where the match is on, my family would be there,” Michael said after his Fitzgibbon heroics with UL in 2023. “If it was on in Donegal, they'd be there!”
During his short battle with cancer, Benny still attended league games and was planning to be in Walsh Park on Sunday.
Michael won three WLR Granville Hotel GAA awards. These were all big occasions for the Kiely clan. Benny, Dolores and Michael’s brother Jack were over the moon to visit the Granville for the monthly lunches and toast Michael’s achievements. The loveliest people you could meet. Their enthusiasm for the matches lit up the room.
A busload of family and friends travelled down to Waterford for the banquets in January. They had a table of 25 one year! Benny was in the middle of them, bursting with pride.
Benny held a senior position in Haleon and often travelled abroad with his work. If Michael were in action, however, he would book a flight home!
His brothers Ian and Mattie are immersed in the Abbeyside/Ballinacourty club. Ian is the current chairman.
My heart goes out to the Kiely family at this difficult time. I will miss those pre-match chats with Benny.
Benny was a loving and devoted husband to Dolores and a proud and loving father to Jack and Michael. He will be forever missed by his heartbroken mother, Mary; brothers, Ian, Darragh, Mattie; sister, Mary Kathryn; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces; nephews; aunts; uncles; extended family; neighbours; colleagues; and friends.
Benny’s funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday morning, March 10, at 11am, at St. Laurence's Church, Ballinroad. Interment afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
