A private funeral will be held for a much-loved Cork GAA fan following his sad death.
Timmy 'Jonty' O'Leary passed away on Saturday, May 10, at Cork University Hospital after a long illness.
He is survived by his wife, two children and grandchildren.
A death notice on RIP.ie reads: "Dearly beloved husband of Julia (nee Twomey) and much loved father of Patrick and Bríd (Comerford).
"Sadly missed by his loving family, sisters Lorette and Margie, son-in-law Jonathan, Patrick's partner Sarah, adored grandchildren Laura, Joe and Julie, nephews, nieces, bother-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends especially Seanie Walsh and the Cork Rebel Band."
A private funeral will take place in accordance with Government guidelines.
Warm tributes have been flooding in for Jonty, who was well-known in the GAA community, since news of his death broke.
One Cork fan wrote: "My deepest sympathies to you for your loss... he was a true Cork follower and a wonderful presence at matches. May he rest in peace."
Another sympathiser added: "Sadly missed and a quiet funeral for a man who gave us so much! May he rest in peace with the Lord."
A third said: "Didn't know this gentleman but recognised him straight away as the man with the big sombrero hat in Croke Park on match days when Cork were playing, always looked so happy and full of joy and banter and to be part of the occasion.
"Condolences to his family and friends, may he rest In peace."
Joe Seward, a sports presenter with Life FM, wrote a heartfelt tribute to his dear friend.
He said: "The untimely passing of Jonty O'Leary, one of Cork GAA's most iconic and colourful supporters, will leave a void both on GAA terraces around the country and among his Rebel Band Colleagues with whom he travelled the length and breadth of Ireland supporting Cork in Hurling, Gaelic Football, Camogie and Ladies Football across all grades.
"Jonty played the drums and could be seen anywhere from Dungarvan to Donegal cheering on the rebels with his great friends and band colleagues Thomas 'Bomber' Roche, Pa 'The Piper' O'Leary, Cyril 'The Bird' Kavanagh, Ray Lucey, Shane Murphy and Eddie 'The Eagle' Burns.
"Jonty attended his first All Ireland in 1956 and was a standing dish at Kent Station to greet Cork Cork teams whether they won or lost. He epitomised the essence of loyalty to the rebel cause in both victory and defeat.
"I recall walking down Parnell Street from Croke Park and Jonty's Sombrero was taken by some undesirables. I managed to retrieve it and I sensed how important it was to him a symbol of his identity on the terraces and it defined who he was a Rebel to the Core.
"He was also a true blue and to see his beloved Barrs win the County Senior Football Championship in 2018 after a 33 year wait was also a particularly special moment he cherished and celebrated as only he could.
"I travelled in his company many times and these journeys to a game turned into a long weekend. Win lose or draw Draw Jonty ensured there was no regrets.
"Rest Peacefully Jonty."
