RIP: 'Highly thought of' Fr Oliver O'Reilly proudly spread the hurling gospel in Cavan

A deep sadness fell over the area as news spread on Saturday, March 21 of the death of Fr Oliver O’Reilly which occurred peacefully at Connolly Hospital and St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown, Dublin. 

A native of Cloncoose, Cornafean he was a member of a popular family in the area. Following his retirement as Parish Priest in the Parish of Kildallan (Ballyconnell) he generously agreed to serve in Arva while resident in Cavan town. He came to Arva in September 2022 and in the three short years he was with us he endeared himself to everyone with whom he came in contact. 

When he finished in Coronea National School he set out for the Old Latin School, Moyne, Co Longford and after three years he moved to St Patrick’s College, Cavan. From there Fr Oliver went to Maynooth to study for the Priesthood and was Ordained on 20 June 1971 in the Cathedral of St’s Patrick and Felim, Cavan. 

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He was appointed as C.C in Tierworker in the parish of Kilmainhamwood later that year. In 1974 he was appointed to Denn, and in 1980 to Killasnett, North Leitrim. 

In 1983 he volunteered to go on Kilmore Mission to the Diocese of Minna, Nigeria with a number of other priests. He spent eleven years there working hard building churches, schools etc but he enjoyed the experience. 

On his return he was appointed C.C. Oughteragh (Ballinamore) in 1994, C.C. Drung in 2000, Drumlane in 2002,  Bailieboro 2007, Shercock 2011 and Parish Priest of Kildallan 2015. Along with his other work Fr Oliver founded the Cavan Family Resource Centre in 1997. 

In every parish he served Fr Oliver worked hard and was highly thought of by his parishioners. He had a huge love of the GAA and hurling and camogie in particular. This love developed while in Maynooth where he was meeting with students from the traditional hurling counties. 

He started hurling in Cornafean in the mid 1960’s and among his successes was an Under 16 Championship from which this contributor received a medal. It was a change to see young lads from Arva cycling out to Cornafean to practice hurling with the locals and lads from Killeshandra. 

His love of camogie led him to write a History of Camogie in County Cavan and he left no stone unturned to get names for team photographs and any information he could garner. It turned out to be a massive job but he stuck at it quietly until he was happy with the finished product. He won a Cavan Minor Football Championship with the Parish Team (Arva, Cornafean, Killeshandra). While in Maynooth he played hurling with the College team and also played Ulster Junior Championship with Cavan for a number of years. 

Fr Oliver was predeceased by his parents John P. And Rose, his sister Angela Masterson, brother Seamus, niece Brenda and grand niece Kiera Aoife. He is survived by his sister Mrs Rosemary (Matt) Nolan,  brothers Sean (Mary), Frank (Anne) P.J. (Barbara) sister in law Dympna nieces, nephews and extended family Most Rev Martin Hayes, Bishop of Kilmore, Bishop Emeritus Leo O’Reilly, his brother Priests, St Patrick’s Missionary Society, Kiltegan Fathers and many friends to all of whom we extend sincere sympathy.  

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Fr Oliver reposed in Lakelands Funeral Home, Dublin Road, Cavan and was removed to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Arva for Concelebrated Requiem Mass with Bishop Hayes as the Main Celebrant assisted by Bishop Leo O’Reilly, members of the Missionary Society’s and his brother Priests following which burial took place in the family plot in Coronea cemetery. Go mbeidh sé í measc na nAingeal go deo.