Tributes flow for well-respected dads; businessman and farmer

By Olivia Kelleher 

TRIBUTES have been paid to two West Cork men who died in separate tragic accidents earlier this week.

Dad-of-two Stephen McCarthy (45), of Riverstick but a native of Skibbereen, was killed in a motorcross practice day on the Vernon Mount Track in Cork city on Sunday.

The businessman and keen biker, who was pronounced dead at the scene, has been remembered by the Munster Motorcycle Club whose members are ‘utterly heartbroken’.

Bernard Collins of Castlehaven, who died on Monday in a single vehicle accident on his tractor on the road between Leap and Drinagh, was remembered for his love of ‘his family, football and farming’.

Castlehaven GAA Club said there was an air of sadness over the parish following the death of the much-loved father of four and grandfather of seven. The club said: ‘Bernard was a member of the great footballing dynasty from Shepperton, the Collins family. One word often used to describe Bernard as a footballer was ‘class’.

‘He made a massive contribution to the phoenix-like rise of the Castlehaven club in the 1970s, from Junior 1 to the Senior grade in less than a decade. He was a very skilful and balanced footballer and he could play in any position on the field and excel.

‘Bernard played full forward in the famous victory in the 1973 West Cork final but is best remembered as a centre back for the club, which is where he played a starring role in the Junior ‘76 and Intermediate ‘78 country winning teams.’

The club said that his greatest display in the Haven jersey was in the ‘famous win’ over the then reigning All-Ireland club champions Nemo Rangers in the county semi-final of 1979.

‘He was part of the first Castlehaven team to play in a Senior County Final in 1979. In his prime, he was at the standard of many intercounty footballers of his era.

‘Bernard retired from playing in the early ‘80s and as he had a great knowledge of football, he gave his time as a senior selector for Castlehaven. He was always passionately following the Castlehaven and Cork teams.

‘In the last week, he was delighted with the performance of the club’s u16 team.’

The club described Bernard as an inspirational figure, noting that although he had a terminal illness, he continued his life as normal.

‘His love for farming was evident to all and he loved discussing all aspects of it with anyone he met. He will be greatly missed by his family , friends neighbours and teammates.’

Munster Motorcycle Club shared a tribute to Stephen McCarthy, a well-respected businessman with two young children, on social media.

The members wrote: ‘I’m sure the news has reached most of ye and we are utterly heartbroken to say long time club member and life-long friend to us all sadly passed away yesterday.

‘Stevie Mac was one of a kind and had a heart of gold like we have never seen before. May he Rest in Peace.’

Members of Kinsale Taekwon-Do club also offered their deepest condolences to all the McCarthy family and many friends, ‘on the tragic loss of Stephen’.

At this week’s meeting of the local authority, councillors also paid tribute to Stephen McCarthy. Cllr Alan Coleman (Ind) offered his sympathy to Stephen’s wife and young family noting that Stephen did a lot of contract work for Cork County Council.

Skibbereeen-based Fianna Fáil Cllr Joe Carroll also associated himself with those remarks and said Stephen came from a well-known contract business family and is originally from Skibbereeen.

Mr McCarthy was the owner of Mac Plant and Civils Ltd, and previously worked in the family business McCarthy Plant Hire in Skibbereen, which was founded by his grandfather Charlie McCarthy in the 1960s.

Earlier this year he told Building Ireland magazine he had always been involved in business as it was ‘in his blood’.

Mac Plant and Civils Ltd was the main contractor on the Elizabeth Fort Outdoor Public Spaces Scheme in Cork, which saw the 17th century fort transformed into an arts and cultural venue.

Stephen is survived by his wife Avril, their daughters Lilly and Bonnie, his mother Caroline, his five siblings and extended family and friends. His funeral took place on Wednesday followed by burial at Cullen Cemetery, Riverstick.

In a death notice on Rip.ie Bernard Collins’ wife Fiona and adult children Daniel, Richard, Emma and Kevin said he died ‘unexpectedly following a long illness bravely borne’.

He is also survived by his seven siblings, his daughters in law and son in law, his mother in law Stella, his extended family, neighbours, friends, former team mates and his closest friend John O’Donovan.

His removal will take place on Thursday evening. A requiem mass will be held at noon on Friday at St Barrahane’s Church in Castlehaven. Burial will follow at Castlehaven New Cemetery.