Death of Carrickmore-born priest and talented footballer

THE funeral will take place tomorrow (Friday) at St Colmcille’s Church in Carrickmore for the late Fr Peter Paul Kerr, who passed away on Tuesday.

A native of Innishatieve, Fr Kerr was a former pupil of Sluggan Primary School and St Patrick’s Academy in Dungannon. He went on to study for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Carlow, and was ordained in June 1971.

Over the following 54 years, Fr Peter served in numerous parishes throughout the Armagh Diocese.

His remains will pause briefly at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh at 4pm today (Thursday), en route to St Patrick’s Church in Ballymacnab, where a Memorial Mass will be held at 7.30pm.

He will repose there overnight before returning to his native Carrickmore for Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Friday. Interment will follow in the adjoining cemetery.

In addition to his priestly duties, Fr Peter was a noted Gaelic footballer and belonged to a select group of players to have won county championship medals at both senior and intermediate levels across Tyrone.

In 1966, he was part of the Carrickmore team that claimed the O’Neill Cup for the first time in five years.

Three years later, his late equalising goal against Coalisland proved crucial in setting up a celebrated win for St Colmcille’s.

He went on to win a Junior Championship with his adopted club Aghaloo in 1974 before returning to Carrickmore, where he contributed to the side’s remarkable run of three consecutive county titles from 1977 to 1979.

Though he missed the 1977 triumph, his return in the following two years was instrumental in securing victory.

Fr Peter remained closely connected with the Carrickmore community and the GAA club throughout his life.

He took part in several reunions, including one to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1969 championship win – a victory he shared with his brothers Eoghan and Oliver, who captained the team.

A keen historian, Fr Peter was an active member of the Termonmaguirc Historical Society and contributed regularly to both local and diocesan historical publications.

Fr Peter Paul Kerr was the son of the late James and Annie Kerr and the brother of Mary (Farley), Teresa, Betty (Tally), Brigid, and the late John, James, Michael, Danny, Lena, Peggy, Eoin, Oliver and Bernadette.