Mourners bid a final farewell to Liam Kearns

The funeral has taken place in Clonlara in Co Clare of the highly respected intercounty football manager Liam Kearns.

Mr Kearns died suddenly last weekend at the age of 61.

He was appointed as Offaly senior football manager last August and had previously managed the senior footballers in Limerick, Tipperary and Laois.

Under his charge in 2016, Tipperary reached their first senior All-Ireland football semi-final since 1935.

As his remains reached St Senan's Church in Clonlara, the Offaly senior footballers performed a guard of honour for their late manager.

Offaly GAA Chairperson Michael Duignan said: "Liam Kearns was with us for only seven months, but it seemed like seven years in all that he achieved in such a short time.

"He was a brilliant manager and so well organised with such a warm personality. He will be very sadly missed, and he is a big loss to us in Offaly GAA, but the loss to his family is far, far greater."

During the funeral mass, items symbolising his life were brought to the altar, including a football, a Kerry jersey and an Austin Stacks jersey, with whom he won a Kerry county medal in 1986.

Also symbolising his intercounty management career, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois and Offaly jerseys were brought to the alter.

Speaking during the funeral mass, his daughters Rachael and Laura spoke of his passion for the GAA and also of a kind and loving father, friend and husband.

Rachael Kearns said: "It's fair to say that dad did grab the ball and run with it during his life. Unfortunately, now the time has come for our lovely dad to drop the ball.

"As a family we were so lucky to have such an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. But now dad, it's time for you to be reunited with your beloved son Seán and your brother