Larry O’Dea was born in 1927, the same year that Joe Davis won his first World Snooker Championship title and here in Ireland, TA Farley won the inaugural National Irish Snooker Championship
Larry had a long association in Snooker at every level of the sport both as a player, referee and a member of a number of committees over his 50+ years involved in the sport.
As a player, he played at club and Division 5 & 6 levels within the Dublin Leagues for over 25 years. His highest break was 50 in competition and consistently knocked in 30 to 40 breaks
Within the Griffith Club, Larry reached 100 finals, winning 46 of them.
On the National scene as a referee, he officiated at a number of RIBSA events but mostly on the ladies circuit and the Stars of the Future events for over 30 years. He reached grade 2 in refereeing and was on hand to officiate at the £10,000 Pro-Am in the Mint just off Henry Street in Dublin on St Patricks weekend in 1991 where the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Ken Doherty, Peter Ebdon, Nigel Bond, Tony Drago, Joe Swail, Fergal O’Brien, John Higgins along with some of Ireland’s top Amateur players such as Jason Watson, Joe Canny and Michael Judge were in the mix, Larry was in his element enjoying the event and continued to follow all these players ever since.
On the Stars of the future events over many years, Larry officiated and as President of the Stars of the Future presented the prizes, many of those players are currently on the SBI Tour, with some having won National Championship events along with turning Professional
On the Ladies snooker tour with the Republic of Ireland Ladies Snooker Association, Larry travelled all over the country helping out as a referee and tournament director. He was instrumental in the continued development of the junior and ladies game here in Ireland and his contribution to snooker certainly had an effect in its development and participation among youngsters in particular.
Larry is a great loss to the snooker community and he will be sadly missed by all his many friends that held him in the highest esteem. One of life’s true gentlemen who gave so much to so many during his lifetime.
On the 27th July 1927 the sun rose and gave us a great man who would influence so many people over his almost 96 years here with us and on the 12 June 2023 the sun set as we said fairwell to Larry O’Dea who we thank for he did for us, thank you Larry for a lifetime of great memories
Larry was a fantastic family man and will be greatly missed by them all
The following photos say it all
