When Cork people throw a party, you know it’s gonna be good.

When the Northside of Cork throws a party… well, enough said.

Every woman from Francis Hall to Farranree, Kilnap to Knockpogue, Popham’s Road to Pope’s Quay, and all points north, south, west and east, yes fans came from Japan, Hamburg, Glasgow and London, seemed to be at City Hall last night for an inspiring celebration of the life of Tim Matley.

The Norrie who ‘done good’ was feted by bandmates from The Overtones, Mike, Darren, Mark and Lachie at an outstanding fundraising concert for Down Syndrome Cork, one which the Faranree man had commited to before his untimely and tragic sudden death earlier this year.

The spirit of the dancing, singing, smoothest, biggest hearted, gentlest souls this city has reared was to be felt everywhere in the hall, from the minute excellent support act Jenny Sugrue and her band stepped onto the stage, and what a set of self-penned songs she delivered, to the final and fitting song from The Overtones, which saw the four-member group soak up the love, moving freely among the crowd, before tenderly embracing Tim’s mother Geraldine and sister Audrey as they sang ‘Let’s Stay Together’.

“After Tim’s tragic death we went under a rock for a while but spurred on by your support we are sticking with us, sticking with our recording and sticking with Tim’s dream,” band member and leading singer Lachie Chapman said.

What followed was an ‘Oh What A Night’ night as dressed to thrill in silver, sequined jackets and of course tight black pants, as you do, they delivered ‘You’re Just Too Good To Be True’, ‘Pretty Woman’ ‘How Sweet It Is’, ‘Only You’, ‘Georgia’ ‘Only Girl In The World’ and the song especially written for Timmy’s funeral, ‘In The Wicklow Hills’. It was a moving song, a moving night, and a wonderful send off for a man who loved the stage, owned the stage and last night rightfully took centre stage.

Cork did you proud last night Timmy. But then you knew they would. Oh what a night.