Legendary Longford GAA icon Seán Donnelly will be laid to rest on Saturday
Late Seán Donnelly, 'Ahalan', Cloncoose , Longford Town, Longford
Legendary Longford GAA icon Seán Donnelly will be laid to rest on Saturday, January 6 following Mass of the Resurrection in St Mel’s Cathedral.
A star of the Longford teams of 1966 and '68 that captured National League and Leinster Championship glory, Seán died peacefully at home surrounded by his adoring family, on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 of Seán Donnelly, 'Ahalan', Cloncoose , Longford Town, Longford.
The former St Mel's College student and teacher was predeceased by his parents James and Anne, sister Angela and by his infant son Seán.
Deepest sympathy is extended to Seán's family, his beloved wife Ann, darling daughters Orfhlaith, Aideen, Dervilla and Patricia, cherished grandchildren Anna Lily, Conor and Ella, sons-in-law Ciarán O’Neill and Declan Fox, sister Phyllis Meally, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law , nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.
Seán will lie in repose at Glennon’s Funeral Home, Ballinalee Road (N39 EC81) on Friday, January 5 from 6pm concluding with prayers at 8pm.
Mass of the Resurrection takes place on Saturday, January 6 in St Mel’s Cathedral at 11am, followed by interment afterwards in Ballymacormack Cemetery. The Funeral Mass will be streamed live please view here.
Family flowers only please, donations if desired to Longford Palliative Care, c/o Glennon Funeral Directors or any family member. House Private Please.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, St Mel's College paid a glowing tribute to Mr Donnelly.
"The St Mel's College school community extends condolences to Ann and the Donnelly family on the death of Seán. Over the coming days many of you will read about Seán on GAA websites as he was a true legend of Longford GAA.
"However here we will remember the kind, decent and gentle man who taught Mechanical Drawing, Commerce (Businees) and Maths in the College for almost 40 years until his retirement in 2003.
"Seán's association with St Mel's goes back further than his teaching career; he was a boarder in Mel's where he made life long friends and was a stalwart on the football field during his five years as a student. He remained fiercely loyal to college football and was an avid supporter of all sport in the college long after his retirement.
"Students he taught looked up to him as a GAA hero and loved hearing his take on matches. Seán wore his sporting prowess humbly; he didn't boast about his three Sigerson medals, his time as County Board Secretary or his National Football League, County and Leinster medals but students in his classes knew he loved and breathed gaelic football.
"He played from the age of 12 to 42, won County Championships with Slashers on four occasions and even trained the 1975 winning team that he also played on. Students loved hearing his stories and some say mentioning football was a great way to distract him in class from giving homework and doing work.
"Seán will be remembered by his former colleagues and students for his kindness, decency and the quiet way he went about things. He didn't court controversy and had a good word to say about everyone.
"Seán was an honourable man and these are perhaps the best lessons he taught the many students who sat in his classroom.
"Our motto is Aemula Virtus / Striving for Excellence. This is not only an academic and sporting ideal but also excellence in the friendships and relationships we forge. On the walls of St Mel's today you'll see the words Kindness and Respect alongside our motto. Seán Donnelly was ahead of his time as these are words that his students and former colleagues remember him for.
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."