Longford's GAA community bids farewell to 'heart and soul' of Mostrim club

Originally a native of Kilcullen in Kildare Mrs D was a most genial host who made every GAA visitor to Longford feel welcome.

The news of her passing last week was greeted with great sadness. She personified the essential spirit of the voluntary body, a dynamic individual who worked tirelessly for an organisation she was passionately committed to.

The tribute from Mostrim GAA conveys the heartfelt sorrow all who knew Mrs D must feel: “We learned today of the sad passing of one of our Club’s greatest supporters and our vice president Mrs Philomena Donoghue. Philomena settled in Edgeworthstown with her husband Phil where they raised their eight children.

“The foundations of every GAA club are embedded in voluntary work, commitment to community and loyalty. With the sad passing of Philomena, Mostrim GAA has lost a club stalwart who embodied all these values. She was without doubt the heart and soul of our club for many years.”

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Mrs D devoted endless hours of her time to the GAA, her work for her club was exemplary: “She ensured the players had a full clean set of jerseys for all age groups. She organised tea and sandwiches at club gatherings and represented the club as a delegate to the County board. Philomena’s unwavering dedication to the club was recognised when she was awarded Mostrim Club Person of the Year.”

Philomena’s hard work did not end at club level. If she wasn’t at Devine Park she was in Pearse Park helping out. For many years she gave great dedication to Longford helping with the meals for County players and running Longford HQ, Aras Ui Bhriain. Her commitment to local GAA was recognised in 2012 when she was inducted into the Longford GAA Hall of Fame.

The Mostrim tribute concluded: “We have been so privileged and extremely grateful that Philomena was a part of our Club for many years and we cherish that time. There is a phrase often used “Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís” and never more apt is this than for Mrs D. She was truly our local hero and she will be hugely missed.”

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When Phil was awarded Mostrim GAA Club Person of the Year in 1988 she spoke of her shock and surprise at her award: “I originally wasn’t going to attend, but I went because I was told one of my neighbours was receiving the award. When I heard my home county mentioned and then my name, I nearly died! I received my award and when I turned around all my children were standing at the back of the room, I got such a shock but it was such an honour.”

Tributes for the Mostrim GAA stalwart have been pouring in over the weekend.

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Mrs D will be sadly missed by her husband Phil and her children Peter, Maura, Kay, Helen, Philip, John, Pauline and Roisin and to her grandchildren.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.