Longford and Arva mourns passing of formidable footballer and passionate family man

The area was saddened when news spread of the death of Mr Donal Brady, Aughafad, Longford and formerly from Gurteen, Arva which occurred at the Mater Hospital, Dublin on September 16 after a short illness. 

Donal was a passionate family man, businessman and had a lifelong love of the GAA. 

He attended Wateraughey National School, the old Latin School in Moyne and then UCD where he qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon in 1967. 

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He started work with Tim Mulligan, Arva and also worked for a time with Greg McGovern in Ballyconnell before moving to Portarlington, Co Offaly where he practiced with his brother James. 

After a number of years he decided to purchase land in Carrickboy, Co Longford, where he began a career in farming. 

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In his early years he was a formidable footballer with his local club Arva and won Minor and Intermediate championship medals. When he moved to live in Longford he was a valued member of the Longford Slashers GAA Club where he served as chairman between 2009 and 2016. 

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During this time his son Dermot captained the team to win three senior championship titles. Between 2019 and 2021 he was president of the club. 

But Donal never forgot his roots and was always up to date on what was happening around Gurteen and the Arva GAA Club. His energy was boundless and he dedicated it to anything he put his mind to. 

Donal was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Catherine, sister Patricia, brothers Paddy, Thomas, Philip, Fr Charlie, Gerard and Fr Vincent and is sadly missed by his beloved wife Mary, daughters Catherine (Paul), Sinéad (Myles), Valerie (Gary) and Marie (Stephen), son Dermot (Annmarie), sister Kathleen Conefrey, Dromard, brothers James, Portarlington, John Joe, Gurteen, grandchildren Jack, Darragh, Tom, Charlie, Alice, Jamie, Lara and Joe, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, his loyal staff at Carrickboy Farms and many, many friends to all of whom we extend sincere sympathy. 

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Donal reposed in Glennon’s Funeral Home, Longford where there was a big turnout of mourners to pay their respects. His remains were removed from his home the following morning where a Guard of Honour was provided by Longford Slashers, St Patrick’s Arva and Clonguish GAA Clubs as they made their way to The Church of the Sacred Heart, Carrickedmond for Mass of the Resurrection followed by internment in the adjoining cemetery.