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06 Sept 2025

Longford GAA club pays tribute to six time championship winner and 'prolific scorer' Donald Smith

Donald represented Clonguish for many years during the glorious 1960’s as a player and as club secretary in later years

Longford GAA club pays tribute to six time championship winner and 'prolific scorer' Donald Smith

Late Donald Smith, Kilmore , Clondra, Longford

Reporter:

Longford Leader reporter

03 Nov 2024 5:00 PM

Email:

newsroom@longfordleader.ie

A Longford GAA club has paid a poignant tribute to six time championship winner and 'prolific scorer' Donald Smith of Kilmore , Clondra, who passed to his eternal reward on Friday, November 1. 

Clonguish GAA stated that they were 'deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Donald Smith'.
"Donald represented Clonguish for many years during the glorious 1960’s as a player and as club secretary in later years.
"Donald played on all of the four record breaking in a row Senior Championship winning teams from 1962-1965.
"Clonguish lost out in 1966 and 1967 but returned to the pinnacle in 1968 and 1969 when Donald was again a regular starter in all games.
"Donald was a prolific scorer from corner forward and was widely feared for his ability to punch the ball over the bar from upwards of 30 yards. A fantastic skill with a heavy water soaked leather football, not your ordinary O’Neills size 5.
"In total Donald won six Senior Championships in the sixties together with an array of League and Tournament successes.
Photo: Clonguish, 1964 Longford senior football champions, with the Sean Connolly Cup. Front row l to r; Bertie Allen, Kevin Doyle, Brendan Barden, Paddy Hanrahan (captain), Gene Flynn, Donald Smith and Maurice Murphy. Middle; Jimmy Flynn, Seamus Flynn, Mick Hopkins, Liam Flynn, PJ Murphy and PJ Moolick. Back; Brendan Murphy, John Joe O’Reilly, Oliver Barden, Eamon Barden, Willie Gallagher, Gerry Hopkins, Pat Burke, PJ Monaghan and Johnny Flynn.
"Donald then served as Club Secretary for a number of years once his playing days had finished.
"That link is still maintained with his grandson’s Conor and Robert Smith representing Clonguish at Senior and Minor level with great distinction currently.
"We offer our deepest sympathies to the Smith family and to Donald’s many friends.
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
Donald, who was also very well known through his work with An Post, Longford, was predeceased by his parents Bill and Margaret, sisters Patricia and Baby Sheila, brothers Liam and Mel and by his infant son Aidan.
Donald will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his family, beloved wife Myra (nee Duffy), daughters Carmel, Edel, Sheila, Maggie, Helen, Bernie, Frankie and Vera, sons Raymond, Kieran, James and John, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren Andrea, Rachel, Leanne, Eoin, Christina, Michael, Cian, Grace, Fergal, Clara, Mark, Clodagh, Oscar, Dorothy, Roy, Leo, Rebecca, Conor, Robert, Thomas, Molly and Cillian, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

The late Donald Smith will repose at Glennon’s Funeral Home, Ballinalee Road (N39 EC81) on Sunday, November 3 from 5pm concluding with prayers at 7pm.

Mass of the Resurrection takes place on Monday, November 4 in St Mary’s Church, Newtownforbes at 12 noon. Interment afterwards in Newtownforbes Cemetery. The Funeral Mass will be streamed live HERE.  

May he rest in peace.

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