RIP: Longford mourns deaths of renowned footballer and superb power station manager Harry McGann

The loss of a local iconic figure brought the entire area to a standstill when the news broke on Tuesday, February 18 last of the death at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, of Harry McGann, Ballyleague.

Harry was predeceased by his sons Billy and John, his sister Maura just three weeks ago and his brothers Padraig, Liam and Michael.

He was a native of Ballymahon and renowned for his prowess on the football field with his native Ballymahon and the Longford county team in some of their great days of the 50’s, he was also known to try his hand with a no little success at rugby at a time it was frowned upon within the GAA and in later years he became very proficient in the game of golf.

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Harry and his wife Patricia arrived and they set up their home in Ballyleague when he was appointed manager at the power station in Lanesboro via a circuitous route taking him from Newcastle (England) to Cork, Rhode and Ferbane.

He had a reputation of being a man of great integrity, a superb and fair manager in the power station with an acknowledged unlimited loyalty to all his staff.

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Harry was a very intelligent, articulate and well-read man with a fantastic attention to detail whether in the written or spoken word or in the workings of the station but what he really loved most was the company and achievements of his family and he took great pride in all their successes.

Throughout my parents and my time he was an exceptional family friend, confidant, advisor and loyal customer - he never missed a day coming into the shop for his Irish Times.

His daily chat, wit and banter with all that came into the shop will always be fondly remembered. Harry had a great pride of place in his adopted home of Ballyleague and Lanesboro.

He wanted the best for the community and he was always very encouraging to everyone young and old to be the very best they could be no matter what they were doing.

Harry has left an indelible mark in not only our community and the wider community and we benefited greatly and richly by his presence.

He will be sadly missed by everyone that knew him and our hearts are very heavy at his passing but his memory leaves us with a lasting legacy that will live on and on as soon as we think of or someone mentions the name Harry McGann.

His remains reposed at Smyth’s Funeral Home on Thursday last before he was brought to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague.

On Friday following his Funeral Mass he was laid to rest in Cloontuskert Cemetery.

To his wife Patricia, his sons Martin, Tom and Mark, his brother Frank, daughter-in-law Kay, grandchildren, great grandchildren, we extend our deepest sympathy.

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Harry McGann passed away last week. He won MFC, JFC & Leader Cup with Ballymahon and played Minor, Junior & Senior for Longford. Harry made his Longford Senior debut vs Laois in 1956 Leinster SFC and played 31 Senior games in NFL (19) & Leinster C'ship (12) from 1956-1964. RIP. pic.twitter.com/8r1FI7i1Kv

— Longford Gaelic Stats (@LDGaelicStats) February 24, 2025