A dark cloud looms over Longford GAA following the death of one of the county’s greatest ever footballers and shrewdest administrators. Longford Slashers legend and highly respected retired St Mel’s College teacher Seán Donnelly, aged 83, who was part of the county’s historic 1966 National League and 1968 Leinster Championship winning sides, passed to his eternal reward yesterday. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO While still playing, he had the distinction of being elected as Longford GAA County Board secretary and during his term (1968 - 1977) in this role, he captained Longford to a National Football League Division 2 title (1972) and he also managed Longford in 1975. In addition, Seán was player and trainer / coach of his club Longford Slashers in 1975 as they became county champions and this was a particularly sweet triumph since the club also celebrated its 21st anniversary that year. The winner of three Sigerson Cup medals with UCG in the early sixties, Seán was selected at number fifteen on the Longford Team of the Millennium as selected by readers of the Longford Leader in 2000. Predeceased by his parents James and Anne, sister Angela and by his infant son Seán. Seán will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his 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. Born in 1940, Seán received his primary school education at Drumlish NS and Melview, before he attended St Mel’s College and went on to third level at University College Galway (now NUIG). It was during his time at UCG that Seán got to know ‘two of his childhood idols’, Seán Purcell and Frank Stockwell, both of Tuam Stars and Galway, who were revered as ‘The Terrible Twins’. Seán was an integral cog of the UCG side that reached four successive Sigerson Cup finals between 1960 &

placeholder image — A dark cloud looms over Longford GAA following the death of one of the county’s greatest ever footballers and shrewdest administrators. Longford Slashers legend and highly respected retired St Mel’s College teacher Seán Donnelly, aged 83, who was part of the county’s historic 1966 National League and 1968 Leinster Championship winning sides, passed to his eternal reward yesterday. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO While still playing, he had the distinction of being elected as Longford GAA County Board secretary and during his term (1968 - 1977) in this role, he captained Longford to a National Football League Division 2 title (1972) and he also managed Longford in 1975. In addition, Seán was player and trainer / coach of his club Longford Slashers in 1975 as they became county champions and this was a particularly sweet triumph since the club also celebrated its 21st anniversary that year. The winner of three Sigerson Cup medals with UCG in the early sixties, Seán was selected at number fifteen on the Longford Team of the Millennium as selected by readers of the Longford Leader in 2000. Predeceased by his parents James and Anne, sister Angela and by his infant son Seán. Seán will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his 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. Born in 1940, Seán received his primary school education at Drumlish NS and Melview, before he attended St Mel’s College and went on to third level at University College Galway (now NUIG). It was during his time at UCG that Seán got to know ‘two of his childhood idols’, Seán Purcell and Frank Stockwell, both of Tuam Stars and Galway, who were revered as ‘The Terrible Twins’. Seán was an integral cog of the UCG side that reached four successive Sigerson Cup finals between 1960 &

Longford GAA mourns death of one of the county’s greatest ever footballers

By Alan Walsh

Managing Editor

Published 3rd Jan 2024, 17:28 GMT

Updated 4th Jan 2024, 14:52 GMT

Longford Slashers legend and highly respected retired St Mel’s College teacher Seán Donnelly, has passed away, aged 83

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Caption: 1966 National Football League Final ‘Proper’ Homecoming: “The Boys of the Blue and Gold”. From a Glennon Brothers truck, Sean Donnelly, Sean Murray and captain Brendan Barden display the National League Trophy as the triumphant Longford team were greeted in Longford town on Monday, October 10, 1966 following their 1-18 to 0-17 aggregate win over New York in the NFL Final ‘Proper’. Other players in view are John Donlon, Larry Gillen and Peter Sheridan.

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Caption: 1968 Leinster Senior Football Champions: The Longford team that overcame Laois to claim the county's only ever provincial senior title. Front row l to r; Pat Barden, Brendan Barden, JP Reilly, Vincent Daly (capt.), John Heneghan, Sean Donnelly and Sean Murray. Back; John Donlon, Larry Gillen, Jimmy Flynn, Tom Mulvihill, Mick Hopkins, Seamus Flynn, Jimmy Hannify and Jackie Devine.

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Caption: Stars and opponents of the 60's...Longford defeated Galway in the 1966 NFL 'Home' Final and pictured at Saturday's Gala Banquet were l to r; Martin Newell (Galway), Sean Donnelly (Longford) and Anne Donnelly, Christy Tyrrell (Galway), Bosco McDermott (Galway) and Jackie Devine (Longford).

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Caption: GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghaíl, Longford GAA Central Council Representative Cllr Micheál Carrigy, Longford GAA Chairman Brendan Gilmore and Longford 1966 & '68 player Seán Donnelly pictured with Galway players from the 60's Christy Tyrrell, Bosco McDermott, Sean Cleary and Martin Newell. Photo by Declan Gilmore

Longford GAA mourns death of one of the county’s greatest ever footballers

Longford Slashers legend and highly respected retired St Mel’s College teacher Seán Donnelly, has passed away, aged 83

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