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: 'The Golden Years', a fly on the wall account of four incredible years for Longford GAA 1965 - '68, was launched in Longford Library and pictured at the launch were star players from that era Jackie Devine (left) and Seán Donnelly (right), along with Mattie Fox, author of 'The Golden Years'. Photo by Shelley Corcoran

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Caption: UCG team of 1962, winners of the Sigerson Cup. Front row: Eamonn Slattery, Seamus Kilraine, Christy Tyrrell, Hugh McGonigle (capt), Sean Donnelly, Sean Gannon and Jimmy Jordan. Back row: Pateen Donnellan, Kevin Moyles, Mick Moylett, Tom Gilmore, Martin Newell, Mike O’Shea, Enda Colleran and Kieran O’Connor.

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Caption: Teaching staff of St Mel's College in 1980. Front row l to r; Seamus McMonagle, Fr Michael Bannon, Loreto Fahy, Mel Murtagh (Deputy Principal), Fr James Bland (President) Bernie Hurney, Fr Michael Reilly. Middle Row: Denis Glennon, Joe Walsh, Pat Doherty, Fr Peter Burke, Tom McGuinness, John Maloney, Pat Fahy, Pat Flanagan, Sean Donnelly, Tiernan Dolan. Back row; Don Murphy, Jim Waldron, Donal Hughes, Matt Hynes, Fr Owen Devaney, Hal Carey, Fr Peter Brady, Fr Frank Garvey and Des Guckian. Missing from photo Benny Nerney

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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