Ballinlough GFC pays tribute to late Declan McNamee

Ballinlough GFC has paid tribute to club member and juvenile mentor Declan McNamee of Balgree, Carnaross, who passed away suddenly earlier this week.

Writing on its Facebook page, the club spoke of how it had once again been plunged into sadness with the "news of the unexpected and untimely death of much loved mentor and friend Declan McNamee".

Ballinlough GFC recalled how Declan started playing with the club at U-12 level in the early 90s, and he was on the U-14 panel which lost a championship final in 1993. He continued to play underage all through his teens and eventually played for the Ballinlough Junior team in the late 90’s/early 00’s.

"He made his senior championship debut in Athboy in 2002 coming on to help Ballinlough beat Dunderry. He was on the senior panel for a number of years before heading for Australia for a few years travelling with friends. But while he enjoyed a good career playing with Ballinlough, Declan really excelled when he joined the juvenile coaching setup in 2017. Having a couple of young lads playing for Ballinlough was a great source of pride for Declan and he was exceptional at nurturing young talent and helping our underage players find their feet and their place in the club. He also supported the club financially sponsoring a set of juvenile jerseys, when the call came through Declan didn’t hesitate to say yes."

"Declan will be so sadly missed by not only those players and mentors but all of us within the club and indeed the wider parish. He was never short of a smile and a cheeky quip.

"To his heartbroken wife Mary, his children, Jamie, Kieran, Shea & Sophie, his parents Seamus and Teresa & sister Ciara, we can only offer our condolences and the hug of friendship that might get you through this terrible time."

Declan's Funeral Mass takes place on Saturday, 10th September, at 12 noon in The Church of the Assumption, Ballinlough, Kells, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.