County legend laid to rest

Mourners at the funeral of former Meath footballer and hurler Dinny Donnelly in Kilmessan last week heard him described a man who never indulged in or sought the accolades one often associates with successful sportstars. Parish priest Fr Terry Toner recalled how the former Meath football captain went about his business quietly, and it was only on reading the newspaper reports or seeing the medal collection in the Donnelly household that one realises the talented footballer and hurler that the deceased was. Throngs streamed through the Donnelly home in Kilmessan since his death on Monday night of last week, and hundreds attended the funeral Mass in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday morning. Mr Donnelly (72) had captained the Meath team to victory in the 1964 Leinster championship final over Dublin, and was a member of the Meath team beaten by Enda Colleran"s Galway in the western side"s third All-Ireland in a row in 1966. From one of the Hill of Tara"s oldest families, he held medals with clubs on both sides of the historic hill, winning numerous hurling championships with Kilmessan and a senior football championship with Skryne. He also played hurling with Meath, winning two junior championships, and was joint winner of the 1963 puc fada in the Cooley Mountains with Ollie Walsh of Kilkenny and Tom Geary of Waterford. However, his love was of country life and he loved nothing better than travelling to all corners of the country with his faithful dogs to check on his livestock, Fr Toner added, as well as his enjoyment of following the local hunt. The priest also recalled Mr Donnelly"s care for his late wife, Brigid, who passed away three years ago having suffered illness for over two decades. Generations of Meath footballers from Matt Gilsenan and Brian Smith to those who played with Dinny Donnelly, including Ollie Shanley, Peter Darby, Pat Reynolds, Tony Brennan, Noel Curran, Paddy Mulvany, David Carty, Terry Kearns, Pat Collier, Mattie Kerrigan and Bertie Cunningham, as well as those of a more recent era who played hurling and football with Mr Donnelly"s sons, were present in Kilmessan last week to pass on their sympathies, as were the many who played with Mr Donnelly"s sons and daughters on the hurling, football and camogie playing fields in more recent times. The attendance also saw many customers and suppliers of the family"s renowned butcher"s shop in Kilmessan. Members of the family, including nephew, horsetrainer Tony Martin, carried Mr Donnelly"s remains from the house, and the coffin was carried by former Meath, Kilmessan and Skryne team mates to the church. Readings and prayers were carried out by family members and former Meath player, Paddy Mulvany, and a hurley and sliothar, and football, were brought up in the Offertory. Some of Mr Donnelly"s favourite airs, 'The Boston Burglar" and 'The Old Bog Road" were performed. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Toner, assisted by Fr Joe Gleeson, Skryne, Fr Oliver Devine, Kildalkey, and Fr Brendan Cahill, Warrenstown College. Mr Donnelly is survived by his sons, Willie, Paul, Tony and David; daughters Ann Gorman and Aileen; sister, Marie Martin, Kildalkey, son-in-law, Peter Gorman; daughter-in-law, Mary; grandchildren, Lauren, Kyle, Conor and Abbie; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Burial took place in Kilmessan Cemetery.