Former Derry ladies’ GAA county manager
Patrick O’Donnell, who has died unexpectedly, has been described as one of the “finest”.
Tributes have been paid to Mr O’Donnell, who was originally from Banagher and was a former Derry senior county footballer.
He won an All-Ireland minor title with the county in 1983 in a team that featured a number of players who went on to win Derry’s only senior All Ireland in 1993.
He also played with the Derry under-21 side which won the Ulster Championship in 1986. A father-of-two, he passed away on Thursday at the age of 59.
Mr O’Donnell won championship and league titles with his native Banagher. He later moved to Magherafelt where he coached the O’Donovan Rossa senior men and ladies’ teams.
In a social media post, Banagher GAA said: “It’s with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announced the sudden passing of Patrick O’Donnell, a former player and a loyal and dedicated member or our club.”
The club paid tribute to Mr O’Donnell, listing his many achievements and offered sympathy to his wife, Briege and daughters, Emer and Aine and extended family.
“Patrick is one of Banagher’s finest men, always greeting people with a big smile and a word for everyone when he came into Fr McNally Park (Banagher’s home ground),” the club said.
Derry Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association offered condolences. The Association said it would be “forever grateful” for the time and effort Mr O’Donnell gave to ladies’ football in the county. His adopted club, O’Donovan Rossas said “that big smile” would be remembered by everyone who knew him.
