Cavan Obituaries 1999

Niall McNamee RIP
Friday the 18th of September will not be easily forgotten as the entire community of Maghera and the area for miles around were numbed and silenced by the tragic death of Niall McNamee.
The suddenness of his passing, the disbelief that the tragedy had happened at all, the hope that there was a mistake, left the community in the limbo of shock.
Wherever the people of Maghera met the mention of Niall brought tears.
To his family this was a heavy cross; to lose a son, a brother in the prime of his youth.
Their great loss is shared by the entire community. For the members of the local GAA club (Maghera Mac Finns) there was that stunned silence and disbelief that Niall was called from them. The long day and the longer night of vigil scarcely broke the realisation that ‘Yes it was true.”
They now began to remember. The living Niall with that quick smile and cheerful greeting. The Niall who had that sense of fun who would blow the horn, flash the lights or wave a hand in a friendly greeting. The Niall who loved life and lived it to the full, young or old, and brightened the lives of those with whom he came in contact with his good humour.
He was bursting with energy and though his stay with us was short he packed a lot into it. Niall had a special affinity with those in their teens, who will miss his cheerful call for football training and matches.
Niall was truly missed and truly mourned by every section of the community in which he lived. The attendance at his funeral, the mass and the final journey underline the love and affection which his team-mates and the people of the area felt for him.
He has touched all our lives by his presence, by his generous spirit and by his determination to live each day to the full.
The tragic suddenness of Niall’s passing stunned us all, but he will always hold a special place in our hearts and will not be forgotten.
‘Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis’
Maghera Mac Finns GFC

Paraic McHugh RIP
The late Paraic McHugh died at the age of 46 years. He played underage football and senior football with his club for many years He was Secretary of the club for over 20 years and everywhere that Cavan played, Paraic was sure to be there. But on the 24th of August, 1998, Paraic died after a very short illness. He was a true gentleman. There was great sadness in the club and surrounding areas. Paraic was known to be a very quiet and hardworking person. Sadly missed by Corlough GFC.

Tony Brady RIP
We mourn the passing of former Crosserlough star Tony Brady who died tragically in June of 1998. Having played minor football for Cavan he was part of Crosserloughs great 7-in-a-row teams. Tony subsequently emigrated to New York; there he played for the New York team and had the distinction of playing in a National League final. A guard of honour by Crosserlough GFC and former players was formed at his funeral.

The late Jude Daly
The Cuchulainns GAA club and the parish of Mullagh, as a whole, lost a good friend in Jude Daly who passed away in January last.
A man who was the backbone of a number of organisations in the parish, the deceased had a particular interest in Gaelic games and his involvement in the local Sky Blues was never anything less than passionate and wholehearted.
Jude’s demise, after a short illness, has robbed the Mullagh area of a very popular member of the community and a person who will be very difficult to replace at Cuchulainns GFC in particular, where his ability to work with the underage players was especially valuable to his beloved club. May he rest in peace.

Hughie Smith RIP
The family and the people of Mullahoran mourn the death of Hughie Smith who died in New Hyde Park, New York on 16th January 1999.
When Hugh arrived in New York in 1958 he set out, with missionary zeal, to promote his three loves, Football and Irish Music and Dancing.
He served Cavan GAA in New York at all levels, winning a championship medal in 1959, he organised and played with the over 40s for many years and served as President for a number of years.§
He was North American Director of Comhaltas Cheoltoiri Eireann. He organised the Comhaltas tours and arranged accommodation for all the musicians.
Hugh was President of the Irish/American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens and worked night and day on the restoration of the Irish Centre in Mineola.
What gave him greatest pride and satisfaction was the erection of a monument at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Mullahoran in remembrance of all emigrants who left the parish down the centuries. He was president of the Mullahoran Social club in New York who raised the funds for the monument and arranged for large numbers from the US and England to return for the unveiling in August 1997 as part of Famine remembrance celebrations.
Hugh was a regular visitor to Ireland for the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil and for football games in Breffni Park, Clones and Croke Park. He was really proud when Mullahoran won the championship in 98 with his nephew Sean Smith on the team.
- Mullahoran GFC