The Late Malachy Donnellan The communities of Kilbeacanty, Maree and most of South Galway were brought together recently to mourn the death of one its best known citizens. Malachy Donnellan was born on the 3rd of December, 1912. He passed away peacefully, though unexpectedly on the day of his 90th birthday. He was born in Maree, and it was while he was growing up there that he developed a life long love for the game of hurling. Early in his hurling career he was one of three brothers on the Maree team that won the county senior championship in 1933. They played in the Maree colours at that time as they did not join forces with Oranmore until a number of years and, along with his brother, Willie, he was part of the Galway panel that won the All-Ireland junior championship in 1939. Towards the end of his playing days, in 1950, he won another county championship level with Oranmore. He went to live in Kilbeacanty in 1955 when he married Bridie Callanan. He grew to love his adopted parish as much as he loved his native Maree. He had two daughters, Phil (Glynn), Kilbeacanty and Angela (Marry), Balrath, Co. Meath. He was predeceased by his sister, Peggy, Kinvara and his brothers,Jack, Isle of Wright, Mansie, Maree, Willie, Athenry and Fr Felim of rhe Cistercian Order, Nunrow Abbey, Scotland. Malachy had a long and distinguished career with Galway County Council. He was an overseer for the Gort area for many years prior to his retirement in 1977. During those years he gained an intimate knowledge of every road and townland in South Galway. He seemed to know everybody who lived in the area and was loved and respected by all. He loved going back to Maree to celebrate the jubilee of their hurling successes and it was after one such function in 1983 to commemorate the 1933 win that Malachy was quoted in this paper as offering the following advice to the current team. "Playing every game determined to win, but win or lost play it clean. It isn't the trophies you win you will be remembered by but how you played the game:. These words represent not just Malachy's outlook on sport, but also the way he lived his life. He was very highly regarded by his former colleagues, neighbours and hurling acquaintances and this was demonstrated by the large attendance at the removal from Gort and again at the funeral Mass, which took place at Kilbeacanty. The funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Paddy Callanan, P.P.. The Concelebrants were Fr Bernard Duffy, retired P.P. and Fr Joe Glynn, Carmelite Fathers, Loughrea. Ar láimh dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis Courtesy of the Connacht Tribune December 2002 Tweet

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