The late Donal McGrath It was with deep regret that members of the Kill GAA club learned of the death of Donal McGrath as a result of a mountaineering accident on St. Patrick's Day. Donal, a very experienced climber, had travelled to Wales with a group from the Comeragh Mountaineering Club to climb Snowdon, the highest peak in Great Britain. The accident happened shortly after their descent and Donal died as a result of a head injury. A native of Co. Tyrone, Donal came to Waterford as a bricklayer and joined Kill, then county senior football champions, in 1967 and played at right corner back, gave many outstanding displays as well as winning two senior county football titles in 1967 and 1968. Probably his greatest performance ever in the green and white jersey was against the then Cork champions, Beara, which included many prominent county players, in the Munster club semi-final at Fermoy in 1968. Had Donal played his club football in his native county, there is no doubt that he would have worn the famous Red Hand of Ulster jersey. Due to family circumstances, Donal returned early from playing and being domiciled at Knockeen, Butlerstown as a trainer, mentor and selector, he guided the near city club to two county senior football semi-final appearances. Donal, a retired FAS instructor, was a man of many talents and, amongst other things, was an excellent musician, and an accomplished wood turner and carver, with bog oak workings his speciality. As a mark of respect, the Butlerstown and Kill GAA clubs formed a joint guard of honour at his funeral in Butlerstown on Friday last as an outstanding Gael and sportsman was laid to rest. The Kill GAA club wish to sincerely sympathise with his daughter, Roisin; his brothers and sisters and extended family and friends, as well as his colleagues in the Comeragh Mountaineering Club. At dheis De go raibh a ainm. Courtesy of the Waterford News & Star 31 March 2006 Tweet

Most Read Stories