Cunningham, Francie
March 11, 2010It was with shock and deep regret that the Naomh Columba Club learned of the sudden and untimely passing of Francie Cunningham.
Francie was one of Donegal's great ambassadors of Cumann Luthchleas Gael throughout the county and his passing leaves a void which will be hard to fill. The club held a special meeting on Saturday evening to make funeral arrangements and then the meeting was adjourned as a mark of respect.
Affectionately known locally as Francie Rua, one could say he was a great leader and sportsman and his love and dedication for the GAA was obvious to the wide circle who knew him. He returned to his native Parish in the mid sixties after spending a period teaching in Easkey, Co. Sligo where he also was a playing member with that club. He immediately became involved in the club both as a player and administrator and he was one of the driving forces behind the success of the Naomh Columba Club. With some of the club players out of the county in the early seventies he would not hesitate to jump into his car and leave them back after a match on a Sunday evening and never did he get recompense from the club.
On the playing field he had a very successful career with the club. He was and accomplished and determined fullback and he wore the No3 jersey with distinction. He had the honour of being selected on a Donegal county junior team in the mid sixties. He was captain of the first club junior team that won the Donegal county championship and league in 1974. he was also a prominent player on the historic Naomh Columba team that won the senior county championship, senior county league and All-Ireland Gaeltacht competitions which were held in Glencolmcille in 1978, 1989 and in 2008.
It was no surprise that a man of his talents became very much involved in the Donegal County GAA affairs.He was elected as a very young county chairman in 1974 and retained the post in 1975 and again in 1979. He was elected county treasurer in 1981 and served in this position for a further nine years. Francie was renowned both at club and county level for his great knowledge of GAA affairs and especially the rules of the association. He had great energy was was very much involved in many other organisations in his local Parish.
The esteem in which the deceased and his family are held was reflected at the huge attendance at his wake, funeral and Requiem Mass. There was representatives from many clubs in the county plus his former county officers and current officers. From Carrick bridge to St Columbas Church, Carrick, a guard of honour was formed on each side of the hearse by Francie's team mates from the 1978 team led by Jimmy Beag Cunningham ( who was team manager) and Paddy Beag Gillespie ( who was chairman in 1978). A further guard of honour was formed at the church comprising of Naomh Columba players, club officers, managers and club members, plus guards of honours from Narin and Portnoo golf club, Cashel NS, teachers from various part of the county, and members of the Donegal Education Centre, Donegal Town.
Fr Francis McAteer PP Carrick was chief celebrant along with Fr Sean O Gallachoir, PP Gortahork, Fr Eddie Gallagher PP Kilcar, Fr Philip Daly CC, Kilclooney and Fr James Anthony Boyle PP, Belfast.
In his homily Fr McAteer paid tributes to the many roles that Francie contributed to the local community and especially Cumann Luthchleas Gael.
There was a very moving tribute at the end of Mass by Vice Chairman of the Club Paddy J McGinley who said Francie's contribution to his beloved club were immeasurable, and he would be sadly missed by all his colleagues and friends in the Naomh Columba club.
The cortege from the church to the cemetery was again accompanied by a guard of honour and the coffin was draped with a club flag and a number 3 club jersey.
On behalf on the Naomh Columba Club I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to his son Shane, daughters Louise, Fionnula, Catriona and Laura, brothers Mickey, Joseph, Sean and Noel, sisters Bridget, Jenny, Margaret, Anna and Kathleen; nieces and nephews.
I am sure he is now relating the latest GAA news with his playing colleagues and club members and his old friend Sean O hEinne will be asking him if the financial affairs of the club are in a healthy state.
Slan leat a Phroinseas agus go raibh mile maith agat as ucht an obair mhor a rinne tu ar son Fho Chumainn Naomh Columha ansea i nGleann Cholm Cille. Ni bheith do leithead ann aris, mar gur duine speciala thu.
John James McLoughlin
Fho Chumainn Naomh Columba
Gleann Cholm Cille
Courtesy of the Donegal Democrat
March 11th 2010 Tweet
