The late John Browne In Carrick the Gaels of the South West said farewell to one of the best known footballers in the county, John Browne, of Carrick. He was laid to rest after Requiem Mass in Carrick with his cousin, Fr. Hugh Brendan Harkin, SMA, Cork as chief celebrant, assisted by Fr. Eddie Gallagher and Fr. John Joe Duffy. Throughout the 1930's John Browne was a prominent Donegal GAA footballer and his most notable achievement was to play on the first county team to play in Croke Park in the Junior All-Ireland final. John, at 95 years, was the last surviving member of that team, who had defeated Derry by 3-7 to 1-3 in the Ulster final in Letterkenny and them accounted for Cork in Croke Park in the All-Ireland semi-final by 1-8 to 2-3. John was a lover of all sports and one story related by Fr. Eddie Gallagher was about a recent visit to see John in hospital in Killybegs, the day that Ireland won the triple crown in rugby. "His wife, Lil, was giving out that he had no time to talk to me because he was watching the match," said Fr. Eddie. In his Homily at the Requiem Mass, Fr. Eddie gave an account of John's life as a faithful and humble servant who had travelled to the Phoenix Park in 1932 for the Eucharistic Congress and he remembered all about the day. Fr. Eddie also had a little story from his Glenfin days about the 1933 All-Ireland defeat related by Paddy Doherty on his return from the game on the Monday afterwards. "When approached by a few local boys who wanted to know the score, Paddy exaggerated reply was: "Bishop McNeely threw in the ball and he was the last Donegal man to touch it". Fr. Gallagher also related a story about the humility of John Browne. After the death of Tom Farren, the then President of the GAA in the county, Fr. Eddie said himself along with Padraig Carr and the late Michael Oliver McIntyre had approached John to nominate him for the position as President, but he would not allow them to put his name forward, saying that he hadn't done enough to receive the honour. "John Browne was born on St. Stephens' Day, 1910 and he was a faithful servant to the Mass, to God, Lil and the community. Bhi se dilis go bas," said Fr. Eddie. At the funeral the Donegal Co. Board were represented by chairman, Charlie O'Donnell and secretary, Crona Regan, while officers of the Cill Chartha club with whom he played most of his football were also represented. Predeceased by his parents Phil and Susan; by brothers Patrick, Phelim, Colm, Joe; sisters Mary, Annie, Nora and Evelyn, John is survived by his wife, Lil and by many relatives and friends. Courtesy of the Donegal Democrat 13 April 2006 Tweet

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