In what was one of the biggest funerals Fermanagh has seen in recent years, thousands of people have paid tribute to the man who is widely regarded as being one of the key figures in the GAA here over the past quarter of a century. Derrylin came to a standstill as people from all over Ireland came to pay their respects to Paddy Donnelly who died on Wednesday morning last, after a long battle with cancer. He was 54. In what was an impressive tribute to the longest serving county secretary in Ulster - Mr Donnelly held the position for 26 years - fellow Gaels from every club in the county and wearing their club colours lined the route from his home at Mullyneely to St Ninnidh's Church in Derrylin. Reflecting his involvement in GAA matters at many different levels Mr Donnelly's coffin was draped with the flag of Cumann Luthcleas Gael along with the jerseys of Fermanagh, Derrylin O'Connells, and his native Coa O'Dwyers. Diversions were in place for the removal of the remains and the funeral on Friday morning to allow thousands of mourners to visit the Donnelly family home and attend the Requiem Mass. The local secondary school, St Aidan's, where Mr Donnelly and his wife Anna were both members of the teachings staff, closed for the day as a mark of respect. Among those who attended the funeral were GAA people from all over Ireland, including Padraic Duffy and Ciaran O'Neill from Central Council, Gerry McCague on behalf of his brother GAA President Sean McCague who is currently in Australia, Ulster Council President Danny Murphy and chairman John O'Reilly. A guard of honour was also provided by pupils from St Aidan's Secondary School from which Mr Donnelly had been forced to retire last year due to his illness. Colleagues and friends have spoken of the immense contribution the Coa man has made to the GAA in Fermanagh over the years and after the Requiem Mass President of the County Board Joe McGurn said his hard work, efficiency and friendship would be badly missed. As Fermanagh secretary Mr Donnelly was responsible for much of the day-to-day running of the biggest sporting organisation in Fermanagh including the drawing up of fixtures. He was one of the key movers behind the new county training centre at Lissan, outside Enniskillen and according to family friends continued to take a keen interest in GAA affairs right up until the time of his death. The large crowd who attended the funeral - many of whom braved the elements in the church grounds - also heard local parish priest describe Mr Donnelly as a devoted father and husband and a valued member of the local community. "He lived and breathed GAA but he was essentially a family man, whenever I would see him out he always seemed to be flanked by the family." Fr McKiernan was assisted in celebrating Mass by the parish priest and curate from Mr Donnellys native parish of Kilskeery, Fr John McKenna and Fr Artie McCann, along with Fr Tom Breen, PP Dromore, Fr Gerry Comiskey, CC, Kinawley, Fr Maurice McMorrow, Teemore, Fr Joe Gunn, chaplain at Queen's University Belfast and Fr Joseph McGuinness president of St Michael's College, Enniskillen. Although unable to attend the funeral, family friend and prior at the Graan Monastery Fr Brian Darcy visited the Donnelly home to offer his condolences. With much of his media work based in Belfast Fr D'Arcy regularly visited Mr Donnelly in hospital and he spoke of his shock and sadness at hearing of his untimely death. "I know Paddy a very long time but I got to know him a lot better in the past year, you really get to know someone why they are ill and Paddy was extraordinary brave in his illness. He was meticulous in following what the doctors said, he read up everything there was to know about his illness and he never gave up, all he was interested in was getting well again for his family." October 2001 Tweet

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