The Late Eamon McDonnell Some Derrylin Gaels, including this writer like to consider the probability that Fermanagh's greatest ever player to wear the county colours came from the townland of Cornahoule. It was there, long before the 'All Star' concept was ever dreamt of that a young man emerged over 70 years ago to establish a leadership record that will surely never again be equalled, let alone surpassed, in captaining Fermanagh seniors, minors, Ulster Colleges and St Michael's MacRory Cup teams- all in the same year, 1932- collecting a senior championship medal with his native Knockninny Harps for good measure, and still only 18 years of age!. Small wonder than that the death of Eamon McDonnell last month can be truly regarded as marking the end of an exceptional era in Fermanagh football, and in the Derrylin annals too. For he was the last surviving link with both the last Knockninny Harps team to bring home a senior championship title (1930) and the county team which contested the 1935 Ulster senior championship and national league finals. Eamon did win Ulster Colleges medals in 1932-33 and he also captained the county seniors to a provincial Jubilee Cup triumph in 1934 - that final not being played until 1935, the same year in which an exceptional Fermanagh team ran the ultimate All-Ireland champions, Cavan to a four point margin in the Ulster final at Belturbet, on Sunday 28th July. On the back of that Jubilee Cup success came qualification for the national league final, against Mayo in Castlebar in the following month. However, the side slumped to a very heavy defeat, a result which had far reaching consequences. It marked the subsequent retirement, and emigration of the majority of the players, including Eamon, his retirement due to knee trouble. But, in his all too short playing career, he had established himself as a man of unique talent and prowess, his skills earning him selection on the Ulster Railway Cup team of 1935. This was a singular honour at a time when Fermanagh football would not have been held in very high regard by the provincial authorities. It was entirely fitting too that, shortly before he died, Eamon had the honour of being selected on the Fermanagh "Team of the Century", having previsouly (2000) become an inaugural member of the Fermanagh 'Hall of Fame'. His playing days over, Eamon concentrated on his teaching career in Belturbet where he became an outstanding educationalist. He served as Principal of the local Vocational School for many years and his organisation of night classes represented an innovative and much needed development. He was deeply religious man who was earnestly committed to helping Third World causes. he was also a highly talented artist, had great love of gardening an he enjoyed reminiscing and conversation. Above all, he was a devoted family man. The untimely death of his only son, Peter in Canada some years ago proved a very heavy cross to bear. Having been born in 1914, Eamons' lifetime almost spanned the existence of the Fermanagh County Board. But, while there are few amongst us now who would have seen him play, the values and the ideals that Eamon McDonnell and those of the time upheld are as relevant now as then. Today's club and county activists are both inheritors and custodians of that same legacy and the memory of Eamon McDonnell will surely serve as a lasting source of inspiration and self-belief through he years and the challenges ahead. Outside of his family, it is of course as a footballer that he will always be remembered with great fondness and pride, nowhere more so than in his native Derrylin from where the O'Connells Club and officially represented at his funeral in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Belturbet. The chairman of the Fermanagh County Board, Joe McGurn was also in attendance. Ar dheis lamh De go raibh a anam uasal, agus is cinne nach bhfeicimid a leithid ann aris. Courtesy of the Fermanagh Herald 3rd August 2005 Tweet

Most Read Stories