Sunday, August 3 marked the end of an era and it was ironic that while we all got ready to fly the white flag for Kildare in Croker against Fermanagh, Molly O'Donoghue passed away. Molly O'Donoghue was the type of woman every GAA club would love to have as a member, and at Cappagh, we are all honoured to have known her. Molly lived in Ballinakill, half way between Cappagh GAA grounds and Newtown church: two great loves of Molly's. Here she reared eight children with her late husband, Joe. She will be best remembered for her love of national games, kind heart, ability to recite a story, the trademark smile and infectious laugh (more of a constant giggle really!) and her ability to sell so many club lotto tickets! Molly's involvement started back with Cappagh GAA in the early days when she would never be found far from the teapot with her good friend Lena Downey when the club put on tea for visiting clubs, sports days or bicycle races. In 1972 with a lot of young girls playing around the pitch and no sports outlet, Molly and Lena went about organising a camogie team; this saw the foundation of Cappagh camogie club (no easy achievement for two women who never pucked a sliotar in their lives!!) What started out to be a few girls pucking around in the field turned out to be a championship winning team and in 1978, they brought the Kildare Senior and Junior Championship titles to Cappagh. Two proud women that day were Molly and Lena, who were there at all matches., at half time were there with the basket of oranges (long before energy drinks were around!) The club has since grown in strength to strength and brought home many more titles. Molly served as treasurer for many years of Cappagh Camogie Club and was later voted as President. Up to lately, if an awards night was taking place, Molly would attend and get great satisfaction from seeing the young teams getting medals or just socialising. Molly's interest did not just lie with the camogie club; Molly for many years has been one of our best lotto ticket sellers, each week Molly would send in numerous books. If you met Molly during the week, it would not be long into the chat until she would produce the tickets and you'd have to but one, didn't matter if you already had one. This proves that's its not just the big companies that does fundraising; both clubs are forever indebted to Molly for her consistent fundraising over the years. On Monday evening when Molly's funeral was arriving in Newtown, a group of over forty representatives from both the camogie and football clubs stood solemnly in a guard of honour, when a thought struck me, Molly would loved to have stopped for a chat, have a laugh and knowing Molly would have sold a few tickets too! Molly proved that you don't have to score ten points in an important game to be a valued member of the GAA club. Molly was a great example of how life should be lived , she lived it to the full, had a great positive attitude, and was involved in the senior citizens in Kilcock and Enfield, the Young at Heart in Newtown and was as active in the community as she was 30 years ago. To her sons and daughters, Michael, Thomas, Sean, Joey, Stela, Mary, Bernie and Kathleen, her grandchildren and great grandchildren,whom she was so proud of, we offer our condolences and keep them in our thoughts. To Molly, or as we knew her Mrs D we say thanks for all the work you have quietly done for both clubs over the years, for the laughs, for the friendship, the stories and the memories. Leinster Leader, 14/08/08 Tweet

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