The late Murt O'Donnell Son of Limerick father, Murt lived all his life at the entrance gate to the hurling field which, was later called O'Keefe park after the late Bob O'Keefe, a school teacher in the village who was president of the GAA. Bob O'Keefe a native of Mooncoin taught in Borris-in-Ossory where Murt O'Donnell would have been among his pupils. The great Kilkenny man obviously had a big influence on the youth of the parish, four years after his death Murt O'Donnell and his neighbours Christy O'Brien led the village in victory in the Intermediate final, a year after they regained the junior title for the first time in twelve years. The much sought after senior title arrived exactly fifty years ago when they defeated the champions Cullohill on a scoreline of 2-09 to 2-06, the team included three Kelly's and three Kealys, two O'Briens, two Bergins and of course Murt. This was to be the beginning of the Golden Era of the red and white. A year later they beat Clonad in the semi-final but Cuddagh refused to play the final and Borris were awarded their second title. Christy O'Brien was the first Borris man to receive the O'Keefe cup, named after the famous schoolteacher in the village. A year later Borris reached their third decider but lost a replay to Clonad. When an emerging Camross team beat them in the 1959 final it looked as if their reign was ended but a year later they pipped Portlaoise by a point to win their third title and in '61 retained the trophy, easily disposing of Cuddagh in the final. This team included three O'Brien's, the late Bro. Basil joined his brothers Paddy and Christy, the two O'Haras, Tom and Sean, were new kids in the block, behind them was an excellent goalie Patsy Keenhan, Murt O'Donnell excelled at midfield. A year later Borris qualified for another three in a row but as they did in '58 Clonad denied them and that was the end of the great team. Murt then became an excellent and fair referee. He spent all his leisure hours working for the GAA and The Village, the great days may have been over for Borris but Murt worked away for the love of red and white. 1982 was to be wonderful year for him. He was appointed chairman of the Feile committee. Laois and Offaly hosted the prestigious competition, that was a marvellous success. Later that year O'Keefe park staged the Laois minor and senior finals, this was a major occasion for the club and Murt co-ordinated a wonderful days work and weeks of hard work much earlier. To add to the occasion Borris played Rathdowney in the minor final and regained a title last won in 1968. Pat O'Brien son of Christy was team captain and later that year the club added the u/21 title. Then a year later the same Pat O'Brien captained Laois to their first provincial hurling title in nineteen years, a proud day for Murt but sadly he never saw another provincial trophy come to the county. His great friend Canon Sean Collier was team coach, Murt then went on to become a steward in Croke Park on big match days where he was highly respected, Murt himself had the proud distinction of helping Laois hurlers win a National Hurling League title at Croke Park in 1962. He worked many for many years with Laois County Council where he made so many friends. He became ill two years ago but had been in good health up to recently. In 1994 he was a proud man when his son Cathal captained Borris to their third minor tile defeating Rathdowney. Then in 1996 he was invited to a celebration of twenty five of Feile in Thurles and he was overcome when it was announced that the Laois Feile na nGael of "82" had been chosen as the best organised Feile in twenty five years. In 1989 Murt was the chairman of the organising committee to honour the Laois team of 1949 and again he did a wonderful job. His passing will leave a void in a county that has craved success, although a proud hurling man he shared in the success of the footballers in the past ten years. Bob O'Keefe passed away just after he learned that Laois had won the Leinster final of '49. Murt O'Donnell passed away just hours after Laois added another football title. May he rest in peace. To his wife Mary, his son Cathal and daughter Fiona, deepest sympathy is extended. His remains were removed to Borris-in-Ossory Church and cemetery. Courtesy of The Leinster Express 5 April 2006 Tweet

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