The Late Liam Gormley The small parish of Aughawillan was numbed to the core with the sudden and untimely death of Liam Gormley on February 1, 2004. What began as a celebration and a get-together for the 1978 Leitrim Senior championships winning team in the Slieve Russell Hotel ended in the tragic passing of the first member of the historic group of players at the comparatively young age of 58. Liam was born in Boeshill and attended Aughawillan National School and Ballinamore Vocational School. Like many of his classmates, he left home at a tender age to work in Dublin to pursue his trade as a carpenter. During his time in the capital he became involved in playing football and was a familiar figure in Leitrim circles where he was affectionately known as Sam among his friends. In the early days he played with a number of Dublin and interfirm teams. In the late 1960's as there was no team in Aughawillan, Liam played his club football with Drumreilly, as did a number of other Aughawillan residents of the time. He was to the forefront of a group of Dublin-based players who gave their loyalty and unstinting support to the newly revived Aughawillan team in 1972. This handy footballer, noted for his long kick out, reaped probably one of his greatest rewards when he proudly captained the newly formed club to their first championship success by winning the Leitrim Junior Championship in 1974. More success was soon to follow when he was a winner of two Senior Championship medals, as fullback on the historic 1976 team and a second in the same position on the 1978 team. His display in the full 1978 final against Gortletteragh will always be remembered for his match-saving intervention in the dying minutes to prevent a certain goal. Liam commuted from Dublin to home every weekend to visit his mother. He frequently obliged many young people from the area with transport to and from the city. When he returned to reside in Aughawillan permanently, he quickly immersed himself in every aspect of GAA activity: vie-chairman, manager, selector, linesman, umpire, pitch lining, handyman. He was immensely proud of Aughawillan's achievements and would often quote with vivid memory the exploits of his favourites: Sean Flanagan, Frank Smyth, Mickey Quinn, Thomas Quinn, Pius Flanagan and co. Apart from his love of GAA and indeed all the sporting codes, Liam was a highly respected builder much sought after over a wide area of south Leitrim and west Cavan. When needed in times of emergency or to carry out home improvements, he was equally obliging to all his neighbours. Liam was an intelligent and well-informed man. He could express his point of view but was never overbearing. For all his talents, he was a most unassuming person who never sought the limelight. He was a talented footballer and a talented tradesman who loved his work. He had many friends and no enemies. Above all, he had a great rapport with young people and endorsed his faith in them by providing employment and sharing his wisdom at every opportunity. to many of them he was a father figure. He loved his native Aughawillan, his farm and his neighbours. His numeric skills made him an excellent cards and darts enthusiast. He led a very active life and among his many hobbies were hunting, shooting and the odd spot of fishing. For those of us who knew him well his sudden and unexpected death seems somewhat surreal. A familiar voice and a familiar face are gone forever and there is a deep sense of loss. While we are consoled he has reached his eternal reward, it brings into sharp focus the relative shortness and fragility of life. Liam holds a special place for all of us who knew him well and had the privilege of playing football alongside him, working with him, seeking his advice or simply being in his company. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Stephen, and is survived by his sisters Kathleen and Margaret. Ar dheis De ar anam dhilis. Tweet

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