GEORGIE O'TOOLE (RIP) The people of Annaduff, Carrick-on-Shannon and, indeed, all of Co Leitrim have lost yet another leading GAA figure and an eminent businessman. Georgie and his sister Mrs Veronica Kenny were the family of Lizzie Rowley and Bemard O'Toole, from Corrig, Annaduff. "Corrig" means "rock" and quarrying was carried on and the family nickname was "The Rocks". During the late 1920's and early 1930's, Georgie attended Annaduff N.S. At that time The Presentation Brothers in Carrick-onShannon held a sports for primary schools, under NACA Rules, in Shannon Lodge which was the land owned by Hugh Dolan V.S. In the years 1935,1936 and 1937 Georgie was a consistent winner at the sports. Among the other winners were his friends Seamie Butler, Chris Lynch, Aidan Nangle and M. Colreavy. Georgie became a lifelong friend of the young Dolans and he was very saddened by the death last September of Dermot Dolan V S., Longford. He got his secondary schooling in Carrick VS. and he completed a secretarial course which stood him in good stead for the rest of his life. He joined Gilmartin's Cash & Carry, Carrick, in 1943. He quickly became the confidant and manager forJohn Gilmartin who had a thriving Wholesale business dealing in groceries, wines and spirits, in Carrick. By I983 John Gilmartin & Co. Ltd had expanded in Carrick and had two extra branches in Galway Road, Claremorris and in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. He retired in 1991. While in Annaduff N.S., Georgie had played for the school team. Inter-school matches were just starting. One famous match at the time was against Eslin. According to Paddy Fox, the first match played, in Francie McCrann's field was a draw. T.P. Mulligan was the star on the Eslin side. In the replay his Annaduff cousin Vincie "The Major" Reynolds, Georgie and others decided they could outplay them and so they did, by 1-3 to 1-1. Annaduff GAA Club was refommed in 1938. Georgie was a youthful panel member when they won the Co. Leitrim Junior Championshlp of 1941. Prominent on that team were Gerry McManus, Pa Notley, Paddy "Butsie" Faughnan, Tom Kieman (Capt), Francie Lynch, Tom Boyle, Seamie Butler, Bamey Faughnan, Gavan Duffy, John Doran, Walter Notley, Jack Lenihan, Tommy Gilhooly, Chris Lynch and Joe Masterson. +Early in 1948, Annaduff Club broke up. At that time two Annaduff men were in charge of the Carrick-on-Shannon Club. They were Fr Bemie Keville CC (A native of Fedoro) who was Chairman and Georgie O'Toole who was both Secretary and Treasurer. Some Annaduff players joined Carrick and a new club called Shannon Gaels was formed. By Easter 1948 Georgie, the late Jack McNally and the youthful Eugene Boland were on the Co. Leitrim Junior team. Soon Georgie, Jack, Paddy "Butsie'Faughnan, Francie Lynch, Eugene Boland, Jim Fox and Ray Beime played for Co. Leitrim Seniors. Emigration took its toll and Shannon Gaels fell apart. Carrick, wlth Georgle as Captain, won the Leitrim Senior Championshlp in 1958. Georgie continued with Carrick and the St. Mary's No 3 jersey was on this coffin on the day of his removal. Georgie became synonymous with the development of Co Leitrim's GAA grounds in Carrick-on-Shannon. Called Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, it was opened by GAA President Alf Murray in May 1964. Mac Diarmada was one of the seven leaders who signed the Easter Proclamation of the Republic and who rebelled in Dublin in Easter 1916. The foundation stone of the Sean Mac Diammada memorial in Glenfame, was laid in May 1936 but it was four years more before it was unveiled. The new Co. GAA Grounds was a full County recognition of Mac Diarmada's sacrifice. Georgie was a competent and efficient Chairman of Leitrim GAA Co. Board for a full ten years from 1971-81. In 1995 he was elected honorary President of Leitrim GAA. During his period as Chairman, many club grounds were developed throughout Co. Leitrim. The Dolan Cup was presented by the Dolan family, Shannon Lodge and Longford, for Minor competition in Leitrim, in memory of his friend Michael Dolan who died young. Georgie was well respected throughout Connacht and Ireland and he was Chairman of Connacht Council 1988-91 and National Trustee of the GAA from 1991. One of Leitrim's most prominent buslnessmen Georgie, was a very generous sponsor. During Fr Prunty's time, he donated the speakers and sound system in St Mary's Church, Annaduff. Anytime I asked Georgie for sponsorship for GAA or Annaduff Parish publications, it was given with a will and a smile. Predeceased by his wife Alma, in December 1995, Georgie is survived by his sister Mrs Veronica Kenny, nieces Martina and Bemadette and their husbands Gerry and Peter and families. To all of them we offer our deepest sympathies. He died in Sligo General Tuesday 24th June. The massive crowds who attended his removal and funeral were ample witness to the high regard in which he was held by everyone. We salute the passing of a very successful Annaduff man and a great Gael. Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam uasal Gaelach. Courtesy of the Leitrim Observer 04/07/2008 Tweet

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