Friends and former colleagues remember Cormac McGill Staff and colleagues at the Longford Leader were deeply saddened to learn of the death of our colleagues and good friend, Cormac McGill, after a long battle with illness. Cormac was a larger than life personality in many ways and as this paper's correspondent for the Leitrim area, he enjoyed a local following especially in matters pertaining to the GAA. His weekly duties also included the local news from Dromod, a unique round-up of local events and happenings that was read near and far, not least of all on account of Cormac's well founded reputation for speaking his mind. He was ruthless when it came to litter, speeding or excess development - basically anything that impinged on the quality of life in his beloved Dromod. We all remember his beautiful tribute to the late Jimmy O'Connor the celebrated publican in the Leitrim village and I've no doubt that both men and many of the great GAA names of yesteryear are now reunited in heaven and reliving the great games of old. It is more than a year now since Cormac last contributed to the paper but he was delighted to write an article for us in advance of Bornacoola's recent Co Final appearance. Sadly he had to be updated on the match proceedings from his Dublin hospital bed and it would have been a glorious parting tribute to him, had his son Fergal (in goals that day) and many more of his former pupils been able to win a historic county title for his adopted club. Cormac was a teacher by profession and he is fondly remembered in Drumlish where he taught for several years. He taught in a number of Leitrim schools as well and he will be remembered by many a fine teacher and a man who left all with at least a fondness if not a passion, for one of his own great loves - the Irish language. It seemed that no Dromod notes were ever complete without a 'cupla focal as Gaelic' from the great Gaelgoir and long before the Irish Times felt compelled to introduce an Irish column, Cormac was ploughing a lonely furrow with the Leader. If Cormac was well known, respected and admired in these parts, he was idolised in his beloved, native Donegal where his weekly 'Follower' column in the Donegal Democrat was essential reading and was certainly the pulse of the organisation in Tir Connaill. It might have been one of the worst ever All-Ireland's but Cormac McGill didn't mind and I have no doubt that he was still reliving Donegal's famous Sam Maguire victory of 1992 on his death bed. Cormac was a great servant of Leitrim GAA and he served in a number of positions at club, county and Cumann na mBunscol level. He was a great supporter of the Scor movement and he travelled all over the country to adjudicate and help keep this often overlooked side to the GAA alive and well. Cormac was a fiercely proud Irish man and he certainly wore his politics and convictions on his sleeves. He relished all things Irish and he delighted in the rich culture and tradition of song, music and dance that so easily sets us apart from other nationalities. We all have fond memories of Cormac McGill. We remember when he was ostracised to the old library in the Leader's Market Sq offices because he was the only staff member smoking. T'was a cold and inhospitable spot but we all journeyed there regularly to exchange pleasanties or diatribes with the 'big man'. There was a time in the late 1990s when the British ambassador was visiting Longford and she asked if she could visit the Leader. Then managing editor, Eugene McGee cordially extended an invitation but the British representative got the tour of the Leader without the presence of Cormac, who refused to attend on a point of principle. He found himself a quiet corner in the Market Bar until the 'old enemy' had passed. Subsequent illness meant that Cormac was no longer able to travel up from Dromod a few days a week to work in the Leader office an so he started to work from home. For him modern technology and the advent of the internet was a revelation and to the surprise of us all, he quickly embraced the workings of this new way of life. If Cormac loved Donegal, the GAA and all things Irish, they were all however superseded by the great love of his life - his family. His wife, Mary was was a wonderful companion and friend to Cormac over the years and in later years as illness took its toll, she showed tremendous resolve and love for her husband. I have no doubt that Cormac would have done the same because the two loved each other dearly. Their pride and joy are their three children, Neasa, Fergal and Ailbhe. Cormac always delighted in updating us on the latest family news and he was especially pleased when Fergal for a job in the PR/media centre at Croke Park. Indeed it was especially sad that Fergal was in Australia with the Compromised Rules team when his father passed away. Neasa flies the family flag in London where she is a solicitor whilst Cormac's greatest friend and pal was undoubtedly his daughter, Ailbhe. When he was able bodied they travelled everywhere together and her father's death is a sad loss to a very special woman. Cormac's death makes the closing of a chapter in the history of the Leader and as family and friends gather to pay their respects this week, his many friends at the Leader and his loyal readers remember 'The Follower'. Courtesy of The Longford Leader 28 October 2005 Tweet

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