Dooley, Desmond
October 31, 2004
The Late Desmond Dooley
The passing of Desmond Dooley, Clonoghill, Birr on the 15th of August last in the loving care of the matron and staff of the Regional Hospital, Tullamore was received with great sadness throughout Offaly.
Des was the son of the late John and Elizabeth Dooley and he was born in Crinkle in April 1920. Des was the youngest of the Dooley family and he had six other brothers. He attended school in Crinkle for a number of years before transferring to the Presentation Brothers in Moorpark. Having finished his national school education he completed a course in Business Studies at the Vocational School on the Railway Road, Birr.
He commenced working for DE Williams, Castle Street as a clerk before being transferred to the Belmont branch of Williams and later to Tullamore. He wet to America to his brothers Brendan and John who were residing in New York, where he worked for various companies. A friend of the family, Paddy Naughton provided a post with the New York Transport Company and he eventually became Manager of the Bus section of the company.
Des was one of Birr's and Offaly's greatest hurlers. From the age of five it was evident that he had exceptional hurling ability striking left handed or right handed. He hurled under 16 and under 18 for Birr, winning medals in both grades.
In 1938 Des, who was hurling as a minor for Birr, was chosen on the great Birr team of that era. Having won the minor title in 1938 he became an automatic choice on the senior team for the next ten years. He was chosen to play for Leinster in Railway Cup games. Regrettably Leinster were unsuccessful in those years.
The Birr team won the senior title in 1938 after a lapse of 23 years and he won senior titles in 1940, '43, '44, '46, '48.
He went to America in 1948 where he played for Offaly and New York and was chosen on the American team that toured Ireland during the 1950's. He was a member of the Offaly team that won numerous championships. He retired in 1955 and he never lost interest in hurling in either America or Ireland. He came home annually for the All-Ireland Finals.
He derived great pleasure from Offaly's successes especially those of 1981, 1985, 1994 and 1998 and Birr's four All-Ireland Club victories of recent years.
He had many other sporting interests, particularly, football, handball, snooker and tennis. He played tennis in America with great success.
Des married Eileen Martin of Banagher in New York in 1972. Having come home on numerous occasions on holidays they decided to come home to Ireland and bought a house in Clonoghill.
He was a very religious man, a great neighbour and acquired jobs for a number of Offaly people who came to New York to work.
Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife Eileen, brothers Edward, Joe, sister, Sr. Cornelia, OP, brother-in-laws, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
His remains were removed to St Brendan's church, Birr and following Requiem Mass burial was in Clonoghill Cemetery.
Courtesy of the Midland Tribune
October 2004
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