The Late Maureen Kelly Dr. Maureen was a sister of Gerry O'Malley. Her late husband, Frank Kelly was an outstanding Roscommon footballer in the 1950's. An army officer, Frank was left half back on the Roscommon team that was defeated by Meath in the 1952 All Ireland semi-final, and by Armagh in the 1953 semi-final. Gerry O'Malley was centre back on the same team. They became brothers-in-law in 1958 when Maureen O'Malley married Frank. Frank made medical history in the early 1980's when he became the first patient ever in Ireland to undergo a liver transplant operation. Sadly, his body rejected the new liver and he died 18 years ago. The chief celebrant of the Funeral Mass in the Church of the Holy Child, Whitehall, was Maureen's nephew Fr. Donald McDonald, P.P., Ramsgrange, Co. Wexford. Maureen is survive by her daughters Mary, Ann and Margaret, son John, brother Gerry, and the wider family. Sympathies are extended to the bereaved family. Among the former Roscommon players I met at the funeral were Eamon Beades, father of ladies football star Mary, and Eamon Curley. Sadly Eamon was also bereaved recently with this death of this father in Taughmaconnell. Gerry O'Malley kindly invited me to join the family in the Skylon Hotel after the funeral by unfortunately I had to return to Athlone to a previously arranged appointment. I met Gerry's two sons, Niall and Conor, both staunch Dublin fans. I tried to convey to them how brilliant their father was when he was playing for Roscommon. For me, he was the greatest player ever to wear the famous primrose and blue jersey in my time watching Roscommon football. I don't expect to see his equal in my lifetime. Courtesy of the Roscommon Herald. June 2003 Tweet

Most Read Stories