Dargan, Malachy
November 08, 2005
The late Malachy Dargan
Death of the Tyrone GAA great of the 40's
One of the last surviving members of the Tyrone Minor team which won two All-Ireland titles in the late 1940's, has died aged 75.
Mr Malachy Dargan, of Moleworth Road, Cookstown,, played on the minor teams which won back-to-back titles in 1947 and 1948. Fellow players of the period included Barney Eastwood, also for, Cookstown; Eddie Devlin, a dentist in Dungannon, and the late Iggy Jones.
Malachy, who was also a member of the Tyrone Senior panel, played for St. Patrick's College, Armagh, during his student days. He also turned out regularly for Cookstown Father Rocks. A supporter of the GAA and Tyrone throughout his life, this football great of nearly half-a-century ago was very proud of his county's success at senior level in recent years when Sam Maguire Cup had twice found a temporary home in the land of the O'Neills.
Mr Dargan, a native of Cookstown, grew up in William Street where his family had a grocery shop and bar. He trained as a teacher, retiring at the age of 57 after 30 years as Principal of Creggan Primary School, Randelstown.
Married to the former Vera Meenagh, the couple had five children - a son Paul, now living in Santa Barbara, California, and four daughters Anne, Brenda, Jo and Maura.
He was the last surviving member of his own family having been predeceased by his sister Madge McCurry and brothers Benny and Jim Dargan.
The late Mr Dargan was courteous and friendly and he will be fondly remembered by the numerous friends made over the years whether in the classroom or on the playing fields.
For the record Tyrone defeated Mayo in the 1947 Minor All-Ireland final and accounted for Dublin in the 1948 final.
News of this GAA football legends death was received with regret not only in Tyrone but throughout Ireland and further afield.
Sympathy goes out to his wife, son and daughters, grandchildren and extended family circle.
The funeral to Holy Trinity Church, Cookstown, on Wednesday, November 30, was one of the largest seen in the town in recent years.
The attendance included members of the teaching profession, GAA representatives, past pupils, friends and neighbours.
Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Rev. Garret Campbell, C.C., and a family friend, Rev. Michael Conway, from Enniscrone, County Sligo.
Family members contributed to the Liturgy with a nephew and niece, Brian and Margaret Dargan, taking the Readings.
The Prayers of the Faithful were recited by Megan, Jamie and Mark Mairs, Malachy's only grandchildren.
Eldest daughter Anne, and only son, Paul, carried the Offertory gifts to the altar.
Contributing to the music were old friends of Malachy from Enniscron, daughter Jo, nephews Paddy and Larry Dargan, Enda Flannery and Des Egan.
Internment followed in Forthill, Cemetery, Cookstown.
Courtesy of the Mid Ulster Observer
8 December 2005
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