Westmeath GAA is mourning the passing of Dom Murtagh, who is considered to be among the greatest midfielders the county has ever produced.

The Downs colossus formed a famous centre-field partnership with the late Mick Carley for both club and county in the 1960s and early 1970s. He captained The Downs to a three in-a-row of Westmeath SFC titles and went on to win three more with the black and ambers, who are going in search of their 11th against Coralstown/Kinnegad this Sunday.

In a heartfelt tribute, The Downs said: “It was with great sadness that we learned of the sad passing of one of the most iconic players that The Downs GAA club has ever produced.

“Dom Murtagh was arguably one of the best players ever to have donned the famed black and amber jersey and indeed the maroon and white of Westmeath. The pairing of Mick Carley and Dom Murtagh in the midfield position was one of the finest that Westmeath and The Downs has ever produced.

“In the National League semi-final of 1969 (Division 1 in today’s money), Murtagh and Carley gave a five-star performance against the mighty Kerry. The great Mick O Connell, whom Murtagh was pitted against that day, stated that he had not encountered a better opponent than Murtagh, in his career. Very high praise indeed from one of the greatest midfielders of all-time. Dom was also awarded the Sports Star of the Week for his performance in the quarter-final of the League against Down that same year.

“For a big man, Dom had the deftness of touches and an array of skills to outwit most opponents. He had the heart of a lion and was one of the finest exponents of kicking the ‘dead ball’. I clearly recall his conversion of 60-yard free versus Moate All-Whites the 1970 SFC. What was unusual about this was he scored the free kick but had to retake it, nonetheless the result was the same, this was indicative of his calmness under pressure!

“Dom had a long career in the Black and Amber and with Westmeath. He was an integral part of the 1964 Junior Championship winning team which put The Downs back into the senior ranks, where they have remained ever since. This win was the catalyst for a glorious chapter in the club’s senior history.

“Dom went on to captain the Senior teams famous three in a row success 1968 to 1970 . He went on to add another three senior titles to his collection along with Feis Cup and Senior League medals in equal quantity. He also won two senior championships in New York where he lined out at midfield with Frank McGuigan for the Tyrone team, before he brought down the curtain on an illustrious 25-year career in senior football.

“Dom Murtagh was synonymous with The Downs and Westmeath, and no matter where one travelled when you mentioned The Downs/ Westmeath, invariably Murtagh’s name came up in conversation.

“We extend our sincere sympathy to his family, his extended family, relatives and friends.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

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