Very sad news arriving today concerning the passing of Navan O Mahonys stalwart Donal Fitzsimons.

Friendly and polite, Donal was a loved member of a family immersed in GAA activity. His father Noel was an outstanding hurler for Brownstown and Westmeath. Noel Fitzsimons is an ex Westmeath Hurler of the Year and acted as Brownstown club chairman.

Meanwhile father-in-law Pat Smyth has served as O Mahonys club chairman. Pat's son, Paddy, was a star wing forward on recent O Mahonys Keegan Cup winning sides.

The Meath senior hurlers that took on Offaly in the 1998 Leinster SHC at Croke Park. Front l-r: Ray Dorran, Mike Cole, Ger O'Neill, Fergus McMahon, Anton O'Neill, Donal Fitzsimons, Sean Kealy. Back l-r: Thomas Reilly, Paudie Guy, Dan Dorran, Joey O'Loughlin, Brian Carley, Mark Gannon, Paul Donnelly, Nicky Horan

Sadly Donal's mother-in-law Nuala Smyth passed away on March 7th just gone.

Besides representing his county, Donal Fitzsimons was a huge driving force behind the small ball game on Brews Hill, serving in many roles from top marksman to coach to hurling chairman.

Included alongside are fine tributes of Donal pieced together by both the O Mahonys and Brownstown clubs:

Donal is survived by his wife Aoife, sons Cormac, Cillian and Odhran, daughter Muireann, parents Noel and Ann, brother David, sisters Fiona and Claire and a wide circle of family and friends.

Funeral arrangements for Donal:

In accordance with government guidelines and HSE recommendations, a private Funeral Mass will be held for family members only on Friday in St. Mary's Church. For those who cannot attend Mass, it may be viewed on www.navanparish.ie/webcam at 10.30am. A private cremation wil take place that afternoon.

Donal's other club was Liverpool FC. How he would have loved to see Jordan Henderson hold aloft that coveted Premiership trophy. His support for the Anfield Reds is quite evident from his Twitter page.

Donal who had endured a long illness, made his final tweet last Saturday April 11th. So typical of the man. As on the hurling field he fought until the final whistle. He mentioned banana bread. Last Saturday was Donal Fitzsimons' 44th birthday. So sad but so, so, so brave.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

 

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