Sad news emerging from Louth this morning with the death of former star player Stephen Melia.

Fantastically fit, Stephen played for the Wee County over three decades, from 1985 to 2002.

Stephen was the lynchpin of his local club John Mitchells, situated in Ardee parish, for many years and guided the Mitchells to the Louth junior championship of 1992.

In later years and after a stint with Dublin club O Dwyers, Stephen Melia transferred to neighbours St Josephs and won a Louth senior championship medal with the Joes in 2006.

Present day kingpins St Pats were beaten in the decider and the now in his mid forties Melia played a lead role from his midfield berth.

Nobody in recent times has provided the Louth senior team with greater service and once the playing boots were retired, Stephen acted as a senior Wee County selector with manager Paddy Clarke in 2000/01 and again with Eamonn McEneaney in 2006.

A terrific athlete with a huge will to win, Stephen Melia commenced his Wee County senior career, usually as a left full back before becoming a regular fixture in the middle of the field.

He was good enough to play inter provincial football with Leinster, lining out for the province on numerous occasions. Not bad for a player who was never chosen to play for his county at minor level.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam,

Funeral details:

Funeral Mass takes place on Tuesday morning in S.S. Peter and Paul's Church, Balbriggan at 10.00am. Followed by burial in Balrothery Cemetery. Private removal.

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