Death of Fr John O Donnell

Fr John O Donnell who died last night was elected Vice President of Bord Luthchleas na h-Eireann at the 1975 Congress and succeeded the late Bill Coghlan as President at the Congress in Sligo five years later. He served in this position for three years and handed over the Presidency to the late Paddy McGovern in December 1983.

Fr John was born in Kilmacrennan in Donegal in August 1938 and was ordained for the diocese of Kilmore at Maynooth in 1964 where one of his classmates was Cardinal Sean Brady with whom he remained a close friend down the years. He was appointed to teach science at St Michael’s College, Cootehill, in 1965 and held that position on the staff of the new St Aidan’s Comprehensive School until 1973 when he was moved to the newly opened Comprehensive School in Manorhamilton.  In 1984 he became curate in  Teemore, Co Fermanagh, and eleven years later became Parish Priest of Killinagh (Blacklion) where he spent the remainder of his priestly career until he retired on health grounds some years ago.

A tireless worker in the cause of athletics he was prominent in the leadership of the Ulster Sports Council which promoted athletics in Ulster following the formation of BLE in 1967 and having held position of President and treasurer was involved in numerous meetings, discussions and activities in the early years leading up to total athletics unity in 2000. In Leitrim he was prominent in the setting up of the North Leitrim Club and was first Chairman of Leitrim County Board in 1974.

His abiding legacy in  Manorhamilton is the all weather track at the Community School which he masterminded in the mid 1970s and with Claremorris and Lanesboro was among the first all weather tracks in Connacht. He also played a prominent role in the Connacht Schools Athletics Association during his time in Manorhamilton. An avid fan of International Athletics he attended the ten Olympic Games between Munich in 1972 and Beijing in 2008 and was sorry to have had to miss the London Games due to ill health.

A very conscientious and hard working priest he was also prominent and indeed prime mover in many areas of social and community activities in the two parishes in which he served and he left behind him a legacy of visible achievement in both.

MAY HE REST IN PEACE

Arrangements

Fr O Donnell’s remains will repose at his home in Blacklion (Belcoo Road) from 6 00 this evening until tomorrow evening until removal St Patrick’s Church, Killinagh,Blacklion, Co Cavan at 8 00 p.m.   Funeral Mass Saturday at 12.00 noon.