‘A man of motion’: Finn Valley AC joint president Patsy McGinley laid to rest 

The funeral took place this afternoon of Finn Valley AC joint president Patsy McGinley.

A large crowd of Finn Valley AC members formed a guard of honour to welcome Patsy’s remains to St Columba’s Church in Doneyloop and floral tribute on behalf of the club was also laid on his grave. 

Fr Ciaran Hegarty, presiding at the funeral Mass, reflected on how the world Patsy left behind was very different from the world he was born into.

Late of Ballylast, Castlefin, Patsy McGinley was born in 1933 and passed away at the age of 92. 

Fr Hegarty recalled various elements of Patsy’s life and said: “So much about his life was about motion, one way of the other…He was a man who got you from A to B”.

Patsy was remembered as being “a Ballylast man through and through” and how he attended school in Clady before starting an apprenticeship at McHugh’s Bicyles in Strabane, beginning his association with the wheel.

Patsy drove for the County Donegal Railways (CDR) bus service and CIE busses - a job he held for 41 years.

“He was highly esteemed by his passengers and employers,” Fr Hegarty said. 

A gifted footballer who played for Lifford, Patsy was a “jack of all trades” and he had many interests that kept him occupied in retirement. A lifelong association with Finn Valley AC began in 1972 and he later became the club’s joint president, alongside Peadar McGranaghan.

In the early 1980s, Patsy was among the leading men behind the purchase of the old tool factory in Stranorlar, which became the Finn Valley Centre we know today, and he was also very proactive in engaging with Donegal County Council regarding the siting of the swimming pool at Finn Valley.

“Patsy McGinley was the very embodiment of Finn Valley AC,” Finn Valley AC chairman Dermot McGranaghan said. “From its earliest days, he gave his time, energy and wisdom selflessly, always putting the club and its people first. 

“His quiet determination helped shape not only our facilities but the spirit of community that defines Finn Valley AC to this day. Patsy never sought recognition, yet his influence is woven into the success the club has enjoyed over more than five decades. 

“On behalf of everyone associated with Finn Valley AC, I extend our deepest sympathies to Margaret and the entire McGinley family. We have lost a true gentleman and a key figure from our club.”

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Finn Valley AC founder Patsy McGonagle said: “Patsy was a loyal and committed member of Finn Valley AC since the earliest days. He was wholly involved in every aspect of the club. 

“As we built and progressed, Patsy was with the development step-by-step as a very active member. He was very highly regarded and will be very sadly missed.”

Patsy McGinley is survived by his wife, Margaret, their children Mary, Majella, Kevin, Raymond, Paul, Angela, Geraldine and Aidan, 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and a wide circle of family and friends.