'Formidable Footballer' - Ballyshannon mourns GAA hero Josie Boyle

Josie passed away peacefully at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, after a short illness surrounded by his family on Monday.

He was 82.

Fr John Moore told the congregation that everyone had their own memories of Josie who, despite being a deeply humble man, became a larger than life figure in and around the town he loved so well as a result of all his great deeds.

Fr Moore said Josie was the son of Lizzie Ellen and Patrick Boyle.

He was born on September 15 1944 and he attended De La Salle College Ballyshannon.

Josie was a handyman who could turn his hand to any job and often did.

"He worked for years at the MNC warehouse down The Mall and with Conor Carney in St Joseph's Primary School on The Rock.

Josie married his wife Marian in 1974 after meeting up with her at their workplace in the MNC.

He adored Marian and their love only grew stronger as the years went on.

"Josie was a proud GAA man all his life, a formidable footballer who won seven county titles with St Joseph's and played for the Donegal team who won their first Ulster title in 1972.

"He was also one of the few dual players of his day as he won two Donegal SHC titles in hurling as well and we have a hurley as well as a football brought as gifts to the altar this morning.

"But he was most loved as a coach, having trained many generations of Aodh Ruadh players, many of whom will be here this morning and who held him in the highest regard, not just as a manager who taught them so much about the game, but about life too.

"As a manager, he won the club's first underage Ulster title at minor level in 1993 and another with the U-15's in 1994.

"He was said by many to be way ahead of his time and he won three U-21 titles and three senior county titles with another club legend Sylvester Maguire."

But Josie was also a remarkable cyclist and once when visiting his son Mark, said he was going out for a cycle in the morning and by the time he came back for dinner, he had "only" cycled 170 kms.

"Bear in mind he was 73 years of age when he did that great feat.

"Josie also did mara cycles for charity and to raise money for Aodh Ruadh and for years he would fix bikes for every adult and child in the town and would not take a penny for it.

"In his later years he turned to walking and would meet quite a few of you up at Munday's Field or having the craic at the handball alley down The Mall.

"He was a great man for DIY and grew his own vegetables in his garden, but above all he loved life and never complained and was always very happy to help everyone.

"For Josie, his faith was shown through his actions in all aspects of his life as kind and compassionate man and was endlessly generous with his time."

Fr Moore then read a text from Maurice McLaughlin, a friend of Josie's which said:

"Josie Boyle was my coach with Aodh Ruadh and teams I managed for ten years and if one word summed up the man, it was humility.

"He was a man who gave so much with no expectation of reward, not just to the club but to the community and who helped shape so many lives of the young people of this town in a positive way."

Father Moore said Josie was able to bring out the best in the young people he coached and that was indeed a special gift.

Deeply regretted and missed by his beloved wife Marian, daughter Jean, son Mark (Marie Therese), his devoted grandchildren, Oisin (Ida), Ultan, Odhran, and Síofra, niece and nephew and extended Boyle and Quinn families.

Pre-deceased by his infant son John, granddaughter Cara and his parents brother and sister.

Josie was laid to rest in the Abbey Assaroe Cemetery.