McShea's Say: Aodh Ruadh bids farewell to a legend in Owen Roe O'Neill

Ballyshannon lost one of its favourite sons last Saturday with the passing of Owen Roe O’Neill.  

To his wife Maura, his three sons Barry, Owen Roe, and Shane, his daughter Louise, and his 10 adored grandchildren, our deepest sympathies are extended on their very sad loss. 

Owen Roe simply adored his family, and he was immensely proud of them. Maura was his soulmate and his very best friend.  

He was president of Aodh Ruadh, a position he was extremely proud to hold, while his son Barry is the current chairman of the club. 

During a distinguished playing career, Owen Roe won an Ulster Minor Championship medals, several Donegal senior championship and league medals, and numerous hurling honours.  

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Indeed, hurling is thriving in Ballyshannon today, and the man responsible for this positive development was none other than Owen Roe, who worked tirelessly to promote all things GAA. 

He commanded universal respect among his peers, and from a very young age, it was clear he possessed all the qualities of a natural leader.  

While he embraced technological advances and considered all things to be of merit, he remained old school in certain aspects. For him, the GAA was about much more than personal glory — it was deeply tied to his national identity. 

Like all parents, Owen Roe was a hard worker, as evidenced by his business success. He was also competitive, driven, and a straight talker — his word was his bond. His photographic memory for GAA occasions of the past was incredible, and his sporting intelligence was remarkable.  

His vast collection of GAA stories was captivating, and he never subscribed to the notion that a golden age had passed. 

He believed that despite rule changes and tactical innovations, the essence of the game remained the same: the challenge of physique, courage, skill, and intelligence. He loved the fact that hurling and football were not just contests between teams but also individual battles. 

In the GAA, memories of great contests often invite comparisons. Players and teams are judged not only by their achievements but also against those of the past. Having shared a pitch with Owen Roe, I can say with absolute conviction that despite all the modern adjustments and rule changes, his class and ability in both hurling and football would have made him a standout player in any era. 

On Sunday evening, as he returned from Sligo, I felt proud to witness the hundreds of men, women, and children — many dressed in their Aodh Ruadh colours — form a guard of honour for Owen Roe and his family as the cortege made its way to his home in East Port. 

As I watched Donegal display exceptional courage in defeating Derry at Fr Tierney Park later that day, it seemed fitting to think that Owen Roe was watching over them from above.  

The excellent pitch and dressing rooms, praised by many who attended the game, are a testament to the centrality of the GAA in Ballyshannon and communities across Ireland. Owen Roe would have been very proud of ‘The Town He Loved So Well’ last Sunday. 

The GAA’s significance to so many communities is something to be celebrated, and Owen Roe O’Neill played a massive role in ensuring that Aodh Ruadh remains a special club dedicated to all things Irish. 

May he rest in peace. 

Donegal’s desire was admirable 

On Sunday evening, with 10 minutes remaining in Donegal’s league game against Derry in Ballyshannon, few among the 7,000 in attendance would have predicted a home win.  

Donegal looked off-colour, and many players seemed to be running on empty. 

To get back into the game, Donegal needed a goal. After missing several gilt-edged chances, it appeared their race was run. But once again, the brilliance of Michael Murphy proved decisive. 

After setting up two golden goal-scoring opportunities with passes of exceptional quality — both of which were missed — Murphy delivered a third to Shane O’Donnell. This time, the Letterkenny forward simply could not miss, such was the precision of Murphy’s pass. 

We are running out of superlatives for the Glenswilly man, but Michael Murphy is simply an extraordinary footballer. When he came on, he took control of the game. His performance was incredible. 

There are good players who shine when the pressure is off, and then there are great players who deliver when their team needs them most. Michael Murphy is a great player. 

Derry, despite missing six of their selected starters, were the better team in the first half and led 0-11 to 0-7 at the interval. 

In his post-match interview, Donegal manager Jim McGuinness made several relevant points. He questioned how the league sponsors would feel about the ongoing debate surrounding teams’ reluctance to qualify for the league final due to the proximity of championship football. 

He also stated that he would prioritise his players’ welfare in the upcoming games against Tyrone and Mayo, as well as in a potential league final. 

After seven league games in eight weeks, it is wholly unfair to expect any team to play a championship match just one week later. This is a major flaw in fixture planning and must be addressed before next year’s league campaign. 

A rising talent for Donegal 

When I saw young Peter McEniff play top-class football for his club, St Eunan’s, some time ago, I believed he had all the attributes to become part of the Donegal squad. 

I was unaware that he was abroad, but I was not at all surprised to read that he had won the Donegal Player of the Year award for his performances in the New York championship this year. 

This is undoubtedly good news for Donegal. With youth on his side, should he return home? He could be a real asset to Donegal football.