Geraldine McLaughlin’s touching gesture brings a smile to Ruth McGrenra

Last Saturday evening at the Burn Road, the late Anthony McGrenea was remembered as Termon played Glenfin in Division 1 of the All-County Football League.

Anthony, who was 41, had passed away peacefully last Monday at Donegal Hospice. His funeral mass took place at St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny before his burial at Conwall cemetery on Friday. 

Down the years, Anthony, who lived at Listillion, Letterkenny, and originally from Carrick, Trentagh, had multiple roles within Termon GAA club - as club member, underage coach, player and executive member.

On Saturday, his wife Catherine (neé Boner, from Glenahilt, Burtonport) and three children - Ruth (9), Paul (8) and Neil (5) - and the wider family were invited as guests to the Burn Road.

All three children have a great interest in sport, with Paul and Neil, who are students at Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin in Letterkenny, footballers for Termon U-9s and U-6s respectively, as well hurlers with St Eunan’s, whilst also lining out for Illistrin FC and are members of Letterkenny Athletic Club.

Termon GAA club pays emotional tribute to the late Anthony McGrenra

Just a day after he was laid to rest, Termon GAA took to the field and remembered Anthony McGrenra, a man of 'influence, humour and gentle nature'

Ruth attends Illistrin National School also plays soccer with Illistrin FC and runs for Letterkenny AC. She is a keen Gaelic footballer herself as part of the Termon U-10 panel so the McGrenra name will shine on at the Burn Road with their father’s smile. 

Before the match on Saturday, Ruth was invited to the home of her hero Geraldine McLaughlin - Termon and Donegal’s All-Star forward - and presented with a jersey and training top, which meant the world to Ruth. 

The family are  incredibly appreciative of the gesture from Geraldine, the Termon GAA club and indeed the wider GAA, sporting and schools’ communities as a whole during Anthony’s illness and passing. 

At Anthony’s funeral,  Fr Michael McKeever from St Colmcille's Church in Glendowan read out a eulogy penned by Anthony’s friend Hugh Harkin, which was also read out by Eddie Harkin of Termon GAA club at the Burn Road. Termon and Glenfin’s panels stood for an impeccably observed minute’s silence, which was conducted by match referee Martin Coll.