Sad passing of Bundoran native, Bishop-Emeritus of Clogher Liam MacDaid 

The death has been announced of Bundoran native, Bishop Liam MacDaid, Bishop-Emeritus of Clogher, who was also a well known footballer at club and county level in his younger days.

Bishop MacDaid was Bishop of Clogher from 2010 until his retirement on health grounds was accepted by Pope Francis in October of 2016. He was 78 years of age. 

He was a native of Bundoran, growing up in the West End of the resort. He was previously the President of St Macartan’s College, Monaghan and Administrator of the Parish of Tyholland as well as serving in the roles of Diocesan Secretary and Chancellor of the diocese.

He attended primary school at St Louis Infant School and St Macartan's National School, and secondary school at St Macartan's College. 

Deceased began studying for the priesthood at St Patrick's College, Maynooth in 1962, later graduating with honours in Celtic studies in 1965 and sacred theology in 1968 before being ordained in June of 1969.

He was a prominent member of the Bundoran GAA club for many years and won football championship medals at junior and Intermediate level, as well as multiple senior football championship medals with the famous amalgamation of Bundoran and Ballyshannon. 

Bishop McDaid also represented Donegal county teams at all grades, including senior. 

In 2019, Bishop MacDaid was inducted into the Hall of Fame by his local GAA club, Realt na Mara, Bundoran, an award he modestly accepted, by saying that he had been surrounded by an exceptional team of talented footballers, during his playing years.  

Reacting to his death, former Donegal manager and footballer Brian McEniff, recalled a good friend and teammate in his weekly Donegal Democrat column, Mac’s View:

He said:

“He was not a bad footballer and gave a lot of good performances. He played minor, U-21 and got a few runs as a senior for Donegal. I remember him coming on as a sub in the National League semi-final against Offaly in 1969. 

“That made it five Bundoran men on the field for Donegal at the same time - Seamie Granaghan, Declan O’Carroll, Bernard Brady and myself, being the others.

“Liam played in the first leg of the All-Ireland club final against Dunmore McHales in 1968 but had to go back to Maynooth and wasn’t allowed out for the second leg in Tuam.  

“He would have played for St Joseph’s in the Ulster Club final against Castleblayney in 1975 and I remember when Bundoran picked up a few suspensions and injuries in 1977, I got himself and Declan O’Carroll out of retirement to play for us to win the Donegal Intermediate Championship. Ar dheis Dé ar a hanam.”