Owen Roe O'Neill - a wonderful tribute to a man dedicated to Gaelic games

John Hughes of Aodh Ruadh CLG has shared this wonderful tribute to Owen Roe O'Neill, Ballyshannon, who passed away on Saturday:

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It is with immense sadness that we share the news that Uachtarán Aodh Ruadh CLG Owen Roe O'Neill has passed to his eternal reward.

Like his famous namesake, the victor of Benburb, Owen Roe could be described as a latter-day Gaelic chieftan. Born into a family steeped in Gaelic culture in Ballyshannon's East Port, Owen Roe was raised with a love and passion for both football and hurling.

As a talented dual player he quickly marked himself out as a rising prospect in both codes. Aged just 16 in 1956 he was part of the first Donegal team to win a minor Ulster title. In 1958 he went on to line out as Aodh Ruadh took on Burt in the county minor hurling final. That game was lost after a replay, but Owen Roe did go on to taste senior success, winning the county title with Erne Valley in 1964. A collection of hurlers from south Donegal with a strong Ballyshannon representation, they defeated Finn Valley in the decider.

With the larger ball he plied his trade in the attack, switching between half forward and full forward as conditions demanded. He lined out for the Aodh Ruadh seniors for a number of years while still in the minor ranks.

His obsession with games was such that while he was in his last year of minor he took on the post of Aodh Ruadh club secretary, a position he held for four years between 1958 and 1962. His son, Barry, continues that record of club service today having been appointed as club chairman this year.

In 1961 Owen Roe turned his talents to management and, alongside Val Wynne, helped steer the team to a county final victory against Dungloe, the club's first title at this grade since 1937. That team had a strong Bundoran contingent as the Seasiders didn't have a minor team that year. That sowed the germ of the idea in Owen Roe's mind for the possibilities of a Ballyshannon / Bundoran combination. It was a seed which was to bear unprecedented fruit.

Owen Roe became the driving force in bringing together the talents of towns and in 1963 an amalgamation of the two christened Saint Joseph’s lined out in the senior championship for the first time. They went on to sweep all in front of them, wining senior championship titles in 1965, 1968, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976.

Unofficial Ulster titles were claimed in 1967 and 1968 before a famous victory over Dunmore McHale's brought an unofficial All-Ireland Club title to the town. Saint Joseph's went on to claim the first official Ulster title won by a Donegal club in 1975.

During this period Owen Roe combined playing duties with his role as Saint Joseph's secretary, showing an artful aptitude for the board room sparring which was common at the time.

As Saint Joseph's disbanded towards the end of the 1970s, Owen Roe returned his focus to Ballyshannon. As ever, he had a special interest in hurling, but it will also be remembered that he was one of the driving forces behind the very successful town leagues which commenced about this time. These leagues helped to develop so many of the players who went on to star in a golden age for Aodh Ruadh football, starting with the senior championship wins of 1986 and 1987.

Meanwhile, in that other great nursery of Ballyshannon GAA talent, the De La Salle college Owen Roe served diligently for many years on the Board of Management, with his wife Maura also serving as Secretary of the Parent’s Association.

In latter years Owen Roe's support for the club remained as staunch as ever. He could be relied upon to sponsor a set of jerseys, and his Thursday quizzes were a reliable and steady stream of income for sub-committees in their fund-raising efforts. Owen Roe's special prize ensured everyone had a chance of going home happy.

In 2003 his contribution on and off the pitch saw Owen Roe inducted into the Aodh Ruadh Hall of Fame at the annual club dinner dance, a proud day for the O'Neill family as their patriarch took his place among the legends of Aodh Ruadh.

In 2014 he succeeded one of those legends, Jim 'The Natch' Gallagher as President of Aodh Ruadh. In that time he was a regular feature in Father Tierney Park and Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh, watching games, providing support and encouragement, presenting trophies when called upon and providing a visible testament of the continuity and values of this great club.

Witty, always ready with a humorous anecdote, vivacious, welcoming, a committed and devoted Gael, he embodied everything good about the family he came from, his homeplace and the games he loved with such a passion.

Even when in frail health he would make it his duty to be there at the door of the house in the Port, Aodh Ruadh flag in hand, waving and smiling at the cars carrying Ballyshannon teams back from county final victories for the celebratory beeping of the town.

As he passes to his eternal reward he will doubtlessly be following the fortunes of his beloved Aodh Ruadh from on high with that familiar impish smile playing on his lips.

Obviously at this sad time our thoughts are with the whole O'Neill family, Wife Maura, children, Owen Roe Jr, Shane, Barry and Louise, the wider clan and all their many friends. We extend them our heartfelt condolences in this time of sorrow.

Perhaps, however, it's fitting to leave the final words to the man himself.

"The battle cry of Aodh Ruadh rings strong tonight and for the players and stalwarts that are no longer with us - 'You may talk about your football teams from Stranolar to Gaoth Dobhair, Dungloe and Letterkenny, we beat them all before, we fear no army shock troops from counties great and small, we are the Ballyshannon Football Team, the Champs of Donegal."

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.