Tony Donoghue.

On Monday 12^th December we received the heartbreaking news of the passing of our great friend and clubmate Tony Donoghue. Tony was born with a heart of gold and a hurl in his hand; his love of hurling was second only to the love and dedication he had for his family. He arrived to the midlands from Portumna Co Galway as a member of An Garda Siochana and was initially stationed in Killucan for a number of years. While there he played hurling for Raharney and his fondness of the Joristown team was never hidden as was the respect that Raharney folk had for Tony.

In the early 1970’s Tony was posted to Mullingar Garda Station. Tony and family moved to Hillside Drive Mullingar. Pearses’ Hurling Club had just disbanded in Mullingar and Tony Donoghue recognised the need for a hurling club within the town. He arranged a meeting of a number of former Pearses’ members and local hurling enthusiasts, following this meeting Oliver Plunketts Hurling Club was formed in April of 1976. Tony worked diligently with the schools of Mullingar and with great help from local teachers and fellow hurling folk the clubs youth policy brought great glory for the Mullingar based club. One of Tony’s proudest moments was the winning of the clubs first underage title back in 1986 with the capture of the U16 championship title that year.

Tony also recognised the need for Oliver Plunketts to have their own facility and in 1988 with the help of a number of prominent club members and local business people, Robinstown was purchased and developed, to this day remains the home of Oliver Plunketts H.C. Fundraising is the hardest part of any Club’s duties but Tony never shirked from this responsibility. From the bingo nights in the County Hall and The Greville Arms Hotel to lotto and raffle ticket selling duties, Tony was at the forefront of each fundraising event. The respect that people had for Tony was evident by the number of tickets that he returned sold for any given draw or raffle.

There were some sad times within the club also, most notably the sad passing of club members John Joe Lynch, Ben Kelly and Paul “Podger” Daly. Tony steered the club through these sad and difficult times and he always noted that difficult times would make the club stronger. The club now faces its most difficult time; Tony’s passing leaves an enormous void within our Club. He was the father figure to all involved with Oliver Plunketts. It is our duty as club members to ensure that the club continues to grow for the youth and adults of Mullingar as this is what Tony strived to achieve during his fruitful time in Mullingar.

Tony’s removal and funeral took place on the 14th and 15th of December and the large numbers who attended was testimony to Tony’s legacy. People travelled from far and near in order to pay respect to this great character. To his wife Mary, family Kieran, Diarmuid, Sinead and Fergal, sisters, brothers, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and many loyal friends we offer our deepest sympathy and support. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.