Search Results for 'Donal McEllin'

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has warned members of the public involved in boating and marine leisure pursuits at all levels of competence and experience that the consumption of alcohol adds to the associated risks.

The showpiece occasion in Mayo football will be tinged with sadness following the recent deaths of Ger Feeney and Donal McEllin. But what better way to honour the memory of the two men than this Sunday’s clash between Castlebar Mitchels and Ballintubber in the county senior final in McHale Park.

The elected members of Mayo County Council paid tribute this week to the two victims of the drowning tragedy off Inishboffin. As a mark of respect to the late Ger Feeney and Donal McEllin, the council adjourned their monthly meeting at 5pm last Monday.

I was walking to Mass last Sunday morning when a friend stopped me in my tracks to give me the dreadful news of the untimely and tragic deaths of Ger Feeney and Donal McEllin. It was news that left me devastated and for a moment I wasn’t sure whether I would carry on to Mass or not. But I did and it offered me an opportunity to reflect and think about both men. This undoubtedly was one of Castlebar’s saddest weeks in a long time, and God knows we have had a few sad occasions in recent times. Both men possessed big personalities and were hugely popular locally and throughout the county. They were also influential figures in the daily happenings of the Castlebar Mitchell’s GAA club, Ger as a coach/ manager of several teams down through the years and Donal as a do-gooder whenever required. Time spent in the company of either man was always memorable, usually enlightening and occasionally full of incident! Throughout this past week we have gathered at different times and locations to reminisce about both men. Judging by the enormous crowds witnessed at both men’s funerals it is remarkable how their sudden passing resonated with so many. Ger was also revered in the history of Ballintubber football and I have heard many these past few days talk about his incredible strength, energy, fearlessness and manliness when donning the colours of Ballintubber. Of course he lined out with Mayo and is one of a few who has the distinction of winning All -Ireland medals at both minor and under- 21 level. It was well known that Ger idolised his family and was enormously proud of their many achievements. He was particularly proud of the fact that both Castlebar Mitchell’s and Ballintubber had made it through to this year’s senior final. In his house he couldn’t lose as both Alan and Richard are playing with the Mitchels and nephew John is lining out with Ballintubber. Also, Alan and cousin John are both captains on their respective teams. In fact Ger even had a specially commissioned jersey made of both teams’ colours for the final.

As family and friends struggle to come to terms with the deaths of two men who drowned off Inisbofin, Co Galway, at the weekend investigations into how the tragedy occurred are continuing.

The town of Castlebar has been plunged into mourning following the news that two popular figures lost their lives in an accident off Inishbofin island early on Sunday morning. The bodies of former Mayo footballer, Ger Feeney (55) , The Oaks, Castlebar and business man Donal McEllin (64), Maryland, Castlebar were found in waters off Inishbofin over the weekend.

McHale Park has been a home away from home for all those who have ever been involved in covering sports for local media in Mayo since the Castlebar grounds opened its doors in 1931, when Mayo took on Kildare at the grounds official opening. With the rain spilling down from an overcast spring afternoon last Friday the current day members of the local press corps were given a guided tour of the ambitious new development that has been undertaken at the famous old grounds. Led by Mayo GAA Board chairman James Waldron, the sheer size and ambition of the project became apparent. The old stand offered seating for 4,482 people with only 2,500 of those fully covered, had bad sight lines, and was far from the standards that you would expect from a modern ground. The new stand will see the capacity of the stadium go from an existing capacity of 35,482 up to 41,217, with the new stand offering 9,685 fully covered seats, the stand will stretch the full length of the pitch on the Sportlann side.