Newtownstewart bids farewell to one of its ‘greatest-ever Gaels’

HUNDREDS of mourners attended St Eugene’s Church in Glenock last Tuesday for the Requiem Mass of one of Newtownstewart’s ‘greatest-ever Gaels’.

Naomh Eoghan club president, Patrick Gallagher, who passed away at his Mill Street home on Sunday surrounded by his loving family, was synonymous with gaelic games in his local parish for his entire life.

He firstly served as a player with Newtownstewart St Eugene’s, then as a manager and finally as a hugely-respected administrator.

He was also father of Naomh Eoghan’s current chair, Mairead.

His funeral service on Tuesday was led by Fr Roland Colhoun, who described Mr Gallagher as a man who had ‘the best of faith’ and who was ‘as solid as a rock and gentle as a lamb’.

Fr Colhoun said, “A man like Patrick is a gift to society because the civility he communicated is the king of courtesy the world needs.

“He was a dedicated GAA member for a lifetime, a prominent driver of St Eugene’s Club and all its projects.

“He represented the Tyrone Minors in 1956 – just the second Newtownstewart man to do so.

“He served the committee admirably for a lifetime, providing an unofficial taxi-service for players, making sure they got to training and returned home safely.”

‘GENTLEMAN’

Fr Colhoun concluded that Mr Gallagher was ‘a gentleman of sport’.

After Mr Gallagher’s passing on Sunday, Naomh Eoghan published a poignant tribute to him.

It read, “Patrick was a lifelong Gael and made a tremendous contribution to GAA life in our parish, the Gallagher household in Mill Street was the very essence of a GAA family.

“Patrick served in many roles from his early youth to his passing this morning.

“An accomplished player, he was the second person from the former Newtownstewart St Eugene’s to play for the County Minors, after the late great John Carlin, when Patrick lined out at left corner back in 1956.

“During a long and distinguished playing career Patrick also served year on year on the committee throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s. He would take on the role of treasurer in the early ‘80s and serve until the mid-‘90s.

“A publican and grocer by trade, Patrick wasn’t afraid to be recognised as a leading GAA person in the decades mentioned above, when it was far from fashionable.

“We have lost one of our greatest-ever Gaels, and whilst we mourn Patrick’s passing, we celebrate his life and his contribution which have made us so much better.”