Tributes paid to Christian Brother who made ‘lasting impression’

TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the last Christian Brothers to have taught at Omagh CBS.

A native of Co Westmeath, Brother Leo Ennis died on Thursday at the age of 88. He had been a teacher over many years, starting in 1957 and at various times over the subsequent five decades until his retirement.

Closely involved in the GAA, he won a Tyrone senior title with Omagh St Enda’s under an assumed name in 1963 and was also an influential figure in Ulster Schools GAA for many decades.

When Bro Ennis first came to the town at the age of 24 in 1957, ‘slates and chalk’ were still being used in the teaching of mathematics. He went on to witness the introduction of computers.

He was a familiar figure around the school and town long after his retirement, and remained involved with the its GAA teams.

The committee of Ulster Schools GAA, of which Bro Ennis was chairperson from 1983 until 2008, said that he had left a “lasting impression” in every school and community across Ulster with which he was involved.

“While we are all much sadder for his passing, we are thankful for his support and guidance over many, many years,” they said.

“Bro Ennis left a lasting impression in every school and community across Ulster and beyond which were graced by his presence, underlined by his steadfast passion for all things gaelic games.”

Tyrone All-Ireland winner, Ronan O’Neill, from Omagh, said that Bro Ennis had been a ‘huge influence’ on his career, while the St Enda’s GAA club also acknowledged his involvement with their team which won the county title in 1963.

“His loss will be keenly felt by his family and indeed by many across Ulster whom he coached, educated and encouraged to be the best they could be,” the club said.

“Bro Ennis was a star in his own right and had a significant impact on our own club as a player and committee member. He was a member of our senior football championship winning team who defeated Galbally in 1963, whilst in 1967 he was a member of the senior hurling team which defeated Benburb to bring the first senior hurling title to the club.”