Andrew O’Donnell gave a lifetime of service to Thomas Davis GAA Club
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A STALWART of Thomas Davis GAA Club, who sadly passed away on Saturday, has been fondly remembered by club members as being a dedicated and helpful friend.
Andrew O’Donnell, who was in his early 70s when he passed away over the weekend, was a familiar face to many in the club over the years, where he filled various roles with enthusiasm and commitment.
The late Andrew O'Donnell (right) presenting the Thomas Davis GAA Senior Football Player of The Year Award to Shane McGrath in December 2017
At the time of his passing, Andrew was the club secretary, but his involvement in the club began when he was a young boy and was a member of the Thomas Davis juvenile team, which at the time was known as St Dominic’s.
The Old Bawn man’s involvement in the club never waned, and over the years he has been chairperson of the many of the club’s subcommittees, and he also mentored teams alongside his twin brother Christopher.
With his brother, he mentored a team who went on to win the Dublin Junior Football Championship in 1982, and alongside Declan Douglas, his was instrumental in his teams winning three county and two Leinster Senior Football Club titles.
David Griffin, the assistant secretary of Thomas Davis, told The Echo: “Andrew had a very good personality. He was very amenable towards everybody, always willing to help and listen.
“He served two or three terms as chairman, served as secretary twice, and he was a team mentor.
“Anything he did, he gave it 100 per cent. Everybody is devastated, Andrew was well liked by everybody in the club.”
Andrew’s family have also been heavily involved in the club for decades, with has father Hugh having previously been on the club’s executive committee until he passed away in the 60s, while his twin brother Christopher is currently on the committee.
Dominic Finnegan, chairman of Thomas Davis, said: “It was as a club administrator where Andrew excelled.
“Meticulous in all his dealings with club correspondence, and a robust and fair chairperson.
“Andrew was also on the club development committee when the club moved from the village to Kiltipper Road.
“He gave an absolute lifetime [of] service to the club and, as chairman of the club, I would like to say that he will be sadly missed for his wise counsel on all matters relating to the club.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h’anam.”
On his death notice on RIP.ie, Andrew was described as “the beloved husband of Pauline (Paul) “Best Friend Always” and dear father of Sinéad, Hugh and Andréa.
“Sadly missed by his loving family, wife, son and daughters, granddaughters Nicole and Chloe, twin brother Christopher, sisters Mary, Cepta and Róisín, special sister in-law Dell, brothers in-law, sisters in-law, son in-law Mark, Sinead’s partner Shiro, Hugh’s partner Aaron, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.”
Reposing at his home on Wednesday (16 October) from 4pm – 7pm.
Removal on Thursday (17 October) evening to St. Mary’s Priory, Tallaght, arriving at 5pm. Funeral on Friday (18 October), after 11am Mass, to St Maelruain’s Cemetery, Tallaght. Donations, in lieu of flowers, to the Irish Heart Foundation.
