Passing of outstanding Claremorris teacher and GAA servant

THE death has taken place of Proinsias Ó Maolmhuaidh (Frank Molloy), Convent Road, Claremorris.

In a tribute to him, Claremorris GAA Club described him as one of its greatest servants.

The tribute, posted on the club's Facebook page, stated: “Over the past 60 years, or more, his contribution to the club has been second to none.

“He leaves a rich legacy of commitment to our club as a player, mentor, referee, selector, manager, administrator, Scór performer and mentor, Oifigeach na Gaeilge, fundraiser, colleague and friend.

“The club extends its most heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Josephine, daughters Karen and Eimear and son, Eamon. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

“Proinsias played underage for Claremorris and St Jarlath’s College, Tuam before making the breakthrough to the club’s senior team. He was a member of the 1964/65 and 1971 teams to win Mayo Senior championships.

“He played junior football until he was in his mid 50s and was the driving force behind Claremorris Masters teams who also won county titles. He was a manager to underage and junior teams for many years.

“On the inter-county front, Proinsias holds the unique record of being the only player to keep the great Sligo legend, Mickey Kearins, scoreless in an intercounty game. He was a selector with Mayo All-Ireland Minor teams and an accomplished and highly regarded referee. He was a dedicated member of the Squash Club in the GAA Complex and showed his competitive nature on each and every outing.

“Proinsias served at various times as president, chairman, secretary and trustee of Claremorris GAA Club. He excelled as a fundraiser, especially with regard to the Club Development Draw. He was involved in all the major development projects undertaken by the club.

“Bhí fíorghrá ag Proinsias don Ghaeilge agus do chúrsaí cultúrtha. Spreag sé an chumann chun Gaeilge a usáid agus ba eisean a chur Scór chun cinn sa pharóiste agus sa chontae. Chuir sé tús le Comórtas Tráth na gCeist Dhá-theangach sa chontae agus chaith sé na blianta mar Oifigeach na Gaeilge sa chumann agus sa chondae.

“Many young men in Claremorris and surrounding areas had the privilege of being taught by Proinsias in St. Colman’s College. (He had previously taught in Castlebar, where former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny was a pupil).

“Such was his enthusiasm for the Irish language that he inculcated a love of it among many of his students and a respect for it among many more who rarely used it. As a Cigire Scoile (Schools Inspector) he was an enlightened advisor to the teachers in his area. He formed Ógras as an Irish language youth club for the teens of the area.

“He also wrote “Athair na h-Athbheochana: Uilleog De Búrca” a biography of Canon Ulick Burke, parish priest of Claremorris and a leading light in the revival of the Irish Language Movement in the late 19th century, after whom the local Gaelscoil is named.

“Many of his pupils will have first heard the expression “Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann”(His like will never be seen again) from the mouth of Proinsias. In terms of his contribution to Claremorris GAA, there can be no more fitting epitaph.

“Leaba i measc na Naomh”.

His remains will be deposing at Gilligan’s Funeral Home, Market Square, Claremorris, on Tuesday (September 25) from 6 p.m. with removal at 8 p.m. to St. Colman’s Church, Claremorris.

Funeral Mass on Wednesday (September 26) at 12 noon, with burial afterwards in St Colman’s Cemetery.