Tributes paid to one of life’s gentleman and advocate of ladies’ football
Former Roscommon LGFA Chairperson, the late Michael Cunningham, who passed away earlier this week.
Tributes have been paid one of life’s gentleman who was a wonderful advocate of ladies’ football.
Michael Cunningham, Kilvaloon, Ballaghaderreen, passed away peacefully at Sligo University Hospital on April 15th.
A well-known and popular farmer alongside a former chairperson of Roscommon LGFA, he oversaw one of the most successful eras for ladies’ football in the county between 1998 and 2005 when Roscommon won two All-Ireland titles and were defeated in another final.
His highlight as Roscommon LGFA Chairperson was undoubtedly the county’s terrific All-Ireland junior football championship triumph in 2001 when the team, captained by Mary Beades, beat Kildare in Croke Park.
That team, management and officials forged an unforgettable bond of friendship, which has been maintained over the years. Next year will be the 25th anniversary of that triumph.
One of the players on that team, Regina Carley, recalled: “Michael was an integral part of the Roscommon LGFA set-up during our boom years 1998-2005.
“I believe he attended every match and always gave great encouragement to the team. Whether we won or lost Michael took the positives from every game. Every member of the team was so fond of Michael.”
Another tribute described him as a “lovely gentleman and a terrific supporter and advocate of ladies’ football.”
Roscommon LGFA also extended its deepest sympathies to the Cunningham family, adding that everyone’s “thoughts and prayers” were with them at this difficult time.
The late Michael Cunningham will be very sadly missed and remembered with love by his family — his wife Tess, son Michael, daughter Tracey, son-in-law John, daughter-in-law Zoe, grandchildren Aedan, Niamh, Emmett, Aoibhinn, Conal, Éanna, his brothers and sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours, and his many friends.
Michael will lie in repose in The Kilgarriff Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen, on Tuesday evening, April 22nd from 6 p.m. with removal at 8 p.m. to the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St. Nathy, Ballaghaderreen, arriving at 8.30 p.m. (via Knocknacunny and Kilvaloon).
Mass of the Resurrection Wednesday at 11 a.m. with burial afterwards in Kilcolman Cemetery.
May Michael Rest In Peace.
